L-Arginine Benefits for Health, Bodybuilding and Men

L-Arginine benefits include faster wound healing and helping to maintain immune and hormone functions.

It also helps the kidneys remove waste products and dilates and relaxes the arteries.

L-Arginine is an amino acid and is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), a chemical that helps blood vessels dilate and improve circulation.

It is rare to have a deficiency of this supplement, however for athletes and bodybuilders there can be benefits to increasing consumption of this amino acid.

It is found in dairy products, dark chocolate, fish, grains, nuts and seeds, poultry, red meats and wheat germ.

During unusual stress, like infections, burns and injury, the body may not be able to produce enough to cope with these conditions.

Some symptoms of deficiency of L-Arginine are a delay in sexual maturity, impairment of the production of insulin, IGT (impaired glucose tolerance), and liver lipid metabolism.

L-Arginine

Amino Acid

Pre-Workout

Muscle Growth

Sexual Health

How It Works:

• Boosts nitric oxide production for workouts
• Reduces fatigue & promotes muscle growth
• Supports immune function & sexual health

Dosage:

Between 3 - 6 g per day

Safety:

Rated Possibly Safe

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What is L-Arginine Used for?

L-Arginine benefits are being used to help improve blood flow for erectile dysfunction.

This supplement helps to dilate the blood vessels in the genital area and helps the penis to enlarge to its full capacity.

This increases the size and hardness of the penis and helps the frequency of erections.

Nutritional expert Dr. Jonathan V. Wright states NO synthase (NOS) which is found in the nerve and muscle cells in and around the penis takes a nitrogen atom (N) from the amino acid L-Arginine and combines it with an atom of oxygen (O) to form nitric oxide.

Nitric oxide is what increases the blood flow. This supplement has a similar effect in women and helps enhance impaired sexual conditions.

L-Arginine is also commonly used by bodybuilders to increase athletic performance and promote gains in muscle mass. It increases forearm blood flow during exercise, which can result in stronger pumps, improved recovery, greater stamina and increased energy.

Weight lifters say that it enables them to work out for longer periods of time and to feel less muscle soreness during the recovery period. It is also linked to increased peripheral blood flow through the body during exercise and when at rest.

L-Arginine Benefits

Both men and women report that L-Arginine increased their libido (desire for sex).

A clinical trial of women of all ages published in the October-December 2001 issue of Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy, showed a 73.7% positive result.

The higher blood flow makes clitoral and vaginal tissues more receptive and reactive to sexual stimulation. This helps enhance the possibility of reaching an orgasm. It also gives some people greater endurance and more powerful orgasms.

It is also being studied to help improve fertility in men with low sperm count and with low sperm motility (activity).

For a prosexual effect, it is best to take 3 gm of this supplement an hour before sex, suggests John Morgenthaler, Publisher, of Smart Publications.

This supplement showed the most improvement for erectile dysfunction in men who had low nitric oxide levels.

A study published in the February 1999 British Journal of Urology International evaluated the nitric oxide levels of 50 men with erectile dysfunction. The men were given this supplement or a placebo for six weeks. Nine of the 29 men (31%) given L-Arginine reported a significant improvement in their sexual performance.

These nine men had low nitric oxide levels at the start of the trial, but had doubled their levels by the end of the study.

Erectile dysfunction may be caused by other factors. This supplement showed less dramatic results when the nitric oxide levels weren’t low (17% improvement).

Positive Effects for Health

L-Arginine improves immune function and reduces healing time of injuries.

It is also a component in the formation of bones and tendons.

It increases muscle mass, while reducing body fat and is used in body building programs.

In a study published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery in December 2003, it was found to help reduce the risk of blood clots and stroke.

A study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found it improved vascular function for people with Angina.

It was also studied as a supplement for cancer patients and it was shown it help reduce the growth of cancerous tumors and improved their immune response.

Is L-Arginine Safe?

L-arginine benefits for health, fitness and sexual performance are extensive, but it may be contraindicated for some individuals. While side effects are rare and generally mild for most users, you should speak to your doctor before taking this supplement.

One study suggested L-arginine may be potentially harmful for treating heart attacks (3 to 21 days after heart attack) in combination with standard treatment. It may also make breathing more difficult for people with asthma.

Side effects include abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea, and gout. Don’t take L-arginine supplements with medications that lower blood pressure, heart medication or drugs such as Viagra that treat erectile dysfunction.

Avoid this supplement if pregnant or breastfeeding.

In some people L-Arginine may increase the severity of herpes outbreaks, however other studies have shown it improves immune function enough to make a herpes outbreak less likely.

People with kidney or liver disease should take advice from their doctor before using this supplement.

Higher doses of L-arginine can increase stomach acid. It may worsen heartburn, ulcers, or digestive disturbances caused by medications. Diabetics should avoid this supplement.

L-Arginine benefits for circulation can improve the quality of life for people with sexual impairment without the need to take a prescription drug. It also has uses for faster wound healing, improved vascular function and immune response.

In particular, the AAKG form of this supplement has been shown to enhance athletic performance by supporting increased energy and circulation.

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