L-arginine is a semi-essential or conditionally non-essential amino acid, meaning that it is not required in a healthy diet. While it qualifies as a non-essential amino acid because it is produced in humans, supplementation is sometimes needed, especially for athletes and bodybuilders. Dietary sources of L-arginine include whole wheat, nuts, seeds, dairy products, poultry, red meat and fish. All of the benefits of L-arginine derive from its role in protein synthesis and in serving as a precursor to nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator. For these reasons, the amino acid is important to different cellular functions, development of muscle mass, and in the treatment of erectile dysfunction angina, high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
Muscle Growth
L-arginine contributes to muscle growth because it is an important amino acid in the synthesis of most proteins. While the muscle mass increases, L-arginine also signals muscle cells, encourages the release of growth hormone and promotes fat metabolism. The overall result is the well-toned, lean muscle mass craved by bodybuilders. By removing the fat stores underneath the skin and promoting muscle growth instead, L-arginine increases your fitness and improves strength needed for bodybuilding.
Vasodilation and Endurance
Strength through building muscle mass is not the only benefit of L-arginine for bodybuilding. By serving as a precursor for the vasodilator, nitric oxide, L-arginine promotes endurance and muscle conditioning. When nitric oxide is released, it widens the blood vessels by relaxing the muscles of their walls. This lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow to the muscles during workouts. The increased blood flow means that oxygen and nutrients are adequately supplied to your muscles and for longer. This will reduce muscle damage, promote healing and provide peak performance.
Boosting the Immune System
L-arginine helps maintain overall health by boosting the immune system. It mops up free radicals and increases the effectiveness of the cells of the immune system. Since bodybuilding takes you through repeated physical stress and increases the chances of infections and muscle damage, it is important to ensure that the immune system is always bolstered.
Supplementation for Body Builders
There is no standard L-arginine dosage for bodybuilding but a range of 2 to 30 g daily is accepted. However, to reduce the occurrence of side effects such as nausea, diarrhea and weakness, you need to start with a low dose of 3 to 5 g daily taken before and after workout. After the first week, you increase the dosage to a point where the benefits are maximized and the side effects are reduced. L-arginine supplements should also be taken in cycles by discontinuing the regimen after two months and resuming it after another two months.
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