L-Arginine Side Effects

What is l-arginine? L-arginine is a building block of proteins and assists several body functions like wound healing and also boosts the bodies immunity levels. It is found in a variety of foods that are included in our daily diet, hence supplementing l-arginine is mostly done in cases of malnutrition. L-arginine helps disposing body waste and is responsible of removing ammonia from the body. It is a naturally occurring amino acid and is required by children for their early growth. The dietary sources of l-arginine are dairy products like yogurt, milk and cheese. If you are on a non-vegetarian diet, some l-arginine foods are pork, beef and most sea food. L-arginine is known to stimulate the human growth hormone and hence is popular with body builders. Like most supplements, there are a few l-arginine side effects, though most of them are not permanent.

Side Effects of L-Arginine

L-arginine helps the production of nitric oxide a neurotransmitter, which relaxes the blood vessels and improves blood circulation. It is also needed to make creatine which boosts muscle growth and lean body mass. L-arginine, due to its ability of improving circulation, is used to treat erectile dysfunction thus making it a popular supplement. However, there are some l-arginine side effects and you need to consult your doctor before you decide your l-arginine dosage.

Low Blood Pressure
As l-arginine boosts nitric oxide production in the body it relaxes the blood vessels making them thin and propagating blood circulation. Nitric oxide is a good vasodilator, which means it widens the blood vessels. So substituting l-arginine may cause low blood pressure problems in people.

Breathing Difficulty
One of the l-arginine side effects that asthma patients need to look out for is that it may cause breathing problems. Some studies have shown that use of l-arginine supplements can cause lung inflammation thus creating problems for patients with asthma.

Allergies
Some people have reported that they got allergies after taking l-arginine supplements. It is better to test yourself first for l-arginine allergy before taking this amino acid supplement; you may experience sudden chills, headaches and vomiting from an anaphylactic reaction.

Diarrhea
A very discomforting side effect of l-arginine is diarrhea, which then needs to be controlled by taking other medications. Diarrhea is the most common side effect of l-arginine overdose and you will need to re-evaluate your dosage. L-arginine dosage seems to vary from people to people it can be as high as 12 gm per day.

Herpes
A l-arginine side effect, herpes can be very disruptive and irritable, some studies have shown that the herpes virus thrives on l-arginine. Many people on a l-arginine supplement have complained of being infected by the herpes virus, because the virus needs l-arginine to multiply.

Heart Attack
If you have had a heart attack it is advisable to stay off any l-arginine supplements, as it increases the risk of having another attack. Some doctors even say that having l-arginine after suffering a heart attack may even lead to death.

Although there is no conclusive proof, l-arginine should also be avoided by pregnant women and those who are breast feeding. Some of the other l-arginine side effects include chest pain, bloating headaches and vomiting. However, it is possible to get our supply of l-arginine through food, thus avoiding supplementation and the possible side effects.