Even though arginine is produced in the human body, it is still regarded as a semi-essential amino acid. The active form of the amino acid is L-arginine and it is used extensively by athletes and bodybuilders to increase muscle mass and endurance. Arginine can be derived from nuts, seeds, whole wheat and dairy as well as red meat, poultry and fish. Arginine is important in protein synthesis, cellular function and as a precursor of the vasodilator, nitric oxide. While the immediate use of arginine in bodybuilding is to build lean muscles, it is beneficial in other ways.
Muscle Growth
Arginine is an important building block in the production of the many proteins making up the muscle. It also encourages muscle growth by increasing the production of growth hormones. In addition, the amino acid encourages the retention of nitrogen in the body, a process essential to muscle building. Arginine encourages the elimination of water and fat stores from under the skin, which reduces bloating and when combined with the muscle growth gives bodybuilders a "ripped" appearance. By contributing to the development of lean muscle mass, arginine improves your fitness and strength for bodybuilding workouts.
Endurance and Healing Through Vasodilation
Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, which is a potent vasodilator in the body. In fact, nitric oxide is the reason the amino acid's medical use. By dilating the blood vessels, nitric oxide increases blood flow to the organs and is useful in the management of angina and heart diseases. For your bodybuilding needs, the vasodilation lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow to the muscles, which guarantees that they are well supplied with oxygen and nutrients. These actions of arginine through nitric oxide reduce muscle damage during workouts and promote healing thereafter.
Immune Booster
Your bodybuilding workouts place continuous stress on the body and can weaken the immune system. Arginine is known to boost the immune system by contributing to the effectiveness of the body’s defense cells, especially their ability to mop up free radicals.
Dosage
While arginine is safe, overdose can lead to nausea, diarrhea and weakness. There are no standard doses for the amino acid although it is recommended that you start with a low dose of 3 to 5 grams daily and not exceed a maximum daily dose of 20 grams. You can divide this into two doses to be taken before and after your workout.
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