What is L-Arginine? (Nitric Oxide Production)

L-Arginine is an amino acid that is popularly used as a supplement for people who have symptoms of or are at a higher risk for heart or vessel disease.  As heart disease kills more people than any other disease, heart health has become one of the most pressing concerns on the minds of almost every overweight or otherwise unhealthy American.  The problems that result from heart disease can be vast and no one drug or nutritional supplement is sufficient to care for all of these health concerns in one shot.  However the benefits of L-Arginine are very broad because it affects the entire cardiovascular system. Some specific benefits will be to those hearth patients who have symptoms of chest pain (due to coronary artery blockages), leg cramping (due to the narrowing of the arteries in the legs), shortness of breath, fatigue, difficulty walking and impotence. 

So how is it that a supplement can do so much to help make such a big problem better?  Well, studies have shown that L-Arginine aids in the production of nitric oxide.  Nitric Oxide improves blood flow and thereby rids the individual of most of the symptoms that ultimately lead to heart disease.  When nitric oxide levels are up and blood flow is improved, the individual has a greater tolerance for physical activity and does not become fatigued as easily.  Feeling more energy can lead to the adoption of a healthier lifestyle, further perpetuating the positive chain reaction of health improvements that result from simple lifestyle changes.  Even a man’s personal life can improve as a better blood flow can prevent the most common cause of erectile dysfunction. 

As with any supplement or drug it is important to not only read dosage information carefully but also to receive a personal consultation with your doctor regarding any new supplements that you are considering using as the effects of any given supplement will vary depending on the unique chemical and physical makeup of each individual.  Most people with a healthy liver and intestine already have the enzyme, arginase, in their system.  It is this enzyme that breaks down the L-Arginine.  As L-Arginine is broken down, almost half of it is depleted by the time the supplement passes through the intestines and liver and reaches the rest of the body. Furthermore, in individuals who already have a compromised cardiovascular system, basic L-Arginine levels are not high enough to compensate with the higher levels of ADMA that may exist within the body and act as a blockage to the production of nitric oxide. It is for these reasons that a seemingly high dose L-Arginine is needed on a regular basis.   

Although side effects of taking an L-Arginine supplement are rare, it is wise to take a close look at the risks that you might assume when choosing to use a supplement.  Adverse reactions reported by those who took L-Arginine include possible upset stomach and diarrhea.  The adverse reactions that could result with combining an L-Arginine supplement with other medications and supplements has not yet been extensively studied and therefore each patient must assume the possible risks that are involved with drug interactions.