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Benefits of Arginine
 Causes
the Body to Release Vital Hormones
Stimulates
Sexuality
Increases
Lean Muscle Mass and Burns Fat
Lowers
Cholesterol
Boosts
the Immune System
Speeds
Recovery from Surgery and Injury.
Arginine is
a vitally important amino acid that has been studied for more than fifty
years. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and protein is the
building block of all living cells. The greatest portion of human body
weight, after water, is protein. On the cellular level, the principal
function of DNA is to provide the "blueprints" for production of hundreds of
different proteins, each constructed from unique sequences of amino acids
that are held together by peptide bonds. There are more than twenty commonly
known amino acids, and additional amino acids are periodically identified,
classified, and studied.
Arginine has been linked to enhanced
immunity, the release of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH), greater muscle
mass, rapid healing from injury, increased sexual potency, and helping to
reverse atherosclerosis. [2]
Why People Take It
Arthritis. Found in high
concentrations in the connective tissues, arginine
is a component of collagen that plays a vital role in the production of new
tissue and bone cells. [3]
Alzheimer's Patients. Arginine
may prove helpful in treating Alzheimer's, because it raises polyamine
levels. [1]
Cancer Patients. Arginine
retards tumor growth by enhancing immune function. [3, 9]
Arginine increases the size and activity
of the thymus gland, which produces T-cells. Large doses of
arginine can lower polyamines, which are
present in various cancers in elevated levels. [1]
Arginine has been found to inhibit the growth of several types of
tumors in laboratory mice.
Liver Disorders. Arginine
aids in liver detoxification by neutralizing ammonia, and may benefit in the
treatment of liver disorders such as liver injury, hepatic cirrhosis, and
fatty liver degeneration. [1, 3, 9]
Weight Loss. Arginine
facilitates a reduction in body fat, while increasing lean muscle mass. [3]
Arginine inhibits the absorption of
dietary fat.
Body Building. More than fifty research studies reportedly
support the value of arginine
supplementation for athletes. [4] Arginine
is considered to be key to efficient muscle metabolism because of its role
in the transport, storage, and elimination of nitrogen. Creatine is derived
from arginine, as are guanidophosphate
and phosphoarginine, all of which have roles in muscle metabolism.
After a vigorous workout, the body has increased testosterone and HGH
production for a period lasting approximately two hours. During this
timeframe, dietary arginine and
ornithine can contribute to a hormonal environment that produces increased
protein synthesis and muscle growth. [14]
Fertility. Seminal fluid contains substantial quantities of
arginine, and
arginine may be beneficial in treating sterility in men. [13] In
one study, men with low sperm counts took 4 grams of
arginine orally, with 80% of the men showing significant
improvement, in some cases resulting in pregnancies. [9]
Arginine is also noted by one researcher
for its ability to increase libido and induce erections. [7, 8]
Arginine, ornithine, and aspartic acid
have been shown to have a positive effect on sperm viability and motility.
[1]
Inherited Urea Cycle Disorders (Rare).
Arginine therapy is employed in the
treatment of arginemia, citrullinemia, and argininosuccinic aciduria. [1]
Anti-Aging
Considerations
Arginine is
involved in the production of variety of enzymes and hormones.
Arginine facilitates the release of HGH,
stimulates the pancreas for insulin production, and is a component in the
hormone vasopressin produced by the pituitary gland. [3] One mechanism for
arginine as an HGH releaser may be its
capacity for blocking secretion of the HGH-inhibitor: somatostatin. [8]
HGH-release by means of arginine may
offer benefits in the treatment of fractures and injuries, as well
strengthening the immune system, building lean muscle, burning fat, and
reversing many of the effects of aging. [9]
The elderly respond to arginine with
substantially increased levels of glucose and growth hormone. [1] A study at
the Division of Endocrinology at the University of Turin involving normal
adults aged 66-82 who tripled the level of HGH in their blood after
administration of 30-gram injections of arginine.
[4, 8]
Arginine is essential for optimum growth
and in the regulation of protein metabolism. [1] The main source of energy
for muscle and other cells is glucose, but glucose metabolism produces
ammonia, which is toxic unless rapidly converted to another compound. The
primary metabolic role of arginine is in
stimulating the enzyme that starts the urea cycle, which converts ammonia
into a less toxic compound called urea that the blood carries to the kidneys
for excretion.
As a cholesterol fighter, a high ratio of arginine-to-lysine
is recommended. [1] In the urea cycle, citrulline is a precursor of
arginine, so it may be that foods rich
in citrulline (onions, scallions, garlic) lower cholesterol because the
citrulline is converted to arginine in
the body.
As a booster of the immune system, arginine
stimulates the thymus and promotes lymphocyte production. [9, 10] This may
be the key to arginine's ability to
promote healing of burns and other wounds. During stress (good or bad), the
thymus gland typically shrinks, and sickness results; however,
arginine facilitates the maintenance of
the gland's proper size and normal production of lymphocytes. [15]
In support of brain function, arginine
is believed to serve as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO), a
neurotransmitter. [1]. Nitric oxide plays a role in the dilation and
constriction of small blood vessels in brain. Therefore,
arginine may have a positive effect on
cerebral circulation. Arginine
pyroglutamate is cited for having cognitive-enhancing effects. [16]
Related to its neurotransmitter function and its role as a precursor of NO,
L-arginine has been noted for its critical role in stimulating
healthy sex drive and enhanced sexual performance in men and women.
READ HERE[7]
In summary, L-arginine is one of the
most powerful tools in any anti-aging program because of its
functional value in promoting the production of HGH and other hormones,
strengthening the immune system, improving lean muscle mass and reducing
fat, regulating several vital metabolic processes, improving cholesterol
profiles, supporting brain function, and enhancing sexuality. Hundreds of
studies have been undertaken to date, and clearly
arginine merits further research.
Safety Considerations
Individuals with herpes and other viral infections should not take
arginine supplements, because
arginine seems to promote the viral
growth. [3, 17]
Persons diagnosed as having schizophrenia are advised to avoid dietary
supplementation of arginine above 30
milligrams per day. [2, 3]
Arginine supplementation is not advised
for pregnant women or nursing mothers [2], nor should supplemental amino
acids be administered to a child. [3, 9]Order Argenix
or Cardio Cocktail below (Both Products contain Arginine)
References
[1] Braverman, M.D., E.R, The Healing
Nutrients Within (New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1997), pages
18, 21-23, 212, 214, 219-221, 223, 228-229. ISBN 0-87983-706-3
[2] Cooper, M.D., M.P.H., Kenneth H., Advanced Nutritional Therapies
(Nashville: 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers), pages 87-88, 93, 94. ISBN
0-7852-7302-6
[3] Balch, M.D., James F., and Balch, C.N.C, Phyllis A., Prescription for
Nutritional Healing, Second Edition (Garden City Park, NY: 1997, Avery
Publishing Group), pages 35-36. ISBN 0-89529-727-2
[4] Colgan, Ph.D., Michael, Optimum Sports Nutrition: Your Competitive
Edge (Ronkonkoma NY: 1993, Advanced Research Press), pages 268, 330,
333-334. ISBN 0-964840-5-9
[5] Barbul, A. et al., Surgery, vol. 90, p. 244, 1981, as cited
in Quillin, Ph.D., R.D., Patrick, Healing Nutrients (New York: 1989,
Vintage), page 164. ISBN 0-679-72187-8
[6] Pearson, Durk and Shaw, Sandy, Life Extension: A Practical Scientific
Approach (New York: 1980, Warner Books), pages 289, 612. ISBN
0-446-38735-5
[7] Lamm, M.D., Steven and Couzens, Gerald Secor, Younger at Last: The
New World of Vitality Medicine (New York: 1997, Simon & Schuster), pages
62-64. ISBN 0-684-83438-3
[8] Klatz, D.O., Ronald with Kahn, Carol, Grow Young with HGH (New
York: 1997, HarperCollins Publishers, Inc.), pages 200, 201, 206, 304. ISBN
0-06-018682-8
[9] Hendler, M.D., Ph.D., Sheldon Saul, The Doctor's Vitamin and Mineral
Encyclopedia (New York: 1990, Fireside), pages 209-215. ISBN 0-671-66784-X
[10] Mindell, Ph.D., Earl, Earl Mindell's Anti-Aging Bible (New York:
1996, Fireside), pages 23-24. ISBN 0-684-81106-5
[11] Murray, N.D., Michael T. and Pizzorno, N.D., Joseph, Encyclopedia of
Natural Medicine (Rocklin, California: 1991, Prima Publishing), page
359. ISBN 0-55958-091-7
[12] Le Vert, Suzanne, HGH: The Promise of Eternal Youth (New York:
1997, Avon Books), page 169. ISBN 0-380-78885-3
[13] Quillin, Ph.D., R.D., Patrick, Healing Nutrients (New York:
1989, Vintage), pages 274, 368. ISBN 0-679-72187-8
[14] DiPasqual, M.D., Mauro G., Body Building Supplement Review (no
city listed: 1995, Optimum Training Systems), page 37.
[15] Visek, W.J., Journal of Nutrition, vol. 116, p. 36, Jan. 1986,
as cited in Quillin, Ph.D., R.D., Patrick, Healing Nutrients
(New York: 1989, Vintage), page 165. ISBN 0-679-72187-8
[16] Dean, M.D., Ward and Morgenthaler, John, Smart Drugs & Nutrients
(Menlo Park: 1990, Health Freedom Publications), page 68. ISBN 0-9627418-9-2
[17] Whitaker, M.D., Julian, Dr. Whitaker's Guide to Natural Healing
(Rocklin, California: Prima Publishing, 1996), page 269. ISBN 1-55958-495-5
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