Researchers Louis Ignarro and Robert F. Furchgott discovered the first substantial link between nitric oxide and cardiovascular health in the 1990s and received the Nobel Prize in Medicine for their work in 1998. Since that discovery, researchers continued to examine nitric oxide's effect on specific conditions, such as hypertension. As of the publication of this article, some research points to the amino acid l-arginine as a way to increase nitric oxide levels in your body.
L-Arginine Effect
L-arginine acts as a precursor to nitric oxide along with the amino acid l-citrulline. As the enzyme nitric oxide synthase oxidizes these two amino acids, nitric oxide occurs as a byproduct. Ignarro states that l-arginine is the far more important amino acid in this reaction. It is through this mechanism that researchers feel l-arginine has the potential as a supplement to reduce high blood pressure.
Nitric Oxide Effect
The benefit of raised nitric oxide levels is that nitric oxide is a main contributor to vasodilatation, meaning that it relaxes the veins and arteries of your cardiovascular system so they become wider passageways for blood. As the passages of your cardiovascular system widen, blood flows more freely through your body and your blood pressure will lower.
L-Arginine Supplementation
Some studies have examined the effects of high-dose l-arginine for lowering blood pressure. In 2004, a comprehensive review of l-arginine studies for hypertension appeared in the "Journal of Nutrition." Professor Noyan Gokce of the Boston University of Medicine states that these studies do demonstrate, though not conclusively, that l-arginine supplements reduce systemic blood pressure. However, most of these studies have been small trials and more randomized and cross-sectional research is needed.
Nitric Oxide Inactivation
High blood pressure can be a self-perpetuating cycle. As your blood pressure rises, free radicals and reactive oxygen species increase. These harmful molecules cause nitric oxide to become inactive, thus further raising your blood pressure and exacerbating the issue, one study at the University of California Irving College of Medicine found. Because of this cycle, potential countermeasure supplements like l-arginine remain an important area of research in the treatment of high blood pressure.
References
- New York University Langone Medical Center: Arginine
- "Journal of Nutrition"; L-arginine and hypertension; Noyan Gokce; October 2004
- Huntington College of Health Sciences; Nitric Oxide Boosters; Gene Bruno, M.H.S.; 2009
- University of Southern California; How Nitric Oxide Maintains Health; Athan Bezaitis; February 2009
- University of California Irving; Spiraling High Blood Pressure Linked to Nitric Oxide Deficiency; Andrew Porterfield; August 2001
- "Journal of the American Medical Association"; Nitric Oxide Deficiency as a Cause of Clinical Hypertension; Gail D. Thomas, Ph.D. et al.; April 2001
