Many people have heard the name L-arginine but not any details about it. They’ll often ask, “What is L- arginine?” or “What is L-arginine good for?”. L-arginine is an amino acid that your body makes. It’s one of the “building blocks” of protein.
Arginine, or L-arginine, is one of 20 amino acids that you get from proteins in your diet. It’s typically considered a semi-essential amino acid. That means you can usually get enough of it from diet alone. Like other amino acids, L-arginine plays a role in building protein. The body can use the protein to help build muscle and rebuild tissue.
What are amino acids?
Put simply, they’re the building blocks of protein and they’re made from organic compounds. A long chain of amino acids creates a protein, making them very important for good health. Amino acids are the building blocks of polypeptides and proteins and play important roles in metabolic pathways, gene expression, and cell signal transduction regulation. A single organic amino acid molecule contains two functional groups – amine and carboxyl – and a unique side chain. Humans require twenty different amino acids; eleven are synthesized in the body and nine obtained from dietary sources.
Amino acid benefits are simple to name because, without amino acids, we cannot exist. Every anatomical and physiological feature of a living organism is made possible through the existence of amino acids. The synthesis of nutritionally non-essential amino acids in the human body – alanine, arginine, asparagine, aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, proline, serine, and tyrosine – occurs through the de novo construction of their carbon skeletons. However, recent studies show that we can still benefit from the ingestion of non-essential amino acids to promote optimal health and well-being. Only when quantities of essential amino acids and glucose are sufficient and available can the rate of non-essential amino acid synthesis increase. It is, therefore, important to consume both types of amino acids in the diet in order to benefit from their many positive, if not absolutely essential, effects.
What is L-arginine?
L-arginine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and divided into essential and nonessential categories. Nonessential amino acids are made in the body, but essential amino acids are not. As such, they must be provided through dietary intake.
It aids in the formation of protein. The protein can be used by the body to help grow muscle and repair tissue. L-arginine, in addition to protein synthesis, produces nitric oxide in the blood. Nitric oxide expands blood vessels in the bloodstream. As a result, scientists have looked into the efficacy of L-arginine in the therapy of severe wounds and tissue waste in critical diseases.
The body typically produces all the L-arginine it needs. The substance can also be found in protein-rich foods like red meat, eggs, poultry, fish, and dairy products. You can also get more of it by taking it in supplement form. It’s important to have enough of this amino since there are a number of ways that it benefits the body, including:
- Better heart health
- Decrease high blood pressure
- Improves inborn errors of urea synthesis
- Controls blood sugar in diabetic people
- Improved immune system response
- Reduced inflammation
- Growth of hormone reserve test
- Enhanced exercise performance
- Reduced erectile dysfunction
L-Arginine and Heart Health
Getting the proper amount of L-arginine is important, as there seems to be a connection between L- arginine and heart health. Studies have shown that it acts as a vasodilator, meaning that it helps dilate or open up blood vessels. Consequently, it has the potential to improve a number of cardiovascular conditions. They include:
High Blood Pressure
Some research on L-arginine and blood pressure has shown that it can help lower high blood pressure, also known as hypertension. It can also be beneficial for people who have pulmonary hypertension, which specifically affects the right side of the heart and also the lungs.
Angina
Angina is chest pain. It may be effective in decreasing symptoms and improving the quality of life for people with angina, even severe forms of the condition.
Heart Palpitations & L-Arginine
Studies have shown that increasing the amount of L-arginine consumed by people with heart arrhythmias can reduce or eliminate problems, so doctors will sometimes recommend it for heart palpitations.
You should talk with your doctor about the proper L-arginine dosage for heart health in order to maximize your heart benefits.
Other L-Arginine Health Benefits
In addition to how it affects heart health, there are other health benefits. They impact a number of areas of the body. For example:
Improved Immunity
It helps the immune system function more effectively. In fact, it’s often given to people who are recovering from surgery, fighting an infection or undergoing chemotherapy.
Decreased Inflammation
While inflammation is a necessary physical response in some instances, chronic inflammation can be harmful to the body. It helps reduce this type of swelling.
Improved Exercise Performance
It improves blood flow. Consequently, it helps get nutrients and oxygen to muscles and joint tissue. This can produce a better, more comfortable workout.
Improvement in Erectile Dysfunction Symptoms
L-arginine is converted to nitric oxide (NO) in the body, and NO helps relax smooth muscles. An erection requires this type of relaxation, so increasing the L-arginine level can help treat erectile dysfunction.
Natural sources & supplements?
Red meats, fish, dairy, and eggs are the natural sources of L-arginine. These have low amounts of L-arginine that help the body recharge its important resources. you can take supplements like NutraChamps L-Arginine, L-Arginine Base (Best L-Arginine Powder), Foods Supplements L-Arginine (Best L-Arginine Capsules), etc.
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