L-arginine is an amino acid, or a protein building block, that is naturally produced by the body. It is also present in a number of foods including cottage cheese, yogurt, beef and wheat germ. L-arginine is involved with the production of new cells and, therefore, increases repair to damaged tissues in the body. Also, l-arginine has protective effects on the lungs and can help improve several lung-related diseases. However, those affected with lung problems should seek the advice of a medical professional before trying to prevent, treat or cure any lung condition on their own.
COPD
COPD is a condition that leads to chronic inflammation of the lungs that impairs airway function, making breathing difficult. The condition also destroys lung tissue. Emphysema is an outcome of COPD that limits the amount of airflow when a person breaths out. PGP is a substance that is involved in the development of emphysema-related symptoms in the airways. L-arginine binds to PGP, preventing it from causing airway changes, according to an article published in 2008 in the "FASEB Journal."
Pulmonary Hypertension
Living at high altitudes or having a lung infection can lead to pulmonary hypertension. Pulmonary hypertension is the occurrence of high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs and also affects the right side of the heart. The arteries become hard, blocked or destroyed and this makes blood flow difficult. The condition becomes progressively worse and can lead to death. The right side of the heat must continually work harder to supply the lungs with blood; this ultimately leads to heart failure. L-Arginine supplementation can regulate the production of PGP, thereby reducing the risk for pulmonary hypertension, according to an article published in 2009 in the "American Journal of Physiological Lung Cell Molecular Physiology." Specifically, L-arginine has been found to increase the length of arteries. Also, it can prevent damage and destruction to arteries caused by pulmonary hypertension.
Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic fibrosis affects various organs of the body, but in the lungs, it is more likely to lead to patient death. Cystic fibrosis in the lungs includes the chronic infection and inflammation of the lungs. L-arginine is a substrate, or molecule upon which chemical reactions occur, required for the synthesis of nitric oxide, according to an article published in 2010 in the "The Open Nitric Oxide Journal." Nitric oxide is a gas needed by the lungs to help maintain bronchomotor tone, or the condition of bronchial muscles. Also, a lack of nitric oxide in the lungs leads to an increased susceptibility to bacterial infections of the airways.
References
- "The FASEB Journal": Induction of Lung Emphysema is Prevented by L-Arginine-Threonine-Arginine
- "American Journal of Physiological Lung Cell Molecular Physiology": L-Arginine Promotes Angiogenesis in the Chronically Hypoxic Lung: A Novel Mechanism Ameliorating Pulmonary Hypertension
- "The Open Nitric Oxide Journal": L-Arginine Deficiency in Cystic Fibrosis Lung Disease
Member Comments