L-arginine is a type of amino acid made within your body, but in some cases you may have inadequate amounts, requiring supplementation. It has an array of functions; L-arginine supplements may help treat disorders ranging from heart problems to erectile dysfunction. Before taking an L-Arginine supplement, discuss it with your physician to avoid any adverse health effects or interactions with your medications.
What it Does
L-arginine, sometimes simply referred to as "arginine," creates urea, a byproduct that rids your body of harmful ammonia. High levels of ammonia in your blood can lead to neurological disorders and possibly coma at extremely high levels. L-arginine also works by making creatine, required for muscle contractions.
Average Daily Requirement
While there is not an established amount of L-arginine, a common average dose is 2 g to 3 g by mouth, three times daily, the Mayo Clinic reports. You can get your daily requirement of L-arginine in a variety of forms, including liquid capsules, pills, chewable tablets or powder. Since oral supplements may irritate your stomach, take it with food or a glass of milk. Some topical creams contain L-arginine to improve wound healing. You can get L-arginine in your diet without having to take supplements. Walnuts, sunflower seeds, brown rice, almonds, chicken, chocolate, dairy foods and oats are all naturally rich in L-arginine.
Benefits
L-arginine may help eliminate fluids around your heart, possibly decreasing your risk of congestive heart failure, Medline Plus says. This treatment should not replace physical activity or diet to improve heart functions. Additionally, L-arginine may help pain associated with angina pectoris, or severe pain in your chest, according to research in the "American Journal of Cardiology" in 1999. Taking L-arginine supplements can improve symptoms of bladder inflammation, but it may take up to three months to see results, according to research in the "Urology" journal published in 1998. Further research may show additional benefits or a different dosage.
Effects on Erectile Dysfunction
One common use of L-arginine supplements is to treat erectile dysfunction. A study published in the "Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy" in 2003 evaluated the effects of pycnogenol, a flavonol, and L-arginine for erectile dysfunction. Getting and sustaining an erection requires smooth muscles to relax, a process started by nitrous oxide. The purpose of the study was to find out if these supplements increase nitrous oxide, thus decreasing problems with erectile dysfunction. Subjects ingested only 1.7 g of L-arginine per day initially. During the second month 80 mg of pycnogenol was added, and during the third month, subjects ingested 120 mg of pycnogenol along with the 1.7 g of L-arginine. Throughout the initial stage of L-arginine supplementation alone, a small amount, 5 percent, of participants experienced normal erections. When L-arginine was paired with pycnogenol during the second month, 80 percent of participants sustained a normal erection, which jumped to more than 92 percent during the third month of combined treatment. Researchers concluded that ingesting these two supplements together can help improve sexual function.
References
- Medline Plus; L-Arginine; April 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Amino Acid Supplement (By Mouth); January 2010
- "Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy": Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction with Pycnogenol and L-Arginine; R. Stanislavov and V. Nikolova; May-June 2003
- MayoClinic.com; Arginine; July 2011
- "Urology"; Effects of L-Arginine Treatment on Symptoms and Bladder Nitric Oxide Levels in Patients with Interstitial Cystitis; I. Ehren, et al; December 1998
- "American Journal of Cardiology"; Clinical and Inflammatory Effects of Dietary L-Arginine in Patients with Intractable Angina Pectoris; A. Blum, et al; May 1999
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