Difference between revisions of "Arginine"

Revision as of 10:12, 29 July 2012

Arginine is a conditionally nonessential amino acid, meaning most of the time it can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet. The biosynthetic pathway however does not produce sufficient arginine, and some must still be consumed through diet. Individuals who have poor nutrition or certain physical conditions may be advised to increase their intake of foods containing arginine. Arginine is found in a wide variety of foods, including:

• Animal sources : dairy products (e.g., cottage cheese, ricotta, milk, yogurt, whey protein drinks), beef, pork (e.g., bacon, ham), gelatin , poultry (e.g. chicken and turkey light meat), wild game (e.g. pheasant, quail), seafood (e.g., halibut, lobster, salmon, shrimp, snails, tuna)
• Plant sources : wheat germ and flour, buckwheat, granola, oatmeal, peanuts, nuts (coconut, pecans, cashews, walnuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, pinenuts), seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower), chick peas, cooked soybeans, Phalaris canariensis (canaryseed or ALPISTE)

Special Precautions of Arginine

• A known side effect of L-arginine is that it undermines the effect of lysine in suppression of viral infection. Therefore, for a person infected with viruses (eg. herpes virus), it is recommended to reduce L-arginine supplement dosage or not to eat foods high in L-arginine. Pregnant and lactating women are advised to be cautious with their arginine intake and dosage. Other side effects of l-arginine (when taken in high dosage and for long term) are thickening and coarsening of skin.
• According to some human studies , arginine-HCL consumed at high doses (> 9 g/d) has been associated with side effects such as nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort, and diarrhea.

The benefits of Arginine are

• Aids in liver detoxification
• Detoxifies ammonia
• Increases sperm count in males
• Aids in kidney disorders and trauma
• Maximizes protein synthesis
• Helps lower cholesterol
• Stimulates blood flow
• Stimulates cerebral circulation
• Promotes optimum growth
• Helps to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass
• Assists the body in collagen production
• Assists in the release of growth hormones
• Enhances immune system function
• Cancer : Causes retardation of tumor growth and inhibits cellular replication of tumors.
• Assists in the release of growth hormones
• Enhances immune response
• Improves rate of wound healing (in cases of surgical intervention)

Medical Disclaimer

This information is not meant to be substituted for medical advice. Always consult a medical professional regarding any medical problems and before undertaking any treatment or dietary changes.