L-arginine

Overview

L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body build protein .
Your body normally makes all the L-arginine it needs. L-arginine is besides found in most protein-rich foods, including fish, crimson kernel, poultry, soy sauce, whole grains, beans and dairy products.

As a accessory, L-arginine can be used orally and locally. It can besides be administered intravenously ( IV ) .
Because L-arginine acts as a vasodilator, open ( dilating ) blood vessels, many people take oral L-arginine to treat center conditions and erectile dysfunction .

Evidence

research on the habit of L-arginine for specific conditions shows :

• Angina. Studies suggest that L-arginine might decrease symptoms and improve quality of life in people with a mild to severe form of this type of chest pain.
• High blood pressure (hypertension). Some research has shown that oral L-arginine can lower blood pressure in healthy people, people with mild blood pressure elevation and diabetes, and in people with a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart (pulmonary hypertension). Infusions of L-arginine also appear to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
• High blood pressure during pregnancy. Some studies show that L-arginine infusions may lower blood pressure in pregnant women who develop high blood pressure.
• Preeclampsia. L-arginine infusions may lower blood pressure in women with this pregnancy complication. Some research shows that taking oral L-arginine might help prevent preeclampsia in pregnant women.
• Erectile dysfunction. Taking oral L-arginine might improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction due to a physical cause.
• Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). When taken orally or by infusion for a short period of time, L-arginine may improve symptoms and blood flow in people with this circulatory condition.

Our take

Generally safe

L-arginine is considered to be generally safe. It might be effective at lowering blood press, reducing the symptoms of angina pectoris and PAD, and treating erectile dysfunction ascribable to a physical induce .
however, if you take a lineage pressure drug, spill to your doctor before using L-arginine .

Safety and side effects

Using L-arginine orally or locally is broadly considered safe .
Oral practice of L-arginine might cause :

• Nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea
• Bloating
• Gout
• Headache
• Allergic response
• Airway inflammation or worsening of asthma symptoms

L-arginine is n’t recommended for people who have had a late heart attack due to concerns that the supplement might increase the hazard of death.

L-arginine can worsen allergies or asthma. Use the supplement with caution if you have these conditions .
Be careful about taking L-arginine if you ‘ve had cold sores or genital herpes. besides much L-arginine in your system can potentially trigger the virus that causes those conditions .

Interactions

possible interactions include :

• Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting. Taking L-arginine with them might increase the risk of bleeding.
• Blood pressure drugs, herbs and supplements. L-arginine might lower blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure. Combining use of L-arginine with a blood pressure drug, herb or supplement might increase the risk of blood pressure becoming too low.
• Diabetes drugs, herbs and supplements. L-arginine might decrease blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. If you’re taking diabetes drugs, herbs or supplements, your dosage might need to be adjusted.
• Isoproterenol (Isuprel). Use of this heart medication with L-arginine might cause your blood pressure to become too low.
• Nitrates. Use of this chest pain medication with L-arginine might cause your blood pressure to become too low.
• Water pills (potassium-sparing diuretics). Don’t take L-arginine with amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir) or triamterene (Dyrenium). These medications can increase potassium levels, increasing the risk of developing a higher than normal level of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia).
• Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra). Use of this erectile dysfunction medication with L-arginine might cause your blood pressure to become too low.

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1. L-arginine. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Dec. 20, 2020.
2. L-arginine. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed Dec. 20, 2020.
3. Arginine hydrochloride. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed Dec. 10, 2020.