L-Arginine

L-arginine helps the body get rid of ammonia, is used to make compounds in the body creatine, L-glutamate, and L-proline, and can be converted to glucose and glycogen if needed.
L-arginine is used to make nitric oxide, which relaxes blood vessels. Preliminary studies have found that L-arginine may help with conditions such as atherosclerosis, erectile dysfunction, and intermittent claudication.
L-arginine is also involved in protein formation. In larger amounts, L-arginine stimulates the release of hormones growth hormone and prolactin.
However, L-arginine should not be used following a heart attack. An study examining the use of L-arginine after a heart attack was terminated early after six patients died, a disproportionate number. There were no deaths in the patients who did not receive L-arginine.
The study researchers speculate that L-arginine may aggravate the effects of cardiac shock.
The difference in how Viagra and L-arginine work is that Viagra blocks destruction of nitric oxide and L-arginine increases production.
Unlike Viagra, L-arginine must be taken daily.
L-arginine's activity in wound repair may be due to its role in the formation of L-proline, an amino acid essential for collagen synthesis.
L-arginine is also used for high blood pressure, migraines, sexual dysfunction in women, intermittent claudication, and interstitial cystitis.
L-arginine is conditionally essential, which means that the body normally has enough. It's produced in the kidney and to a lesser extent, in the liver.
Food sources of L-arginine include proteins, such as dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and nuts. The ratio of L-arginine to L-lysine is also important - soy and other plant proteins have more L-arginine than animal protein.
Severe burns, infections, and injuries can deplete the body's supply of arginine. Under these conditions, it is necessary to ensure proper intake of L-arginine to meet the increased demands.
L-arginine is also essential for children with rare genetic disorders that impair its formation. L-arginine may lower blood pressure because it is involved in the formation of nitric oxide. It may also result in indigestion, nausea, and headache.
If you have a history of heart disease, consult your doctor before taking L-arginine.
Higher doses of arginine can increase stomach acid, so it may worsen heartburn, ulcers, or digestive upset cause by medications.
L-arginine may also alter potassium levels, especially in people with liver disease. People with kidney disease and those who take ACE inhibitors or potassium sparing diuretics should not use supplemental L-arginine unless they are under professional supervision. L-arginine may also alter the levels of other chemicals in the body, such as chloride, sodium, and phosphate.
Arginine may increase blood sugar, so it shouldn't be used by diabetics unless under a doctor's supervision.
Pregnant and nursing women and children should not use supplemental L-arginine, as it's safety has not been established.
People with genital herpes, cold sores, shingles or chickenpox should not take L-arginine because it may aggravate their symptoms.
L-arginine may counteract the benefits of L-lysine to treat herpes; the main reason why L-lysine works is that it blocks the virus's use of arginine.