Nutritional Health Supplements: Very Useful Arginine
Arginine is a substance mentioned regularly in articles on nutrition and yet, if you are like me, you may not be sure what use it is. It is a 'conditional' essential amino acid, which means the body can produce it but in situations such as surgery and trauma the body cannot provide enough. In such circumstances the supply needs to be augmented from food or nutritional health supplements.
This amino acid is one of those many substances that has several uses.
It is an important part of the production of protein and in the removal of waste ammonia from the body. Not only this but arginine has recently been discovered as a way to treat male erectile dysfunction. During 1999 the BJU Journal reported the findings of a research project where fifty sufferers of the condition were placed on a course of either a placebo or five grams of L-arginine. At the end of six weeks, those taking the supplement had a greater improvement than those on the placebo. Arginine creates nitric acid to improve the flow of blood to the penis; Viagra on the other hand blocks the enzyme that reduces nitric acid.
Arginine can improve the amount of growth hormone in the pituitary gland. This has various uses such as transferring fat molecules into the blood supply, which enables it to be burned as energy used in the muscles. The dosage is significant, as is the timing because early production of growth hormone will disrupt the bodys own supply. Nonetheless the substance is of great use to athletes.
It has been used to be beneficial to burn patients and those recovering from surgery as it has been found to help the production of collagen in healthy people over the age of seventy. This means wound healing is improved.
Of course, if arginine helps with the blood supply to the penis, it must follow that it helps in blood flow elsewhere. And that is indeed the case. Sufferers of angina can be given this amino acid to help the effectiveness of all blood vessels. A research study published in Clinical Cardiology in 2000 showed arginine could improve the operation of the heart although in addition to, rather than instead of, existing treatments.
In the light of the data collected so far, it seems the correct use of arginine will reduce blood pressure, control the level of glucose and reduce the mass of fat in the body. Other uses have come to light in other studies: including relieving leg cramps, reduce inflammation of the bladder and improve the operation of transplanted kidneys.
Other uses may well be discovered in the future, including in the treatment of dementia, but there is not enough firm evidence as yet.
Some caution is required in the prescribing of this substance as arginine increases stomach acids so excess quantities may cause indigestion. Equally overdoses may worsen asthma and some allergies. Of course, as this amino acid lowers blood pressure, it should be avoided if you already have problems in that area.
Arginine is clearly important within the body and has a significant influence on our health. It is, as in starting any course of nutritional health supplements, always better to consult a doctor before taking this substance regularly.
This amino acid is one of those many substances that has several uses.
It is an important part of the production of protein and in the removal of waste ammonia from the body. Not only this but arginine has recently been discovered as a way to treat male erectile dysfunction. During 1999 the BJU Journal reported the findings of a research project where fifty sufferers of the condition were placed on a course of either a placebo or five grams of L-arginine. At the end of six weeks, those taking the supplement had a greater improvement than those on the placebo. Arginine creates nitric acid to improve the flow of blood to the penis; Viagra on the other hand blocks the enzyme that reduces nitric acid.
Arginine can improve the amount of growth hormone in the pituitary gland. This has various uses such as transferring fat molecules into the blood supply, which enables it to be burned as energy used in the muscles. The dosage is significant, as is the timing because early production of growth hormone will disrupt the bodys own supply. Nonetheless the substance is of great use to athletes.
It has been used to be beneficial to burn patients and those recovering from surgery as it has been found to help the production of collagen in healthy people over the age of seventy. This means wound healing is improved.
Of course, if arginine helps with the blood supply to the penis, it must follow that it helps in blood flow elsewhere. And that is indeed the case. Sufferers of angina can be given this amino acid to help the effectiveness of all blood vessels. A research study published in Clinical Cardiology in 2000 showed arginine could improve the operation of the heart although in addition to, rather than instead of, existing treatments.
In the light of the data collected so far, it seems the correct use of arginine will reduce blood pressure, control the level of glucose and reduce the mass of fat in the body. Other uses have come to light in other studies: including relieving leg cramps, reduce inflammation of the bladder and improve the operation of transplanted kidneys.
Other uses may well be discovered in the future, including in the treatment of dementia, but there is not enough firm evidence as yet.
Some caution is required in the prescribing of this substance as arginine increases stomach acids so excess quantities may cause indigestion. Equally overdoses may worsen asthma and some allergies. Of course, as this amino acid lowers blood pressure, it should be avoided if you already have problems in that area.
Arginine is clearly important within the body and has a significant influence on our health. It is, as in starting any course of nutritional health supplements, always better to consult a doctor before taking this substance regularly.
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