L-Arginine - Uses, Side Effects, and More

 

Overview

L-arginine is an amino acid naturally found in red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy. It is necessary for making proteins and is commonly used for circulation.

L-arginine is converted in the body into a chemical called nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow. L-arginine also stimulates the release of growth hormone, insulin, and other substances in the body. It can be made in a lab and used in supplements.

People use L-arginine for chest pain and various blow flow issues, erectile dysfunction, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and a serious disease in premature infants called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). It's also used for many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these other uses.

Benefits of L-arginine

L-arginine has two effects: it turns into nitric oxide and helps the body build protein.

These effects give L-arginine an array of potential benefits Trusted Source, including:

• supporting heart health
• reducing chest pain
• helping build muscles
• repairing wounds
• improving male fertility

Although there are many claims about the benefits of L-arginine, not all of them have support from scientific studies.

Examples of benefits and uses of L-arginine from scientific research include the following:

• Growth hormone reserve test: Healthcare professionals use L-arginine in tests to stimulate the pituitary gland. These tests can helpTrusted Source determine if children are producing sufficient levels of growth hormone.

• Reducing high blood pressure: A 2021 meta-analysis suggests L-arginine can help reduce high blood pressure.

• Correcting hereditary disorders of urea synthesis: The body uses arginine in the urea cycle, which produces urea, a component of urine. The body may use this to correct certain hereditary disordersTrusted Source.

• Preventing heart disease: According to a 2019 meta-analysisTrusted Source, L-arginine may be useful in preventing heart disease due to narrow blood vessels.

• Treating erectile dysfunction: Low levels of L-arginine may have links to erectile dysfunction (ED). Researchers in a 2017 studyTrusted Source hypothesized that this may be due, in part, to narrowed blood vessels. People often use L-arginine supplementation, sometimes with other treatments, such as sildenafil (Viagra), to treat ED.

• Easing inflammation of the digestive tract in premature infants: L-arginine may help prevent necrotizing enterocolitis, a serious illness in premature infants, according to a 2017 studyTrusted Source.

• Reducing type 2 diabetes risk: Because L-arginine can help lower blood sugar, it may help control blood sugar in people with diabetes. A 2018 studyTrusted Source found that taking L-arginine may reduce the risk or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.

• Treating peripheral arterial disease: Because of L-arginine’s effects in widening blood vessels, it may help those with peripheral arterial disease.

• Treating pregnancy complications: L-arginine may helpTrusted Source treat pregnancy complications, including preeclampsia, gestational hypertension, or high blood pressure.

• Improving athletic performance: The results of a 2020 studyTrusted Source suggest that L-arginine supplements may have a positive effect on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance

Side effects of L-arginine

L-arginine has some potential side effects to consider when taking it as a supplement. Some of the more common and benign side effects can include:Trusted Source

• nausea
• diarrhea
• bloating
• abdominal pain

However, L-arginine may result in some serious complications.

Risks and complications

L-arginine can have some potentially serious risks for certain groups of people.

These can include:

• reduced Trusted Source blood pressure
• increased risk Trusted Source of death after a heart attack
• interactions with certain medications, including sildenafil Trusted Source (Viagra) and blood pressure medications
• potential kidney damage with long-term supplementation
• potential to stimulate tumor growth

Natural ways to get enough L-arginine

• A major benefit of obtaining L-arginine through diet is that it is difficult to get too much. Therefore, a person can generally avoid some of the side effects of consuming excessive amounts of L-arginine.
• On the other hand, food consumption alone may not provide enough L-arginine to meet a person’s needs. Therefore, individuals should discuss their options with a doctor before changing their diet.
• The most suitable natural sources for L-arginine include foods high in protein. For some people, animal proteins, such as red meat, chicken and turkey breast, pork loin, and dairy products, may serve as their primary source of L-arginine.
• For people who do not eat meat, plant-based proteins that contain L-arginine include lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and soybeans.
• Individuals who find they have insufficient L-arginine to meet their needs may wish to modify their diet to include foods rich in protein.
• A dietitian or doctor may be able to make meal plan suggestions to boost a person’s natural intake of L-arginine before they need to take supplements.

Summary

L-arginine is an amino acid that the body needs to function properly. A person can obtain it through the diet by consuming animal proteins and some plant-based proteins. Individuals can also take L-arginine as a supplement.

Taking L-arginine supplements can support heart health, reduce blood pressure, lower blood sugar, and support athletic performance, among other benefits.

However, side effects of these supplements can include gastrointestinal issues and interactions with medications. Therefore, it is best to talk with a doctor before taking them.