Arginine is an amino acid found in such foods as nuts, watermelons, soybeans and spinach; it plays a role in a number of functions in your body, from immune system support to muscle tissue maintenance. Niacin, or vitamin B3, is found in red meat, dairy products, fish and green, leafy vegetables. It's responsible for enzyme reactions and proper metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. Evidence indicates that both of these nutrients may also boost heart health.
High Blood Pressure
Hypertension leads to inflammation of your blood vessels, which causes them to narrow and harden. Over time, this decreases blood flow to your heart and increases your risk of heart problems. Scientists at the Division of Clinical Cardiology in Italy discovered that hypertensive patients taking 2 g of arginine three times daily for four weeks experienced reductions in blood pressure. Arginine improved blood vessel function, according to researchers. The findings were reported in the April 2004 issue of the "American Journal of Cardiology."
Homocysteine
Arginine supplementation might lower your homocysteine levels, a heart disease marker, according to findings published in the February 2005 issue of the "Journal of Nutrition." Researchers from Pennsylvania State University examined the effects of arginine supplementation on homocysteine levels in middle-aged men with high cholesterol levels. They observed that participants taking 12 g of arginine daily for three weeks lowered their homocysteine levels compared with those who had a placebo.
HDL Cholesterol
High-density lipoprotein, or HDL, cholesterol decreases your risk for heart disease and improves heart health by removing excess "bad" cholesterol from your artery walls. Niacin might have a positive effect on HDL cholesterol levels, according to a study published by researchers at the Veterans Administration Health Care System. They studied the mechanism behind niacin's ability to maintain HDL cholesterol. Niacin works by inhibiting the liver from removing HDL cholesterol from your blood, thereby helping you maintain high HDL levels. The findings were reported in the June 2008 issue of the "Journal of Lipid Research."
C-reactive Protein
Niacin might help reduce C-reactive protein, a protein that increases inflammation associated with heart disease. Researchers from Auburn University studied the impact of niacin on participants with metabolic syndrome, a group of risk factors for heart disease. They reported in the July 2009 issue of "Diabetes/Metabolism Research and Reviews" that subjects taking extended-release niacin daily for six weeks experienced reductions in C-reactive protein levels.
References
- "American Journal of Cardiology"; Effect of Oral L-Arginine on Blood Pressure and Symptoms and Endothelial Function in Patients with Systemic Hypertension, Positive Exercise Tests, and Normal Cornoary Arteries; A. Palloshi, et al.; April 2004
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Oral L-Arginine Improves Hemodynamic Responses to Stress and Reduces Plasma Homocysteine in Hypercholesterolemic Men; S.G. West, et al.; February 2005
- "Journal of Lipid Research"; Niacin Inhibits Surface Expression of ATP Synthase B-Chain in HepG2 Cells: Implications for Raising HDL; L.H. Zhang, et al.; June 2008
- "Diabetes/Metabolism Research Reviews"; Extended-Release Niacin Decreases Serum Feutin-A Concentrations in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome; S.V. Kaushik, et al.; July 2009
