Anxiety is a normal human reaction to fearful or stressful situations. However, feelings of anxiety that persist when no identifiable stressor is present may be a sign of an anxiety disorder. While anxiety disorders can be helped by conventional treatments like medication and counseling, some research has found that arginine, an amino acid available as a dietary supplement, may also provide benefits. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
About Arginine
The amino acid arginine plays an important role in several biological processes. It is found naturally in many foods such meat, dairy and fish and is also available as a nutritional supplement in tablet, capsule and powder form. Arginine maintains proper immune system functioning, assists in cell division and helps in the secretion of certain hormones, according to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Researchers have also found that arginine may help to combat symptoms of anxiety. In his book, "The Food-Mood Solution," nutrition expert Jack Challem states that arginine works to reduce anxiety because it acts as a precursor to the anxiety-reducing neurotransmitter nitric acid. Arginine is often used with the amino acid lysine, as the combination is thought to normalize levels of the stress hormone cortisol.
Anxiety and Stress
Anxiety helps to mobilize your body for action. During times of stress and fear, your body reacts with the instinctual "fight-or-flight" response, prompting the release of stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. If you're constantly exposed to stress, you may suffer from overproduction of these hormones, which can cause a serious impact on your health, including increasing your chances of developing an anxiety disorder. Additionally, you're at a higher risk of developing conditions like depression, sleep disturbances, depression and even heart disease, according to MayoClinic.com. While dietary supplements are no substitute for healthy stress management techniques like meditation, exercise, eating right and getting enough sleep, dietary supplements like arginine may offer some relief from symptoms of anxiety and stress.
Clinical Evidence
A study published in the April 2007 issue of the Japanese medical journal, "Biomedical Research," found that a combination of lysine and arginine resulted in a significant reduction in anxiety levels and also decreased levels of the stress hormone cortisol in study participants subjected to a cognitive stress battery test. Another study, published in the June 2005 issue of the international, interdisciplinary nutrition journal, "Nutritional Neuroscience," found that a combination of l-lysine and l-arginine had an anxiolytic, or anxiety-reducing, effect on study participants exposed to a psychosocial stress procedure involving public speaking.
Considerations
While arginine supplementation may help symptoms of anxiety, never use a dietary supplement to self-treat your condition. If you think you have an anxiety disorder, consult your doctor. Anxiety disorders may worsen if not properly treated. According to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, arginine appears safe in low doses but may causes unwanted or potentially dangerous side effects in high doses, especially when used by people with liver disease, ulcers or who take certain medications. Consult your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
References
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center: Arginine
- "The Food-Mood Solution"; Jack Chellem; 2007
- Mayo Clinic: Stress: Constant Stress Puts Your Health At Risk
- "Biomedical Research"; Oral Treatment with L-lysine and L-arginine Reduces Anxiety and Basal Cortisol Levels in Healthy Humans; M. Smriga, et al; April 2007
- "Nutritional Neuroscience"; Subchronic Treatment with Amino Acid Mixture of L-lysine and L-arginine Modifies Neuroendocrine Activation During Psychosocial Stress in Subjects with High Trait Anxiety; J. Daniela, et al; June 2005
