Arginine is also known as L- arginine which plays a vital role to perform various functions in the body. Arginine is a non-essential amino acid which has the anti-ischemic, antiatherogenic, antiplatelet and antithrombic properties which are quite useful for treatment of cardiovascular diseases. L-arginine is converted into a chemical called as the nitric oxide. This nitric oxide helps the blood vessels to open wider for the proper blood flow. It also acts as the growth stimulant and useful for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It has been found that L-arginine helps to increase the libido, greater endurance and orgasms in both males and females.

Health Benefits of Arginine

• It stimulates the release of growth hormone.
• It helps to improve the immune functions.
• It helps in wound healing.
• It supports the good brain health thus good for the treatment of dementia.
• It plays a vital role in formation of bone and tendons.
• It helps in the reduction of body fat and thus increases muscle mass.
• It helps the kidney to remove waste products from body.
• It is good for the male fertility as it improves the sperm production and motility.
• It helps in the reduction of blood clots and stroke.
• It supports normal blood pressure levels in the body.
• It also improves vascular function for patients with angina.
• It helps in the recovery after heart attack.
• It is quite beneficial in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
• It helps to reduce growth of cancerous tumors.
• It helps in the regulation of insulin.
• It helps in the tissues regeneration.

Sources of Arginine

Arginine is found in both different plant and animal sources which are given below:-

• Pumpkin Seeds
• Soybeans
• Peanuts
• Spirulina
• Dairy
• Walnuts
• Cashewnuts
• Almonds
• Flax seeds
• Tofu
• Garlic
• Onion
• Hazelnuts
• Brazil nuts
• Lentils
• Sea weeds
• Spinach
• Sunflower seeds
• Pork
• Turkey
• Pork Loin
• Eggs
• Chicken
• Fish

Deficiency of Arginine

Arginine deficiency leads to the skin problems such as skin rashes. It may also cause the hair loss. Poor wound healing in the burns and infections are also conditions which are associated with arginine deficiency. In few cases fatty liver disease can also occur which results in the impairment of liver functioning along with the functioning of the blood vessels.

Side Effects of Arginine

People who take excessive arginine have the side effects like nausea, diarrhea, cramps, asthma and allergic reactions. It may also cause the low blood pressure which are further responsible to change the blood chemicals and glucose levels. Ratio of lysine to arginine in the diet affects the outbreaks of herpes virus. So doctors recommend the increased lysine and decreased arginine ratio for the prevention of symptoms associated with herpes simplex virus.

Important Note

If having any health complications like cancer, allergies, asthma, liver and kidney problems, sickle cell disease, low blood pressure, any bleeding disorders – don’t take arginine without the advice of your doctor.