The history of L-Arginine (Nitric Oxide)

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Arginine was discovered in 1895.  Arginine is an amino acid that provides a wide range of benefits to the body.  Arginine plays an important role in the division of cells, boosting of one’s immune system, healing of wounds, and in the hormonal secretion process.  In 1998, the Nobel Prize was given to three American scientists who are attributed with discovering the role that L-Arginine plays in the production of nitric oxide.  Nitric oxide is so important because it is a dilator that helps the arteries to relax, thus allowing for the better flow of blood and less strain on the heart.  Also in 1998 a team of Italian researches made this connection between nitric oxide production and better blood flow when they reported that daily doses of L-Arginine given to patients reduced their systolic blood pressure. 

Since the early 1990’s, more and more researchers and medical professionals have been experimenting with the cardiovascular health improvement possibilities of L-Arginine.  Many health professionals have tried L-Arginine supplementation themselves and have been so impressed with the results that they then recommend L-Arginine to their patients.  Today Hospitals often offer an L-Arginine supplement to those patients suffering from infectious wounds in order to speed their recovery time, thus reducing the risk of acquiring an infection.  Heart disease in America is the number one killer.  With the prospects of L-Arginine supplementation being as promising as they are the hardening of the arteries and build up on the arterial lining, the two most common factors in heart disease, could be reversed.

The ability that L-Arginine has to increase the production of nitric oxide means many good things to those who are suffering with the preliminary symptoms of heart disease.  For many in this situation who are taking an L-Arginine supplement, there is no longer a need for prescription blood pressure medication (or at least the dosage can be lowered).  Decreasing the need for blood pressure medication not only lends itself to being in better health as the cardiac patient, but avoiding the use of prescription drugs also allows the individual to avoid the potential side effects of those blood pressure medications.  And side effects could be both physically and mentally (i.e. depression) devastating. 

The most recent discoveries related to L-Arginine are that it has the ability to help the body release needed hormones, increase lean muscle mass, speed the recovery of wounds, and boost the immune system.  Intimate benefits of decreased symptoms of impotence and improved female sexual function are also encouraging benefits that physicians and patients are discovering as a result of improved blood flow.  Recent evidence and research may also suggest that L-Arginine supplements can also help Alzheimer patients by slowing or even stopping the growth of tumors. 

As was mentioned briefly, you can find L-Arginine in red meats, but this amino acid is also found in fish and chocolate.  If you want to go beyond merely providing your body with its basic L-Arginine benefits, you can talk with your doctor about supplements that you can use to make more L-Arginine available to your body. A typical supplemental dose of L-Arginine is about 2-5 grams a day (in some cases it is best when taken right before bed), although as much as 20 grams has been administered successfully.  However a minimum of 5 grams has been found to be the base line of a successfully effective dosage. The level of toxicity for L-Arginine is relatively low making it difficult to accidentally have too much, yet it is always wise to consult with your doctor and receive any medical conditions that you may have that could influence what a safe dosage is for you.

L-Arginine (Nitric Oxide) supplement cautions

L-Arginine

It is the mark of any responsible supplement distributor to advise potential consumers of the potential side effects that exist with the consumption of their product.  It is wise to thoroughly investigate the potential dangers and side effects of every supplement that you might consider using.  Responsibility and ownership over what you put in your body is always encouraged.  It is also helpful to remember that all supplements, no matter how natural or safe, will cause negative side effects in some people.  There are no substances, even those substances created naturally by the body, which every person can tolerate without consequence.  Many side effect cautions will not apply to you.  Nevertheless the advice to proceed with caution is still sound council. 

L-Arginine is a supplement that very rarely has side effects.  Although adverse reactions with other medications have not been reported, as of a 2005 publication, the possibility exist for some. Such negative interactions include taking L-Arginine along with any type of blood thinner or blood pressure medication including Coumadin (however current research by experts such as Dr. Prendergast show no negative interactions).  Other side effects that patients reported included mild cases of diarrhea, headache and recurrence of cold sores.  As with any supplement or medication, you should be careful when you take L-Arginine if you are currently being treated for cancer or any other disease.  The medications prescribed for these more serious conditions have a higher likelihood of having their effectiveness compromised by the introduction of any other supplement or drug. 

L-Arginine is very safe for those that are in general good health.  It is especially safe for those who take doses of L-Arginine at the recommended 4 to 6 grams per dose level.  The L-Arginine supplement that is currently being provided in the ProArgi-9 Plus products provided through Synergy Worldwide was actually shown to have no adverse effects in clinical trials where dosages where much higher.  Dr. Louis J. Ignarro, Nobel Laureate in Medicine, explains in his book “NO More Heart Disease”, that “If you choose to take my recommended dose of L-Arginine (4-6 gram dose), you can expect no side effects.”  Dr. Ignarro goes on to explain that even though there have been no side effect of L-Arginine reported in medical literature, it is always a good idea to check with your doctor before taking any supplement or drug.

L-Arginine is a supplement that in many cases may work best at a higher dosage level.  This is because the liver and intestines break down a good part of the amino acid before it is absorbed by the vessels in the rest of the body.  The higher dosage levels (sometimes up to 20 grams) will in most cases ensure that the benefits of L-Arginine reach the vessels throughout the entire body.  For those who are considering taking L-Arginine as a supplement that they hope will provide some relief to symptoms of heart disease, the potential for side effects is generally not high enough to justify compromising the potential for relief from their discomfort.  Although producers of L-Arginine do not make the claim that L-Arginien provides a cure of any kind, there are many pieces of research that strongly support the possibility that L-Arginine prevents the onset or rapid progression of a variety of heart related ailments by keeping the blood vessels and arteries clear from obstruction and allowing the heart to work with less resistance.  Heart health is a concern for many Americans as heart disease claims more lives every year than any other disease.  Take the time to consider if L-Arginine can help you to live a more fulfilling lifestyle.  Talk about any concern that you may have about this supplement with your physician.  You may find that you’ve been missing out on this opportunity to improve the health of your heart.

What is L-Arginine? (Nitric Oxide Production)

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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.