Possible Side Effects Of L-proline

L-proline belongs to the group of non-essential amino acids. The mammalian tissue synthesizes its own non-essential amino acid sources; hence, the name "non-essential." L-arginine serves as the precursor of L-proline, a basic amino acid found in red meat, fish, dairy products and poultry. According to a notification of nutritional support statement passed by Source Naturals, Inc. to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2000, patients with low protein intake and vegetarians may have a hard time having an optimal synthesis of L-proline within their bodies because of decreased arginine levels.

Neurological Problems

The intake of L-proline may lead to the development of neurological problems such as seizures and intellectual disability in patients with hyperprolinemia, a rare genetic condition caused by the excesses in proline levels, according to the Genetics Home Reference of the National Institutes of Health. However, hyperprolinemia may also occur even without the presence of the said genetic predisposition. If you suffer from malnutrition and liver disease, you may also experience hyperprolinemia-related problems, resulting in the development of neurological symptoms. If you have high levels of lactic acid in your blood, you are also predisposed to hyperprolinemia, because lactic acid inhibits the breakdown of proline. Proline supplementation should not be taken in such cases.

Gastrointestinal Effects

Nausea and decreased food intake sometimes occur with high levels of L-proline intake, according to the final memo for nonclinical pharmacology and toxicology passed by CSL Behring AG to the Department of Health and Human Services of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These gastrointestinal symptoms are due to the low-level toxicity produced by excessive, prolonged L-proline intake. However, taking L-proline at the recommended dosage is considered safe.

Hypotension

Hypotension, or decreased blood pressure, can happen in patients taking L-proline supplementation. In a study published in the November 2010 issue of the "Nutrition Journal," researchers noted that proline-rich milk protein has the ability to significantly decrease blood pressure readings, making it a good supplement for patients with mild hypertension. Furthermore, as mentioned by DailyMed, the drug information archive website of the National Institutes of Health, L-proline is one of the active ingredients of Enalaprilat injection, an effective anti-hypertensive medication. Thus, because of the possible hypotension this amino acid supplement can cause, if you are taking other anti-hypertensive medications, you should be cautious about the possible severe blood pressure reduction this food supplement may produce. Furthermore, if you have decreased blood pressure readings to start with, you must also be cautious about possible hypotensive effects.