The amino acid arginine is present in beef, fish, poultry, eggs and dairy products, and you can also find it in supplemental form at many nutrition stores. Arginine's most crucial function is the production of nitric oxide, which your body cannot create on its own. Many of the positive and proven effects of arginine derive from nitric oxide.
Cardiovascular Benefits
Nitric oxide relaxes your blood vessels, making arginine a useful supplement if you suffer from various cardiovascular diseases. If you suffer from congestive heart failure, angina or are recovering from a heart attack, arginine may be useful on its own or in conjunction with other medications. You should never attempt to self-treat for these serious conditions, and should only take or increase arginine intake at the direction of your doctor.
Sexual Dysfunction
Some research indicates that the nitric oxide effect of arginine may also be useful in the treatment of both male and female sexual dysfunction. Some small double-blind and placebo-controlled studies have shown mild benefits for the treatment of erectile dysfunction with doses around 5 g per day, but lower doses had less effect. Similarly, one study involving postmenopausal women demonstrated that physically measurable arousal levels increased with arginine, though the women in the study did not report feeling more aroused. Because your body may adjust to raised nitric oxide levels naturally, it is unclear if arginine actually treats sexual dysfunction.
Growth Hormone Release
Bodybuilders use arginine along with other supplements to improve muscle growth from weight training. A 2010 study published in the "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research" examined the combination of arginine with another amino acid, orthinine, to promote the release of growth hormone. Though the study only examined nine supplement subjects and eight placebo subjects, the researchers concluded that growth hormone and the insulin-like growth hormone factor-1 show significant increases when you combine arginine with orthinine before heavy resistance training.
Additional Effects
Research is still under way to determine whether arginine can play any role in bolstering the immune system or treating hypertension, hardened arteries, interstitial cystitis and infection. Arginine supplements are generally safe to consume, but may lead to negative side effects such as nausea and diarrhea if you take them in high doses. In addition, arginine may have contraindications with some types of drugs. Always talk to your doctor before taking any supplement.
References
- Bodybuilding; Clayton's Health Facts--L-Arginine; Clayton South
- New York University Langone Medical Center: Arginine
- "Journal of Nutrition"; L-arginine and hypertension; Noyan Gokce; October 2004
- "Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research"; Arginine and Ornithine Supplementation Increases Growth Hormone and Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Serum Levels; A. Zajac et al.; April 2010
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