Most people have never heard of L-arginine. Others may know about it but aren’t sure what it is or how it affects their body. This article will tell you exactly what it is and how you can benefit from it.
Arginine is an amino acid that we produce naturally and can also get from our diets. It helps our bodies build necessary proteins, which are used to build muscle and repair tissue. The body converts L-arginine into nitric oxide, which is released into the blood and is essential for opening blood vessels and supporting heart and brain health. This step can save the life of someone suffering from heart disease, hypertension, or someone with circulatory issues. Insulin is also released into the body during this process.
The Health Benefits
In addition to improving heart health, arginine is highly effective at reducing inflammation and improving immune function. Arginine, when taken with Vitamin C and Omega-3 fish oil, can help slow the effects of aging and prevent other chronic diseases. It can also improve the central nervous system.
If you’re an exercise buff, or just want to get better results, arginine can improve exercise performance and stamina. It does this by improving blood flow, bringing nutrients and oxygen to muscles and joints. This allows you to exercise at higher intensity with less pain.
A surprising health benefit of arginine is that it improves sexual function in men and women. Who knew! Arginine improves circulation in genital tissues, increasing sexual pleasure. It also treats erectile dysfunction and male infertility.
Arginine also helps the kidneys do their work; it promotes wound healing and balances hormones.
Arginine vs L-Arginine – What is the Difference?
The difference is simple. Arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid found in the body and in certain foods. L-Arginine is a popular supplement form of arginine that can be ingested or obtained from certain foods. Some cardiologists highly recommend L-arginine because it helps reduce inflammation and improve heart health. People with serious heart problems may prevent a heart attack or stroke just by taking L-arginine. Some people can’t produce all the arginine their body needs and must supplement it. This is true for older people and those with certain medical conditions. In this case, a doctor may prescribe the supplement in an oral medication, injection, or cream.
Why Arginine and Lysine Combined Are Important
Lysine is another amino acid. It can weaken arginine’s ability to consolidate specific proteins. This is especially helpful for people who have herpes outbreaks, like cold sores or genital blisters. Viruses need arginine to replicate and continue the process to become viral infections. When lysine is present, it slows down the arginine or prevents it entirely. When arginine is present, an infection can spread quickly and become more widespread throughout the body. When it is not present, the virus remains dormant. Simply adding lysine to the diet by eating legumes, lentils, and soybeans can help. Brewer’s yeast is also a good source of lysine. Even if you don’t have herpes, eating foods rich in lysine can help you feel better if you’re tired and not feeling well.
Arginine Food Sources
· The highest sources of arginine are in white meat, such as turkey breast, which provides 16.2 g, vs chicken, which provides 2.78 g. Beef provides 4.1 g.
· Nuts and seeds, like walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts, are also rich in arginine but not nearly as much as meat.
· Plant-based sources include legumes, such as soybeans, raw peanuts, and chickpeas, and are a good alternative to meat. They provide a good source of arginine.
· Seaweed can be added to the diet to increase the intake of arginine.
The Health Risks of L-Arginine
Too much arginine can make the symptoms of herpes worse because arginine is needed for the herpes virus to replicate. It can also cause cold sores by interrupting the body’s balance of arginine and lysine. People with low blood pressure, severe liver disease, and recent heart attack patients should not take arginine supplements.
Arginine can indeed save your life if you have a heart condition. Hopefully, your problem is not that serious, and you will just benefit from having a better sex life!
LaVera J. Forbes, PhD, MS, CHN, is the founder of Dr. LaVera’s Healthy Aging, LLC. Find free healthy aging resources at drlavera.com.
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