If you haven’t heard of L-arginine, yet, listen up. It’s a hard-to-pronounce amino acid that is easy to understand. L-arginine is a building block of protein which help build muscle and rebuild tissue. L-arginine is naturally produced by your body, but you can really benefit from taking more of it. Here are just 5 of the many benefits of L-arginine.
Benefits of L-arginine
Lowers blood pressure
L-arginine is a great supplement for lowering blood pressure. This amino acid affects the body in a unique way. The body uses l-arginine to create nitric oxide, which is a compound that aids in vasodilation, meaning that it opens the blood vessels. Wider blood vessels allow for increased blood flow, which lessens the pressure on your arteries.
If you have high blood pressure, talk to your doctor about taking L-arginine to help manage your high blood pressure. Many people with high blood pressure use L-arginine to control their blood pressure or use it in conjunction with their blood pressure medication.
Controls blood sugar in those with diabetes
Experiments on both lean (insulin sensitive) and obese (insulin resistant) mice showed that l-arginine can be just as useful as established type 2 diabetes drugs at metabolizing glucose in mice.
Treats heart disease
One of the most promising benefits of L-arginine is its effect on heart disease. WebMd also explains, “Early research suggests that taking L-arginine intravenously (by IV) before exercising can improve blood vessel function in people with heart disease. However, it does not improve blood flow to the heart.” More research needs to be done but it is promising.
Boosts circulation
Like previously mentioned, L-arginine opens up the blood vessels and allows for increased blood flow. Another article explains, “in the body, the amino acid arginine changes into nitric oxide (NO)… nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation.”
Enhance exercise performance
L-arginine dilates the blood vessels and allows for more blood to get to various parts of your body more quickly. When you take L-arginine before a workout, your endurance increases, but you will not experience increased strength. A WebMd article says, “Some evidence shows that taking L-arginine increases the time a person can exercise before becoming tired and helps the lungs work more efficiently. However, taking L-arginine does not affect strength during exercise.”
Side effects
- Gout
- Bloating
- Abdominal pain
- Airway inflammation
- Diarrhea
- Low blood pressure
- Blood abnormalities
- Allergies
- Worsening of asthma
L-arginine also has some very serious risks and complications for certain groups of people. It can be harmful to people with certain illnesses and complications. Read about some of those risks and complications here. As with all supplements, consult with your healthcare professional and make sure that L-arginine is safe for you to take.
Benefits of L-arginine Plus
L-arginine Plus is a great supplement that contains essential ingredients for increased blood flow and circulation.