L-arginine is an amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins and divided into essential and nonessential categories. Non-essential amino acids are made in the body, but essential amino acids are not. As such, they must be obtained from food (1).
L-Arginine is produced in a number of ways. It can be synthesised from the amino acid citrulline through the breakdown of body proteins, or it can be obtained through dietary protein intake. Additionally, L-arginine can be obtained by taking supplements. It is considered semi-essential or conditionally essential (2).
It’s required for the production of nitric oxide, a signalling molecule needed for a wide range of bodily processes and functions, including blood flow regulation, mitochondrial function and cellular communication (1, 3). It also acts as a precursor to other amino acids, including glutamate, proline and creatine, and is essential for the health and function of your immune system.
Arginine is necessary for the development of T-cells, which are white blood cells that play a central role in the immune response (2). Additionally, L-arginine can be obtained by taking supplements.
L-Arginine supplements are taken by many people for a variety of reasons, including athletes and people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure. They’re also used in clinical settings to treat critically ill people or those with wounds.
May Improve Athletic Performance
Limited evidence suggests that L-Arginine supplements may improve exercise performance by increasing nitric oxide in the body, which improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles. A 2017 randomised trial of 56 male soccer players found that treatment with 2 grams of L-arginine daily for 45 days significantly improved athletic performance compared to a placebo group (4).
Another small study of 9 men showed that those who drank a drink containing 6 grams of L-arginine 1 hour before intense exercise had significantly higher blood levels of nitric oxide and were able to exercise longer than a placebo group (5).
May Help Blood Pressure Regulation
L-Arginine is required for the production of nitric oxide, which is necessary for the relaxation of blood vessel cells and blood pressure regulation. A 2016 review of 7 trials found that L-arginine supplementation, both oral and intravenous (IV), significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension by up to 5.4 mm/Hg and 3.1 mm/Hg, respectively (1).
May Help Blood Sugar Regulation
Research shows that L-Arginine may benefit people with diabetes by improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity (6). L-Arginine is required for the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide plays an important role in cellular function and how your body responds to insulin, a hormone that transports blood sugar from the blood into the cells where it’s used for energy. Some research has shown that long-term L-arginine supplementation may prevent diabetes in at-risk populations (7). The study of 144 people with impaired blood sugar regulation found that treatment with 6.4 grams of L-arginine per day for 18 months reduced the likelihood of developing diabetes over a 90-month period, compared with a placebo group (7).
May Help Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
A 2019 review of 10 studies found that taking arginine supplements in doses ranging from 1.5–5 grams daily significantly improved erectile dysfunction, compared with a placebo or no treatment (8).
L-Arginine
L-Arginine is produced in a number of ways. It can be synthesised from the amino acid citrulline through the breakdown of body proteins, or it can be obtained through dietary protein intake. Additionally, L-arginine can be obtained by taking supplements. It is considered semi-essential or conditionally essential (2).
It’s required for the production of nitric oxide, a signalling molecule needed for a wide range of bodily processes and functions, including blood flow regulation, mitochondrial function and cellular communication (1, 3). It also acts as a precursor to other amino acids, including glutamate, proline and creatine, and is essential for the health and function of your immune system.
Arginine is necessary for the development of T-cells, which are white blood cells that play a central role in the immune response (2). Additionally, L-arginine can be obtained by taking supplements.
L-Arginine supplements are taken by many people for a variety of reasons, including athletes and people with certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure. They’re also used in clinical settings to treat critically ill people or those with wounds.
May Improve Athletic Performance
Limited evidence suggests that L-Arginine supplements may improve exercise performance by increasing nitric oxide in the body, which improves blood flow and oxygen delivery to the muscles. A 2017 randomised trial of 56 male soccer players found that treatment with 2 grams of L-arginine daily for 45 days significantly improved athletic performance compared to a placebo group (4).
Another small study of 9 men showed that those who drank a drink containing 6 grams of L-arginine 1 hour before intense exercise had significantly higher blood levels of nitric oxide and were able to exercise longer than a placebo group (5).
May Help Blood Pressure Regulation
L-Arginine is required for the production of nitric oxide, which is necessary for the relaxation of blood vessel cells and blood pressure regulation. A 2016 review of 7 trials found that L-arginine supplementation, both oral and intravenous (IV), significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure in adults with hypertension by up to 5.4 mm/Hg and 3.1 mm/Hg, respectively (1).
May Help Blood Sugar Regulation
Research shows that L-Arginine may benefit people with diabetes by improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity (6). L-Arginine is required for the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide plays an important role in cellular function and how your body responds to insulin, a hormone that transports blood sugar from the blood into the cells where it’s used for energy. Some research has shown that long-term L-arginine supplementation may prevent diabetes in at-risk populations (7). The study of 144 people with impaired blood sugar regulation found that treatment with 6.4 grams of L-arginine per day for 18 months reduced the likelihood of developing diabetes over a 90-month period, compared with a placebo group (7).
May Help Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction
A 2019 review of 10 studies found that taking arginine supplements in doses ranging from 1.5–5 grams daily significantly improved erectile dysfunction, compared with a placebo or no treatment (8).