L-Arginine Supplement Of The Month

L-arginine is an amino acid that has numerous functions in the body.
It helps the body get rid of ammonia (a waste product), is used to
make compounds in the body such creatine, L-glutamate, and L-proline,
and can be converted to glucose and glycogen if needed.
L-arginine is used to make the nitric oxide, a compound in the body
that relaxes blood vessels. Preliminary studies have found that L-
arginine may help with conditions that improve when blood vessels are
relaxed (called vasodilation), 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. 

Why Do People Use L-Arginine? 
        Heart disease
In the body, L-arginine is used to make nitric oxide,
which reduces blood vessel stiffness, increases blood flow, and
improves blood vessel function.
However, L-arginine should not be used
following a heart attack. An study sponsored by the National
Institutes of Health 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 results were
published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. 

        Erectile Dysfunction
L-arginine has been used for erectile
dysfunction. Like the drug sildenafil citrate (Viagra), L-arginine is
thought to enhance the action of nitric oxide, which relaxes muscles
surrounding blood vessels supplying the penis. As a result, blood
vessels in the penis dilate, increasing blood flow, which helps
maintain an erection. The difference in how they work is that Viagra
blocks an enzyme called PDE5 which destroys nitric oxide and L-
arginine is used to make nitric oxide.
In one study, 50 men with
erectile dysfunction took either 5 grams of L-arginine per day or a
placebo. After six weeks, more men in the L-arginine group had an
improvement compared to those taking the placebo. 
Unlike Viagra, L-
arginine must be taken daily. 

        Wound healing
L-arginine's possible activity in wound repair may be
due to its role in the formation of L-proline, an important amino acid
that is essential for the synthesis of collagen. 

        Other Conditions
L-arginine is also used for high blood pressure,
migraines, sexual dysfunction in women, intermittent claudication, and
interstitial cystitis. 

Sources of L-Arginine 
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 plant and animal proteins, such as
dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and nuts. The ratio of L-arginine
to lysine is also important - soy and other plant proteins have more L-
arginine than animal sources of protein. 

Severe burns, infections, and injuries can deplete the body's supply
of arginine. Under these conditions, L-arginine becomes essential and
it is necessary to ensure proper intake to meet the increased demands. 

Side Effects of L-Arginine 
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. L-arginine should not be used following a heart attack. 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. Arginine
appears to increase stomach acid by stimulating the production of
gastrin, a hormone that increases stomach acid. 

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. It may also
alter the levels of other chemicals and electrolytes in the body, such
as chloride, sodium, and phosphate. 

Arginine may increase blood sugar levels, so it shouldn't be used by
people with diabetes 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 should not take L-arginine because it may
aggravate their symptoms. 

Possible Drug Interactions 
L-arginine may counteract the benefits of lysine to treat herpes
NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) or other drugs that are
hard on the stomach should not be combined with L-arginine.
Drugs that alter potassium levels in the body, such as ACE inhibitors
and potassium sparing diuretics. 

Sources
Schulman SP et al. "L-arginine therapy in acute myocardial infarction:
the Vascular Interaction With Age in Myocardial Infarction (VINTAGE
MI) randomized clinical trial". JAMA. 295.1 (2006):58-64. 

Dr. Greathouse’s Website: http://greathousechiropractic.com/
Phone: 321 725-6314