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L-arginine 1000 mg capsules are used by bodybuilders, athletes and men who want to improve their sexual performance.
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid involved in protein synthesis.
It is also a substrate for the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, which produces nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide is an important signalling molecule that is involved in many physiological functions, including: vasodilation and the relaxation of smooth muscle tissues; inhibition of blood platelet aggregation; erectile function; and management of inflammation.
L-arginine is also involved in cell division, wound healing, immune system function, ammonia detoxification, hormone secretion and blood pressure regulation.
Because of its diverse affects on the body, L-arginine capsules taken for a variety of purposes, including senile dementia, erectile dysfunction, cardiovascular conditions, male infertility, athletic performance and immune function.
Pre-Workout
Muscle Growth
Sexual Health- Boosts nitric oxide production for workouts
- Reduces fatigue & promotes muscle growth
- Supports immune function & sexual health
Top L-Arginine Products* ❯L-Arginine and Nitric Oxide Synthesis
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Bodybuilders and athletes use L-arginine 1000 mg capsules as nitric oxide boosters.
L-arginine is a substrate for the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. This means that L-arginine is used by the enzyme to produce nitric oxide.
People often take L-arginine to naturally increase nitric oxide levels.
Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that exists in vertebrates. It can be derived from NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate), oxygen and L-arginine.
Nitric Oxide Functions in the Body
Nitric oxide is commonly referred to as EDRF (endothelium derived relaxing factor). It is considered a relaxing factor because NO is used by the inner walls of blood vessels to signal surrounding smooth muscle tissues to relax.
This relaxation induces vasodilation (relaxation and expansion of the blood vessels), which can lower blood pressure and support improved circulation.
Improved circulation supports the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. People often take 1000 mg L-arginine capsules to increase nitric oxide synthesis and vasodilation. For instance, athletes take L-arginine to induce vasodilation, support athletic performance and improve recovery times after a strenuous workout.
L-arginine is also used for cardiovascular disorders. The Natural Medicines therapeutic database rates the use of L-arginine as possibly effective for angina and hypertension. [2]
Other Uses of L-Arginine Capsules
As an amino acid, L-arginine is involved in a number of physiological processes. Individuals often supplement with L-arginine 1000mg tablets for the effects associated with increased NO synthesis.
Research into the therapeutic effects of L-arginine supplementation is ongoing. Preliminary evidence suggests it may exhibit a number of useful medicinal characteristics, some of which are discussed below.
Anti-Diabetic Properties
Taking L-arginine in conjunction with an exercise program was observed to improve glucose profiles compared to exercise alone.
L-arginine has been observed to decrease after-meal glucose spikes in adults with type II diabetes.
In animal experiments, L-arginine administration improved a number of markers associated with induced diabetes, including the expression of UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1), eNOS (endothelial nitric oxide synthase) and PPAR-gamma (peroxisomal proliferator activator receptor-gamma). Vascularity was also increased.
Antioxidant Properties
L-arginine has been correlated with improved antioxidant profiles in both animal and human studies.
It is important to note that many of the human studies examining the relationship between L-arginine and antioxidant effects have involved patients being treated for a cardiovascular condition.
There is insufficient clinical data to establish if L-arginine supplementation increases antioxidant profiles in otherwise healthy individuals.
L-arginine has been observed to increase the production of nitric oxide, which expands the blood vessels and supports blood flow to the myocardium in patients with cardiovascular disorders.
Some studies have also focused on whether or not L-arginine administration can also help improve antioxidant profiles and reduce oxidative injury in these individuals. [1]
Oral L-arginine capsules have been observed to improve antioxidant levels in patients with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease.
Additionally, infusion of L-arginine was observed to increase nitric oxide levels in patients undergoing valve replacement surgery, which in turn reduced lactic acid and malondialdehyde levels (malondialdehyde is an organic compound that is used as a marker for oxidative stress). [2]
Research into the antioxidant effects of L-arginine dosages is ongoing.
L-Arginine and Body Composition
L-arginine 1000 mg capsules are sometimes used to support weight loss, but there is limited research to support this use.
The addition of L-arginine to a routine that involved a reduced-calorie diet and exercise was observed to decrease adipose fat mass, preserve fat-free mass and improve waist circumference in obese individuals with type II diabetes compared to a reduced-calorie diet and exercise alone.
In animal experiments, L-arginine was observed to improve aerobic exercise capacities, likely because of increased nitric oxide levels. Studies on the effects of L-arginine and exercise in human populations have produced mixed results.
Conclusion
The Natural Medicines database rates L-arginine supplementation as Possibly Safe when the amino acid is taken appropriately for short periods of time.
Improper or prolonged use may cause bloating, stomach pains, diarrhea, inflamed airway, gout, worsening of asthma and allergic reactions and hypotension (low blood pressure).
Speak with your doctor before taking L-arginine supplements. Individuals with asthma, allergies, cirrhosis, guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiencies, herpes, kidney disease and/or low blood pressure should not take L-arginine before speaking with their doctor.
Do not use L-arginine 1000 mg capsules if you have recently suffered a heart attack. Stop taking L-arginine at least three weeks prior to surgery.
- Tripathi P, Chandra M, Misra MK. Oral administration of L-arginine in patients with angina or following myocardial infarction may be protective by increasing plasma superoxide dismutase and total thiols with reduction in serum cholesterol and xanthine oxidase. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2009 Sep-Oct;2(4):231-7.
- Natural Medicines. L-Arginine: Professional Monograph. Reviewed May 2013.
- Bersani FS, Wolkowitz OM, Lindqvist D, Yehuda R, Flory J, Bierer LM, Makotine I, Abu-Amara D, Coy M, Reus VI, Epel ES, Marmar C, Mellon SH. Global arginine bioavailability, a marker of nitric oxide synthetic capacity, is decreased in PTSD and correlated with symptom severity and markers of inflammation. Brain Behav Immun. 2015 Oct 26. pii: S 0889-1591(15)30041-6.
- Toni M, De Angelis F, di Patti MC, Cioni C. Nitric Oxide Synthase in the Central Nervous System and Peripheral Organs of Stramonita haemastoma: Protein Distribution and Gene Expression in Response to Thermal Stress. Mar Drugs. 2015 Oct 30;13(11):6636-64.
- Lai X, Kline JA, Wang M. Development, validation, and comparison of four methods to simultaneously quantify l-arginine, citrulline, and ornithine in human plasma using hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2015 Oct 17;1005:47-55.
- Kalman DS, Feldman S, Samson A, Krieger DR. A clinical evaluation to determine the safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of an inositol-stabilized arginine silicate dietary supplement in healthy adult males. Clin Pharmacol. 2015 Oct 7;7:103-9.
- Poortmans JR, Gualano B, Carpentier A. Nitrate supplementation and human exercise performance: too much of a good thing? Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2015 Nov;18(6):599-604.
Article last updated on: March 18th, 2018 by Nootriment