What is L-arginine Used For?

L-arginine is a protein building block known as an amino acid. The body uses L-arginine obtained from food such as meat, poultry, dairy products, and fish to create protein. There are 21 essential amino acids, and each one builds upon each other. As a supplement, taking L-arginine helps improve blood flow by opening (dilating) blood vessels.

When more blood flow increases, so does the production of nitric oxide in people with particular health concerns. L-arginine supplements help treat cardiovascular disease, erectile dysfunction, and other medical conditions.

What is L-Arginine Used For?

According to the Mayo Clinic, the positive effects of L-arginine vary depending on the individual's health concern. Research suggests that L-arginine supplementation improves inflammation, immune system, fertility, and brain power. Early scientific research indicates that L-arginine detoxifies the body by cleaning the blood of unhealthy compounds.

Other L-Arginine Benefits

Improves Cardiovascular Health

In a healthy person, coronary arteries are flexible and allow for the natural distribution of blood and nutrition. However, for those with tight and clogged arteries, the heart has to work harder to transfer those nutrients, which may result in congestive heart failure, heart attacks, chest pain, or poor overall heart health. One of the health benefits of L-arginine is that it improves circulation by increasing nitric oxide in the blood.

Lowers High Blood Pressure

Some research shows that infusion of L-arginine lowers blood pressure for those with pulmonary hypertension. This, in turn, reduces the risk of heart failure. 

Improves Erectile Dysfunction   

One pressing concern for men's health is erectile dysfunction. In a randomized controlled study, men supplemented with L-arginine and Pycnogenol (increases nitric oxide production) 92.5% had restored sexual function after three months.

Encourages Weight Loss

One of the potential benefits of L-arginine is that it helps people lose weight. Since L-arginine is an amino acid that creates protein, it may help your body prioritize building muscles rather than building fat. For the best results, combine a healthy diet and consistent exercise with L-arginine supplementation.

May Increase Athletic Performance

Different studies show different results in whether L-arginine helps improve athleticism. However, L-arginine’s potential is that it will increase vasodilation (blood flow) to the exercising muscles, clean the blood of harmful compounds, and in turn improves exercise performance.

Reduces the Signs of Aging

Some research shows that L-arginine has powerful anti-aging effects. L-arginine stimulates the production of human growth hormone (HGH), which repairs cells and promotes the production of healthy ones. Topical creams applied directly to the skin produce the best results.

Increases Fertility

A pilot study showed that L-arginine increases women’s fertility by improving the blood flow to the uterus. Another study showed that men’s sperm mobility increased with L-arginine supplementation.  When sperm activity is higher, so are the chances of conception.

Helps with Baldness

Increased nitric oxide from L-arginine improves blood flow to the scalp and follicles, which in turn and helps prevent hair loss. 

The L-arginine potential is just being discovered. Studies have revealed that the amino acid has many possible health benefits for both men and women.

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L-arginine. (2017, October 24). Retrieved April 5, 2019, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-l-arginine/art-20364681

L-Arginine: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and Warning. (n.d.). Retrieved April 5, 2019, from https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-875/l-arginine

Male Infertility | Infertility. (2019, February 07). Retrieved April 5, 2019, from https://medlineplus.gov/maleinfertility.html

Thiago Silveira Alvares, Carlos Adam Conte-Junior, Joab Trajano Silva, & Vânia Margaret Flosi Paschoalin. (2012, June 12). Acute L-Arginine supplementation does not increase nitric oxide production in healthy subjects. Retrieved April 5, 2019, from https://nutritionandmetabolism.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1743-7075-9-54