Depression is a serious condition involving severe changes in mood that is related primarily to hormone and brain chemical imbalance. Arginine is an amino acid important for cellular division, wound healing, immunity, hormone release, ammonia removal and nitric oxide production within your body. It is not often associated with depression, although deficiency of protein and amino acids will lead to depressed moods, lethargy and fatigue. Lack of arginine affects the production of some hormones and substances that can be factors for depression in some people. Consult with your doctor if your mood is chronically depressed.
Arginine Vasopressin
Arginine vasopressin, also known as vasopressin or anti-diuretic hormone, is a hormone needed to control fluid absorption by your kidneys, increase blood pressure, regulate glucose and salts in your blood, and modulate social behavior in your brain. According to a Chinese study published in a 2010 edition of "Vitamins and Hormones," arginine vasopressin is crucially involved in the pathogenesis of depression because it increases secretion of other hormones, most notably cortisol, that contribute to the signs and symptoms of the condition. Reducing production of arginine vasopressin might help reduce depressive symptoms in some sufferers.
Nitric Oxide
Arginine is needed to make nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes your blood vessels through the process of vasodilation. Vasodilation increases blood flow, which is why arginine is used for erectile dysfunction, but more blood to your brain means more oxygen and more nutrients that can combat certain causes of depression, as cited in "Human Biochemistry and Disease." Nitric oxide also protects your cardiovascular system from atherosclerosis. A lack of arginine may contribute to inadequate blood flow to your brain and certain types of migraine headaches that have been linked to depression.
Human Growth Hormone
Arginine supplements are more commonly used by bodybuilders and other athletes as a releasing agent for human growth hormone, or HGH. Lack of HGH production and release from your pituitary gland is associated with reduced energy, tissue aging, poor immune response and depressed mood, according to the "Textbook of Medical Physiology."
Ammonia
Arginine neutralizes ammonia in your bloodstream, which helps your liver detoxify and regenerate, according to "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition." A healthy liver is important for removing toxins and heavy metals from your blood, some of which can damage or trigger chemical imbalances in your brain and lead to mood changes or dementia symptoms.
Sources of Arginine
Under most conditions, arginine is produced by your body but usually not in high enough amounts to meet daily requirements, according to "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition." Further, severe malnourishment and physical or emotional trauma inhibit arginine production. As such, you can take arginine supplements or your can eat more foods that contain arginine such as dairy products, meats, seafood, fish, wheat, granola, most nuts, many seeds and some legumes.
References
- "Vitamins and Hormones"; Corticotropin-releasing hormone and arginine vasopressin in depression focus on the human postmortem hypothalamus; A.M. Bao et al; June 2010
- "Human Biochemistry and Disease"; Gerald Litwack; 2008
- "Textbook of Medical Physiology -- Tenth Edition"; Arthur C. Guyton et al; 2000
- "Biochemical, Physiological and Molecular Aspects of Human Nutrition"; Martha Stipanuk; 2006
- "Biochemistry of Human Nutrition"; George Gropper; 2000
