L-Arginine Benefits

L-arginine is an amino acid which plays an important role in maintaining and improving your health. It is basic in nature, works as an antioxidant and when taken like any other amino acid supplement, offers innumerable health benefits. Human body normally has enough l-arginine. It is mainly produced in the kidneys. Liver also produces it in small amounts. Severe burns, infections and injuries can cause low levels of l-arginine or due to some rare genetic disorders, production of this amino acid can be affected. L-arginine foods and supplements can be consumed to avoid health complications resulting out of l-arginine deficiency.

L-Arginine Amino Acid

Functions and Uses

• L-arginine plays an important role in protein formation. It triggers the secretion of human growth hormone and prolactin.
• It is involved in the formation of l-proline, an important amino acid that is essential for the synthesis of collagen. It speeds up wound healing.
• Benefits of l-arginine also include maintaining normal blood pressure, preventing interstitial cystitis and intermittent claudication. It works great for migraines.
• The body uses arginine amino acid to make nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels. It is therefore said that l-arginine works great for atherosclerosis, erectile dysfunction, and intermittent claudication.
• As it reduces stiffness of the blood vessels, an improvement in blood flow can be noticed. Thus, it reduces the chances of cardiovascular diseases. But, this amino acid should be avoided after a heart attack as it may aggravate the effects of cardiac shock and may prove to be fatal.
• L-arginine is recommended for erectile dysfunction. The amino acid helps make nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles surrounding blood vessels which supply blood to the penis. Dilated blood vessels in the penis can maintain an increased blood flow, which in turn, helps maintain an erection. This is one of the important l-arginine benefits.

Health Benefits for Women

• L-arginine is used to treat sexual dysfunction in women.
• As it promotes better blood flow, it helps prevent heart diseases.
• It enhances the body's ability to fight off diseases by improving the function of the immune system.
• A woman's body undergoes several changes. This amino acid helps prevent some illnesses and lessens recovery time of other illnesses.
• It reduces blood pressure by lowering the LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) level in the body which is especially helpful in many ways for women.

Benefits for Bodybuilders

• Arginine plays an important role in bodybuilding
• It produces nitric oxide
• It fights free radicals
• It signals muscle cells
• It promotes the release of growth hormone
• It reduces bad cholesterol as it supports healthy cholesterol
• It enhance fat metabolism.
• It helps regulate salt levels in the body.
• It plays an important role in protein synthesis.
• It boosts the immune system, thereby allowing the person to train harder and avoid the harmful effects of some of the health problems associated with over-training.

More arginine rich foods should be included in diet in order to maintain heart health, prevent heart disease, enhance memory, treat depression, contribute to better sleep and for stress management. Almonds, walnuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds, wheat germ, soy protein isolate are some examples of foods high in arginine.

Looking at the numerous l-arginine benefits and its anti-aging effects, most reputed brands are producing l-arginine supplements. But higher doses of l-arginine can worsen heartburn, ulcers, or digestive problems caused by some medications, as these supplements might raise the level of stomach acid. Wrong use of supplements might result in low blood pressure and increased blood sugar levels. They can affect potassium levels also. Excessive formation of nitric oxide may result in indigestion, nausea, and headache. Children, pregnant and nursing women should not take arginine supplements. Those who wish to take l-arginine supplements, need to consult their physician. It is absolutely essential that these supplements are taken strictly under professional supervision.