L-Arginine

L-Arginine is an important amino acid present in all life forms and their proteins. It is classified as being semi-essential, because it may be essential or non-essential depending on the circumstances. Essential and non-essential do not mean whether or not it is needed—they refer to whether the intake of this amino acid can be produced by the body alone or whether it will need to come from diet. Under normal circumstances, Arginine is non-essential; the body is able to produce it. However, certain stressful or traumatic situations may place increased demands on the body to produce this amino acid, and under those conditions it becomes essential and it will be necessary to supplement with diet.

L-Arginine performs several vital functions for the body. Its ability to synthesize protein has enabled it to function effectively in the healing wounds. It can remove excess ammonia from the body and stimulate immune function. Arginine is involved in a biochemical process that processes nitrogen-rich compounds in the body, and is a precursor to nitric oxide, a small molecule that dilates blood vessels. As a result it has been effectively used to treat individuals with angina and congestive heart failure.
It has been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels and may even raise good cholesterol levels as well. It also promotes the secretion of several hormones such as glucagon, insulin and growth hormone. Body builders, in particular, have expressed an interest in this amino acid for its ability to facility growth hormones. Controlled studies have shown that when the amino acid was included in a weight-training program with ornithine, the body builders shed more fat than they would have without the amino acid.

As stated, L-Arginine is non-essential in most circumstances. The body is able to produce sufficient quantities of it. Additional sources of the amino acid may be obtained from diet, and some good food sources are meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, soybeans, chocolate, seafood, nuts, and chick peas. Beyond diet and the body’s own ability to produce the amino acid, sometimes additional supplementation is needed. As stated, sometimes stress, traumatic injury, serious burns or infections, may require extra supplementation of Arginine. Even in such situations, the dosage should only be administered under the care of a physician. The dosage varies anywhere from 6-20 grams per day, depending on the specific ailment being treated. The amount that is recommended to lower cholesterol levels has been established in the range between 3 and 6 grams a day.

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