Citrulline Malate Effects, Uses and Side Effects

Citrulline malate (CM) effects can have benefits for athletic performance, cardiovascular efficacy, certain neurodegenerative conditions and more.

Bodybuilders and other athletes commonly use citrulline malate to reduce muscular fatigue during intense workouts. This supplement is used as an alternative to L-arginine, which has low oral bioavailability.

Citrulline malate is a standard ingredient in many pre-workout beverages; reported to boost muscle pumps, increase endurance and facilitate post-workout recovery.

The majority of the health benefits associated with citrulline malate are believed to be caused by increased vasodilation. One of the effects of citrulline is an increase in nitric oxide synthesis, which can boost circulation.

L-Citrulline

Amino Acid

Pre- Workout

Body- building

Stamina

How It Works:

• Shown to raise blood arginine levels
• Increases Nitric Oxide & Growth Hormone
• Delays onset of fatigue during intense training

Dosage:

Between 1 - 3 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

Top L-Citrulline Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

What is citrulline malate?

The nonessential amino acid L-citrulline (C6H13N3O3) and malic acid (C4H6O5) are combined to produce citrulline malate (C10H19N3O8).

L-citrulline is an alpha amino that is not used to synthesize proteins (non-proteinogenic). Instead, the body uses it as an integral intermediate in the urea cycle. Malic acid is an organic dicarboxylic acid present in every living organism.

L-citrulline has a number of medicinal uses as well. It has been researched for its effects on Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, erectile dysfunction (ED), impotence, lysinuric protein intolerance, weak immunity, vascular disease, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, muscular fatigue, weakness, diabetes mellitus, postoperative pulmonary hypertension and more.

Citrulline Malate Cardiovascular Effects

L-citrulline serves numerous biological roles, however it is most known for its capacities to indirectly upregulate nitric oxide (NO) production. Inside the kidneys, L-citrulline is converted to another amino acid called L-arginine. Subsequently, some serum L-arginine is converted into NO.

Increasing NO synthesis in endothelial cells promotes smooth muscle relaxation. This causes circulatory vessels and other tissues and organs to open up wider than normal.

The diametric expansion of blood vessels allows more blood to be displaced with no additional cardiac workload.

When vasodilation occurs, it is possible for the muscles to flood with more blood than usual. This is the phenomenon known as a muscular “pump”. However, muscular pumps are beneficial for more than making the muscles feel hard and look bigger.

When a muscle is pumped via vasodilation and intense work, blood is delivered more efficiently, and in greater volumes. With more blood comes more proteins, enzymes, hormones and nutrients which are needed for muscular growth and recovery.

Citrulline Malate Bodybuilding Effects

Aside from it roles in clearing ammonia and lactic acid from the body as a urea cycle intermediate, citrulline malate usage may also enhance physical performance and overall health by:

• Enhancing the usage of available amino acids in the system, especially during workouts;
• Decreasing times necessary for recovery from intense workouts;
• Upregulating growth hormones levels, especially after workouts;
• Improving the elimination of toxic nitrogenous metabolites;
• Upregulating NO synthesis and inducing vasodilation;
• Inhibiting and reducing insulin spikes after workouts;
• Attenuating DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness);

Citrulline malate effects for bodybuilders and athletes continue to be explored in clinical trials.

Citrulline Malate Effects on ED

Citrulline may also have benefits for erectile function, male sexual health and libido. It is sometimes used instead of L-arginine as a natural treatment for erectile dysfunction.

cGMP-specific phosphodiesterase-5 (PDE-5) is an enzyme which binds to and breaks down cGMP (cyclic guanosine monophosphate). It is found largely in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and in retinas.

The actions of PDE-5 inhibit blood from entering the corpus cavernosum, thereby hindering a man’s ability to achieve an erection.

Citrulline malate has been shown to improve symptoms of erectile dysfunction. In one study half of the subjects receiving daily doses of citrulline malate increased erection hardness scores from 3 (mild ED) to 4 (normal).

Other citrulline malate effects on ED include boosting the psychological well-being of subjects. PDE-5 inhibitors like Cialis, Viagra and Levitra can cause various side effects. Because CM is known to be very well tolerated in most people, subjects from multiple studies have reported feeling safer about using it, especially for long-term usage.

Citrulline Malate Side Effects

There are no negative side effects reported from L-citrulline usage. In rare instances, malic acid has been reported to cause transient nausea and/or diarrhea.

Because L-citrulline has antihypertensive mechanisms, citrulline malate should not be used in conjunction with drugs used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

CM should not be used with nitrates or PDE-5 inhibitors either. This type of usage may result in hypotension (low blood pressure).

Conclusions

Citrulline malate effects on health are still under clinical investigation. It is being studied for its effects on blood lactate, blood glucose, plasma arginine, plasma glutamine, plasma nitrate, training volume, urea, reactive protein, cholesterol, blood flow, blood pressure, creatinine, growth hormone and more.

Women who are pregnant or nursing are advised not to use citrulline malate supplements. Not enough data is available to determine CM safety in these groups.

It is best to speak with a doctor who knows about your health history before beginning to supplement with citrulline malate. Although CM is generally safe for most healthy users, not all natural substances affect all people in the same ways.

Rate This Article

(7 votes, average: 3.43 out of 5, rated)