L-Arginine for Bodybuilding & Muscle Growth Results

L-arginine is used by bodybuilders as a pre-workout supplement for enhanced energy, strength and muscle building.

Taking L-arginine for bodybuilding and weight lifting can help the growth of muscles by releasing growth hormones.

It is used to assist fat metabolism as well, working to produce lean well-toned muscles.

L-arginine also increases endurance during athletic performances by intensifying blood flow and reducing exhaustion through the production of creatine. The increased circulation lets more oxygen get to performing muscles to boost performance and enhance muscle development.

L-arginine is an amino acid and can be sourced in the diet by eating whole wheat, chickpeas, dairy, fish, lupins, nuts, oats, poultry, red meat, seeds and soya.

This supplement is used to treat high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and congestive heart failure. The body produces less L-arginine as people age.

Using this supplement for injured muscles helps bodybuilders and weight lifters to heal quicker after a heavy workout. It also helps reduces the healing time for bone injuries.

This supplement is used to boost the immune system. L-arginine supplements are available as a capsule, liquid, powder or tablet.

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

Top L-Arginine Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

L-arginine for Bodybuilding

Several studies have looked at the benefits of taking L-arginine as an exercise supplement.

There is also significant anecdotal evidence from bodybuilders saying that this supplement improves strength, stamina, endurance and recovery.

The primary effect of L-Arginine is to increase the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). This natural chemical causes a vasodilation effect on the blood vessels, making them expand slightly so that more blood can flow through them.

This increases nutrient delivery to the muscles, resulting in increased oxygen, glucose and protein supply to muscle tissue during exercise.

For this reason, L-Arginine is believed to improve muscle gains from a heavy weight workout. It can promote the growth of muscle tissue, improve recovery times and alleviate soreness. Bodybuilders say that it also results in stronger pumps, meaning that the muscle look hard and toned for longer after the workout.

The supplement may also promote increased fat burning metabolism and energy as well.

Research into Effects on Athletes

In the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition December 2014 issue, a study was published on L-arginine and amino acid supplementation and the impact on immune function in the context of exercise.

Such effects for professional athletes include high rates of protein catabolism and a pro-inflammatory profile. This profile includes muscle damage, soreness, chronic oxidative stress and immune suppression. This is known as overtraining syndrome which increases URTI (upper respiratory tract infection) from exhaustive physical exercise.

This study showed taking this supplement allowed competitive athletes to train harder safely.

Chronic oxidative stress is the disturbance of the normal redox (reduction/oxidation) state of cell. This disturbance causes toxic production of peroxides and free radicals that damage the parts of the cells that include proteins, lipids and DNA.

Boosting your immune system is needed during bodybuilding as it puts repeated physical strain on the body. It can increase the chances of getting an infection or damaging the muscle.

L-arginine helps to maintain overall health by boosting the immune system by getting rid of free radicals and increasing the immune systems efficiency.

L-arginine and Overtraining Syndrome

Some symptoms of Overtraining Syndrome include:

• Washed-out feeling, tired, drained, lack of energy
• Mild leg soreness, general aches and pains
• Pain in muscles and joints
• Sudden drop in performance
• Insomnia
• Headaches
• Decreased immunity (frequent URTI’s)
• Decrease in training capacity and intensity
• Moodiness and irritability
• Depression
• Loss of enthusiasm for the sport
• Decreased appetite
• Increased incidence of injuries.
• A compulsive need to exercise

One way to monitor if overtraining syndrome might be becoming a factor is to document the heart rate. This is done by tracking the aerobic heart rate at various exercise intensities and speed throughout the training.

Watch if the pace starts to slow and the resting heart rate increases. If this is happening and you experience any of the above symptoms, it is a sign of overtraining syndrome.

It is also suggested you keep a training log to monitor how you feel. A regime used to prevent overtraining syndrome is the 10 percent rule. This guideline states that the increase of activity should not be more than 10 percent per week. That includes distance, intensity, weight lifted and time of exercise.

By combining this regimen with L-arginine supplementation, bodybuilders can reduce the risk of injuries while still promoting significant gains in lean muscle mass.

Dosage of L-Arginine Supplements for Bodybuilders

The recommended dosage as a pre-workout supplement on an empty stomach is three to five grams of L-arginine. It helps with quicker restoration of muscles injured during a demanding exercise. It also accelerates muscle development.

Some bodybuilders use it also as a post-workout supplement. Taking it a bedtime helps growth hormone construction while sleeping. L-arginine should not be used long term. Its suggested use is to take it for two months on and two months off.

L-Arginine Negative effects

L-arginine is not recommended in patients following an acute heart attack. Use with caution if pregnant or breastfeeding. This supplement may interact with insulin and cholesterol-lowering agents.

It may also increase the effects of nitric oxide donors. It should not be taken with Sildenafil (Viagra). It may also make herpes virus conditions and Asthma symptoms worse. It should be avoided by people with a Guanidinoacetate methyltransferase deficiency.

This supplement may lower blood pressure and cause nausea and diarrhea. It may also increase the risk of metabolic acidosis in people with electrolyte imbalances.

This supplement should be avoided for people with kidney and or liver impairments. High concentrations of nitric oxide, which L-arginine helps create in the body are toxic to the brain tissue.

L-arginine is used for bodybuilding for muscle development, endurance and to limit the side effects of intensive athletic performance.

Rate This Article

(2 votes, average: 5.00 out of 5, rated)