L-Arginine Dosages for Pre-Workout, ED & More

The right L-Arginine dosage to use depends on what health benefit it is being taken for or what condition is being treated.

This supplement is taken to improve cardiovascular health and may be recommended to you by your doctor for congestive heart failure and chest pain (Angina pectoris).

This supplement is also taken to improve exercise performance and to help erectile dysfunction and male infertility. L-Arginine supplements are also used to help heal wounds faster, to improve healing of bone fractures and to promote shorter recovery times for athletes and weight lifters.

It is also used to treat malnutrition and to promote the functioning of the immune system.

L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that is found in the diet from several common food sources. However, additional supplementation may be needed due to injury or to improve athletic performance. L-arginine doses come in pill and tablet form.

You will also find a related compound called AAKG sold as a pre-workout supplement for bodybuilders. This form of L-arginine is particularly effective for increasing strength, energy and exercise stamina.

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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L-Arginine Dosage Guidelines

Dosages of L-Arginine range from between 3 g to 18 g per day, with most users taking between 5 – 10 g on a regular basis.

These dosages are typically split up into two or three administrations per day to ensure a consistent supply of the amino acid is available all day long.

Bodybuilders will typically take a larger dosage before exercising to improve stamina, performance and lessen muscle soreness and fatigue.

For improving exercise performance the suggested amount is 4 to 5 g of L-arginine approximately 60 minutes before working out to increase energy levels and promotes overall endurance for athletic events.

When used while weight training, a combination of L-arginine and ornithine have been found to decrease body fat. This combination also resulted in higher strength and leaner muscle mass.

A 2008 research study performed at the University of North Carolina Wilmington and published in Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise Journal investigated the effect of L-arginine on body fat mass in endurance-trained athletes. A dosage of AAKG (arginine alpha-ketoglutarate) or a placebo was taken while doing aerobic exercise.

The four week study showed considerable reduction in body fat proportion and fat accumulation in the group given the l-arginine supplement compared to the placebo cluster. To help with weight loss, a dosage of two to three grams ingested three times every day is recommended.

Additional L-Arginine Uses

L-Arginine acts as a vasodilator, resulting in the dilation of blood vessels throughout the body. This has the effect of improving circulation, without causing an increase in blood pressure which would cause the heart to work harder.

A dosage of 8,000 to 10,000 mg of L-arginine daily is the recommended amount to help support healthy blood pressure levels. For best results, most individuals take 4,000 to 5,000 mg twice a day.

For congestive heart failure the doses range from 6-20 grams per day, taken over three administrations daily. For chest pain associated with coronary artery disease (angina pectoris) the dosage is 3-6 grams, three times per day for up to one month.

For preventing the loss of the effectiveness of nitroglycerin in relieving pain in people with chest pain due to coronary artery disease (angina pectoris) 700 mg four times daily is recommended.

Taking L-arginine seems to decrease symptoms and improve exercise tolerance and quality of life in people with angina. However, L-arginine does not seem to improve the disease itself. If you are investigating the use of L-arginine dosages for any of these conditions, speak to your doctor before you start using this product to determine if it is right for you.

For erectile dysfunction (ED), the recommended dosage is 5 grams per day. Taking lower doses might not be effective.

However, there is some preliminary evidence that adding 40 mg of Pycnogenol (pine bark extract) three times daily might improve the effectiveness of low-dose L-arginine for ED. These dosages have also been linked to heightened libido, sexual performance and ability to achieve an orgasm in women.

To improve recovery after surgery, it is suggested that taking L-arginine with ribonucleic acid (RNA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) will help reduce the recovery time. L-arginine dosages can also help reduce the number of infections and improve wound healing after surgery.

It helps with condition of intermittent claudication that occurs during walking. Individuals diagnosed with this condition experience muscle pain such as aches, cramps and numbness in the calves with a feeling of fatigue. It is associated with the early stage of peripheral artery disease.

Research suggests that taking L-arginine by mouth or intravenously (by IV) for up to 8 weeks increases blood flow in people with peripheral arterial disease.

According to an article published in Circulation magazine in June 2007, it showed long-term use (up to 6 months) does not improve walking speed or distance in people with peripheral arterial disease.

Most research on cardiovascular disease have used doses between 6 and 20 grams per day.

Who Should Not Take L-Arginine?

This supplement should not be taken right after a heart attack. In a double-blind study where 9 grams of L-arginine a day was given 3 to 21 days after a heart attack, it resulted in an increased mortality rate.

There have been two case reports of severe allergic reactions following intravenous administration of L-arginine. People with kidney or liver disease should consult their doctor before taking L-arginine supplements.

It should not be used if suffering from a herpes virus condition because it might help the replication of the virus.

Some side effects reported include airway inflammation, allergies, bloating, blood abnormalities, diarrhea, gout, headache and low blood pressure. These side effects may be exacerbated when taking L-Arginine dosages in excess of 10 grams per day. It may also cause Asthma symptoms to become worse.

Antihypertensive drugs should not be taken with this supplement. Medications that increase blood flow to the heart (Nitratres) should also be avoided. Sildenafil (Viagra) which lowers blood pressure as well may cause the blood pressure to be too low with this supplement.

It should be avoided by people with a Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency. It should be used with caution if pregnant or breastfeeding.

L-arginine supplement usage should be discontinued two weeks before a scheduled surgery.

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