All About L-Arginine
What is L-Arginine?
Arginine is a form of amino acid that is sold as a popular supplement. L-arginine is one of the 20 natural amino acids. It is manufactured naturally inside the body but is also obtainable in a number of sources. L-Arginine is found in animal sources: dairy products like cheese, milk and yogurt, beef, pork, gelatin, poultry and seafood. Plant sources for L-arginine include: wheat flour, buckwheat, granola, oatmeal, peanuts, coconut, pecans, cashews, walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seed, sesame seed, sunflower seed, chick peas and cooked soybeans.
L-Arginine’s Effects on the Body
L-Arginine is very essential in the body’s process of producing protein. It also stimulates the release of the all-essential insulin, which is a hormone central that helps proper regulation of carbohydrates and fats. This insulin stimulation effect makes L-Arginine all the more important in people with metabolism and glucose problems. Blood vessels pathways are widened when exposed to nitric oxide which is obtained in L-Arginine, this causes a much improved blood flow. L-arginine is used for heart conditions including congestive heart failure (CHF), heart problems, hypertension levels, and center. L-arginine is also used for chronic leg pain that is caused by blocked arteries, memory impairment or chronic dementia in the elderly, impotence, and infertility among men.
Increased levels of L-Arginine may facilitate in producing the following improvements: proper functioning of the kidneys, physical performance and heightened defense of the immune system. It may also protect the body against common illness like the common cold and aid in the prevention of inflamed intestines among young children. Among pregnant women, l-arginine is known to lower blood pressure (a condition known as pre-eclampsia).
L-arginine has a positive effect when used in combination with various over the counter and prescription medicines. An example is when l-arginine is used in combination with ibuprofen, this produces a powerful drug to counter headaches and migraines. It may even be taken in combination with fish oil supplements, this concoction reduces infections, improves healing of open wounds and shortening recuperation period on people who underwent surgical operations.
Benefits of Taking L-arginine
• Prevents Congestive Heart Failure
Intake of L-arginine supplements help in lessening excess fluids in the arteries which is a major cause of congestive heart failure. Having said this, one must not forget to take the medications prescribed by doctors and physicians. L-arginine also increases the body’s tolerance to the symptoms that coincide with experiencing angina or chest pains.
• Lessens Recovery Time After Surgery
L-arginine is known to lessen the time needed to recuperate after undergoing a surgical procedure. This is done by taking the supplement along with ribonucleic acid and EP acid pre and post “surgery”. This is because the combination of these substances improves the healing process of open wounds and cuts, lessening the need to prolong Hospital confinement and in turn lessening hospital bills.
• Heals Inflamed Bladder
An inflamed bladder or cystitis causes an individual to feel pain when attempting to urinate. L-arginine eliminates the pain and other symptoms while simultaneously lessening the inflammation.
• Erectile Dysfunction
People experiencing erectile dysfunction may find benefit in taking L-arginine supplements. A clinical study conducted on 50 men with erectile dysfunction shows that there is significant positive effect brought by L-arginine. This test required half of the test subjects to take L-arginine and the other had to take a placebo. A lot of men from the l-arginine group showed improvement in their condition as opposed to the placebo group. Like the drug sildenafil citrate (known commercially as Viagra), taking L-Arginine makes the blood vessels in the penis dilate, allowing the muscles to fill with blood and produce and maintain an erection.
• Prevent Preeclampsia
Preeclampsia or pre-eclampsia is a serious medical condition that affects 1 in every 20 women during their first pregnancy. Symptoms of preeclampsia are: sudden onset of hypertension, swelling of the arms and limbs. It is one of the most common complications that arise during the third phase of pregnancy. One of the most common causes of this dreaded medical condition is a deficiency of L-Arginine. Preventing pre-eclampsia by taking L-Arginine supplements helps prevent the potential progressing of the condition to Eclampsia which is fatal to both the mother and the baby.
• Dementia
Although the causes of dementia may be varied and not yet fully understood, tests have been conducted that show a positive result on recovering when introduced to L-Arginine supplements. Sixteen individuals living in a nursing home and showing signs of Alzheimer’s disease (which is a form of dementia), has undergone L-Arginine treatment. The result shows that the elderly scored a better rank on the “dementia scale” than they did before taking L-Arginine.
• High Blood Pressure
Because of the better blood flow that follows after taking L-Arginine, chances of developing hypertension or High Blood Pressure is minimized. This is because of the nitric oxide that L-Arginine produces for the arteries. A deficiency of this substance would cause the arteries and veins to constrict and create high pressure in the blood stream.
• Male Infertility
Male infertility is countered by taking L-Arginine. L-Arginine causes sperm count to increase, which also increases the chance for couples to conceive. Not only are the numbers of sperm increased but also the quality of sperm and motility of the semen, making sure nothing but healthy spermatozoa are produced.
• Migraines
One probable cause of headaches and migraines are poor neuron connection due to impaired supply of nutrients. The nutrients that provide nourishment to the brain’s pathways are transported by the blood cells in the arteries which are in turn improved by taking L-Arginine therefore producing better blood flow.
• Claudication
Claudication a medical term used for “Limping”. This is a condition where an individual experiences pain and discomfort when attempting to walk. This affects the calves, thighs, hips, buttocks, and arms. The main culprit is mainly poor blood flow in the affected areas which causes the muscles to grow weak. L-Arginine not only helps provide a healthy supply of blood in these areas by unclogging and widening the arteries but also acts as an antioxidant clearing the pathways of unhealthy substances.
