L-Arginine: Benefits for Men's Health, Sources

Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and are divided into interchangeable ones that are produced in the body, and irreplaceable ones that come into it with food. One of the most important is L-arginine.

What is L-Arginine?

L-arginine is one of the twenty Amino acids that make up proteins. It was first isolated in 1886. Then it became clear that it plays a very important role in the process of removing ammonia from the body. Back in 1939, scientists realized that L-arginine is also involved in the synthesis of creatine. Modern science is working to further study the role of this amino acid in the body, its properties and benefits.

This compound is involved in the elimination of ammonia, the secretion of certain hormones, including growth hormone, and the proper functioning of the immune system. Thanks to it, our body produces creatine, a nutrient that is associated with the development and functioning of muscles. In addition, L-arginine also allows the body to produce nitric oxide, a compound that helps dilate blood vessels. For this reason, it is often referred to as the "libido amino acid"!

L-arginine is produced in several ways. It can be synthesized from the amino acid citrulline through the breakdown of body proteins, or obtained through dietary protein intake. Since L-arginine is not considered an essential amino acid, a balanced and varied diet is enough to produce it in the body.

Properties and Benefits of L-Arginine

L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid. This means that it becomes indispensable under certain circumstances and conditions, including pregnancy, infancy, serious illnesses and injuries.

Although L-arginine is not "essential" for us, because the body itself produces it, it still plays an important physiological role. Numerous scientific studies have been carried out on this topic.

Benefits for the immune system

As mentioned at the beginning of this article, L-arginine is involved in the proper functioning of our immune system. It also stimulates the body's natural defenses and reduces the frequency of infections.

Arginine is essential for the development of T cells, which are white blood cells that play a central role in the immune response. Because L-arginine plays such an important role in your body, a lack of this amino acid can disrupt cell and organ function and lead to serious adverse health effects.

L-arginine is also used to treat immunodeficiencies. Although its benefits are still debated in the medical community, physicians use the compound in the rehabilitation therapy of patients undergoing surgery. The amino acid works in this case, limiting the risks of nosocomial infection and speeding up healing.

Improve physical performance

Researchers believe that L-arginine improves the physical performance of athletes. This assumption is based on the role that the amino acid plays in the body, such as being involved in the production of creatine. This substance is involved in muscle contraction and in the relationship between muscle and fat mass. L-arginine is also credited with a role in stimulating growth hormone.

L-arginine supplementation can improve physical performance by increasing nitric oxide in the body, which improves blood flow and oxygenates muscles.

For example, a 2017 randomized trial of 56 male soccer players found that treatment with 2 grams of the amino acid daily for 45 days significantly improved athletic performance compared to a placebo dummy group.

Another small study in 9 men showed that those who drank a drink containing 6 grams of L-arginine 1 hour before intense exercise had significantly increased nitric oxide levels in their blood and were able to exercise longer than athletes in the placebo group.

However, most of the studies that have examined this relationship have shown that the amino acid in question is not beneficial for improving athletic performance. L-citrulline, the precursor to L-arginine, is the best choice for enhancing athletic performance.

Thus, recent studies do not show a real effect of L-arginine on the strength or endurance of athletes. However, it appears to work for less-trained individuals, actually improving stamina in men with moderate to light physical activity. But that's not all. L-arginine has been found to increase muscle strength in menopausal women.

It has also been shown to increase exercise tolerance in patients with congestive heart failure, angina, and heart transplant patients.

Blood pressure control

The supplement may help those who have high blood pressure. Studies have shown that the drug reduces the evidence of both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

L-arginine required for the production of nitric oxide, which relaxes the blood vessels, as well as regulation of blood pressure. Review of 7 studies conducted in 2016, showed that the addition of amino acids by oral and intravenous administration, significantly reduced blood pressure in adults.

Managing critically ill

Arginine is needed when the body is at increased risk because of conditions such as infection, trauma, and requires a significant increase in amino acids due to physiological needs.

For example, oral or intravenous arginine is commonly used for the treatment of serious infections such as necrotizing enterocolitis in children, sepsis, burns, chronic wounds and disease, and in patients before and after surgery or injury.

The regulation of blood sugar levels

Studies have shown that L-arginine can help people with diabetes by improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity.

As will be referred to more than once, L-arginine required for the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide plays a major role in cellular functions and how the body reacts to insulin, the hormone which outputs the sugar from the blood into the cells where it is used for energy production.

Consequently, increased availability of nitric oxide can help improve the function of cells that secrete insulin and help the body to use your blood sugar more efficiently. Some studies have shown that long-term treatment supplements of L-arginine may prevent diabetes in high-risk groups.

An experiment involving 144 people with impaired regulation of blood sugar levels showed that treatment with 6.4 grams of L-arginine per day for 18 months reduces the likelihood of developing diabetes during the 90-month period compared to the placebo group.

L-arginine and erectile dysfunction

Nitric oxide is involved in various processes and functions of the body, including blood flow regulation, the function of mitochondria and cellular communications, acts on the body as a vasodilator. As a result, it promotes dilation of blood vessels and blood flow to the pelvic organs, which is necessary for the erection of the penis.

In addition, it acts as a precursor to other amino acids, including glutamate, proline, and creatine, and is essential to the health and functioning of your immune system.

In fact, the discovery of this substance has led to the development of a truly effective drugs for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. Formulations Viagra, Cialis, Levitra and some other simple block cleavage of nitric oxide in the body. L-arginine may be used to combat erectile dysfunction and increase levels of nitric oxide in the body.

Overview of 10 studies conducted in 2019 year, showed that supplementation at doses ranging from 1.5 to 5 g per day greatly mitigated symptoms of erectile dysfunction when compared with placebo or no treatment.

In another clinical study, it was shown that when a daily L-arginine application effectively improves the quality of erections in men with low levels of nitrogen oxide, but has no effect on men with normal levels.

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L-arginine and female sexual dysfunction

Women in menopause physiologically more responsive to L-arginine. When the amino acid is combined with ginseng, vitamins, ginkgo biloba, yohimbine and trace elements in a complex it can significantly improve female sexual function. We can assume that this is a natural remedy for the treatment of female libido.

Other uses of L-arginine

The treatment and prevention of pre-eclampsia. Studies have shown that treatment with L-arginine during pregnancy can help prevent and treat pre-eclampsia, a dangerous condition characterized by high blood pressure and protein in the urine.

In addition, the preliminary study results also show that the amino acid increases the distance of painless movement of people with intermittent claudication. Results of application of L-arginine to this end by injection are compelling.

L-Arginine has been studied for its potential positive effects on various conditions, including obesity, heart disease, cancer, polycystic ovary syndrome, infertility, anxiety, used alone or in combination with other supplements.

However, research on the effects of L-arginine on people with these and many other diseases are limited and inconclusive, underscoring the need for future research.

In addition to the potential benefits and uses described above, many people take L-arginine supplements for a variety of other reasons, including reducing the risk of colds and promoting weight loss. However, many of these supposed benefits are not supported by scientific research.

L-arginine in products

As already mentioned, L-arginine is considered a "semi-essential" amino acid. In general, the body is able to synthesize it in an amount sufficient to meet our needs. However, under certain conditions, natural production may not be sufficient and supplementation will be required. This occurs, for example, after a series of infections, a major operation or an injury.

Because L-arginine is a protein component, it is found in many foods. So, what are these products containing L-arginine? These are cereals: oats, brown rice, buckwheat, legumes and nuts are the main plant sources. The amino acid is also found in animal protein sources such as fish, red meat, dairy, and poultry. L-arginine is also found in chocolate and spirulina.

The average daily intake of L-arginine from food is 4-6 grams. For reference, studies show that the typical Western diet provides 25 to 30% of the total arginine present in the body.

Today, concentrated L-arginine supplements are widely available in stores. Most of these are synthetic products, although some may be made from natural ingredients. Before buying such a product, find out its composition, origin, method of production and the amount of active substance contained in it.

Is L-arginine deficiency possible?

Communication deficiency is quite rare, but still possible. It is most often manifested by hair loss, poor wound healing, and a rash. Less commonly through liver steatosis (degeneration or fatty hepatitis) and constipation.

Possible causes of L-arginine deficiency include excessive consumption of lysine, serious infections or injuries, or disorders that cause the body to produce excess ammonia. Other adverse factors are chronic malnutrition and congenital diseases that interfere with normal urea synthesis. To limit the risk of deficiency or malnutrition, it is usually sufficient to maintain a balanced diet and ensure adequate intake of protein, plant or animal.

When and how should I take the supplement?

L-arginine supplements such as Genf20 Plus are most commonly used by bodybuilders, athletes, and patients recovering from muscle injury or heart problems. The dosage depends on the diet. Usually it is three to ten grams per day, taken thirty to sixty minutes before training or at bedtime.

There are preparations of L-arginine, which, if necessary, are prescribed by doctors. Such remedies are relatively rarely used, because our body usually manages to synthesize enough of this substance. If you suspect you have an amino acid deficiency, it's best to check with your doctor, as L-arginine dosages vary widely depending on what condition it's being used to treat.

For example, in studies of the effect of L-arginine on blood pressure, doses of 6-30 g were used. per day for 2-24 weeks.

Other studies have shown that in those who suffer from erectile dysfunction, a daily intake of 1.5-5 grams. L-arginine can significantly improve symptoms.

When used to treat preeclampsia, the dose usually ranges from 3-4 grams. per day for up to 12 weeks or until delivery under medical supervision. L-arginine may also be given intravenously to pregnant women with high blood pressure in a clinical setting.

Although higher doses are often used in research and clinical settings, it is recommended that the daily dose of L-arginine remain below 9g. per day to avoid potential gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.

Like other amino acids, L-arginine is recommended to be taken between meals for maximum absorption.

Contraindications, side effects and interactions

There are some contraindications and side effects associated with L-arginine supplementation. In addition, this amino acid may interact with certain medications and foods.

Contraindications for taking food supplements

In general, people who have already had a heart attack or who are at high risk of having a heart attack should not take supplements containing L-arginine, as it increases heart risk.

Patients with asthma, liver cirrhosis, kidney disease, low blood pressure, and guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency, an inherited disorder that affects arginine metabolism, should avoid L-arginine due to possible adverse effects

Pregnant and lactating women are advised to refrain from taking nutritional supplements due to the lack of complete toxicological information on the amino acid.

Finally, L-arginine supplements are not recommended for people with allergies and herpes.

Side effects of L-arginine

As you already understood, these contraindications apply specifically to L-arginine supplements, and not to the amino acid that enters the body as part of a balanced diet. However, supplements have few side effects. In most cases, they are mild and short-lived, including headaches, gastrointestinal discomfort, and diarrhea.

A 90-day study on 142 adults showed that a daily dose of up to 30 g. was well tolerated and not associated with any side effects, suggesting that even very high doses of L-arginine are generally safe, at least in the short term.

Dietary supplements containing L-arginine, which have vasodilating and hypotensive effects, may reverse the effect of lysine treatment. Treatment with lysine is most often used for herpes simplex virus.

Interaction with other drugs and supplements

L-arginine may interact with some medications, including:

• Blood pressure lowering drugs: enalapril, losartan, amlodipine, furosemide, etc.
• Erectile dysfunction drugs: sildenafil citrate (Viagra), tadalafil (Cialis), etc.
• Blood-thinning drugs: clopidogrel, enoxaparin, heparin, warfarin, etc.
• Anti-diabetic drugs: insulin, pioglitazone, glipizide, etc.
• Drugs that increase blood flow: nitroglycerin , isosorbide, etc.
• Diuretics: amiloride and triamterene, spironolactone, etc.

In addition, L-arginine may interact with the following supplements:

• Herbs and supplements that lower blood pressure: Coenzyme Q10, cat's claw, fish oil, nettle, theanine, and more
• Herbs and supplements that can lower blood sugar: fenugreek, Panax ginseng, Siberian ginseng, guar gum, etc.
• Blood-thinning herbs and supplements: clove, angelica, garlic, ginkgo biloba, turmeric, etc.
• Xylitol
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However, L-Arginine is often combined with other supplements and this can work. Here's what the research says:

L-arginine and yohimbine hydrochloride

Yohimbine hydrochloride, also known as yohimbine, is an approved treatment for ED. In 2010, a study concluded that treatment with this combination of mild and moderate forms of erectile dysfunction can be considered promising.

L-Arginine and Pycnogenol

While L-Arginine alone does not cure impotence, a combination of L-Arginine and a herbal supplement called Pycnogenol can help. A study published in the Journal of Sexual and Marriage Therapy found that these two ingredients in combination helped a significant number of men aged 25 to 45 with ED achieve normal erections. The treatment did not cause side effects that occur when taking Viagra, Cialis and analogues.

Pycnogenol is the brand name for an additive isolated from the bark of the Pinus pinaster pine tree. Other ingredients may include peanut skin, grape seed and witch hazel extracts.

Storage

Store L-arginine supplements in a cool, dry place. Do not expose the supplement to heat or moisture.

Output

L-arginine is an amino acid that is semi-essential for the body and plays an important role. But this element also has some interesting properties and benefits for the male body, such as increased potency. To benefit from this, a healthy, balanced and varied diet is essential, including foods containing L-arginine, and preferably several sources of plant and animal protein.