What happens in case of deficiency or excess of L-arginine?

L-arginine deficiency occurs especially in old age, during illnesses or stress situations and affects the immune system.

Deficiency Symptoms:

• High blood pressure
• Susceptibility to infection
• Wound healing disorders
• Restlessness and insomnia

Often these conditions can be controlled by changing your diet. However, nutrition alone may not be enough and you may need to take additional supplements.

There is no need to worry when taking high doses. Because L-arginine is very well tolerated in the body. In daily doses of about 10 g, it can cause mild side effects that usually go away on their own. It may also interact with drugs used to treat erectile dysfunction and lower blood pressure. In animal experiments L-arginine was toxic only at levels of about 10 g per kilogram of body weight.

What are the functions of L-arginine in the body?

• Regulates blood circulation and blood pressure
• Plays a central role in sperm formation
• Helps the body create its own collagen and protein
• Helps detoxify the body through urea metabolism
• Affects the release of growth hormones
• It is also important for a properly functioning immune system
• Supports healthy muscle building
• It plays an effective role in the treatment of arteriosclerosis (vascular calcification), especially when combined with folic acid, vitamin B6 and vitamin B12
• Supports treatment of erectile dysfunction
• Used to improve capillary circulation in conditions such as hair loss and tinnitus
• Used in insulin resistance and diabetes

Effects of L-arginine on the Immune System

L-arginine has a positive effect on the immune system and helps against weakened immunity.

Studies have concluded that L-arginine supplementation can strengthen the immune system in many diseases or in cases of severe stress. It is especially ideal for strengthening the immune system in people who are frequently ill, chronically ill and those who get infections quickly.

L-arginine promotes increased collagen formation. Collagen is important for wound healing. Accordingly, L-arginine has also been found to have a positive effect on wound healing.

Effects of L-arginine on Inflammation

Reducing inflammation with L-arginine supplementation in important physiological processes such as immune function, wound healing and organ perfusion is a healthy option.

It has been recognized as a reasonable therapeutic option to restore reduced arginine levels in patients following inflammation.

Effects of L-arginine on the Cardiovascular System

High blood pressure and cardiovascular problems are observed more rapidly and commonly in our society than ever before (1).

L-arginine plays an important role in the vascular system and thus in blood pressure and blood flow. Since narrowed vessels result in poor blood circulation and high blood pressure, it makes sense to use the amino acid in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Since arteriosclerosis mainly describes calcification of the arterial vasculature, the risk of heart attack and stroke is greatly increased as a result of lack of diagnosis or incorrect treatment. B vitamins, in combination with L-arginine, lower the level of homocysteine in our blood. Homocysteine is a substance created by the body during protein metabolism. In high concentrations it can inhibit blood circulation, similar to cholesterol.

According to studies, there is also ample evidence that oral supplementation with L-arginine significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

In an acute heart attack, the arteries in the human body narrow as a result of arteriosclerosis. As a result, the worst case is a heart attack and restricted or even completely interrupted blood flow. According to studies, L-arginine can be administered to people who have suffered an acute heart attack without any problems.

Effects of L-arginine on Diabetes

The number of diabetics has increased dramatically in the last three decades. Studies have shown that L-arginine, when taken with other amino acids, reduces the effects of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mainly affects older people with reduced insulin sensitivity. Medical research has shown promising results from L-arginine supplements in this context.

Diabetes prevention studies have indicated that people suffering from impaired glucose tolerance may benefit from taking L-arginine. Among other effects, the amino acid L-arginine has a beneficial effect on the regeneration of important beta cells in the pancreas.

Effects of L-arginine on Erectile Dysfunction

The underlying cause of erectile dysfunction in men, especially as they get older, is circulatory problems. This is due to the low elasticity of the blood vessels.

Another domain of L-arginine is sexuality. People with erectile dysfunction can benefit from this amino acid. Many urologists and andrologists agree that high doses of L-arginine can eliminate erection problems in men. This is mainly due to the vasodilator effect, which allows more blood to flow.

L-arginine can increase nitric oxide (NO) production, and this nitric oxide plays a central role in erections. There are studies supporting that L-arginine supplementation may have a beneficial effect on NO levels in men with erectile dysfunction, leading to improvement in potency.

L-arginine is not only involved in the development of erection, but also in sperm formation. Whether and to what extent the use of the amino acid L-arginine can be used to increase sperm count and motility is controversial within the scope of research. However, there are studies that support this assumption.

Effects of L-arginine on Muscle Building and Sports Performance

L-arginine has been shown to have a number of positive effects on strength, endurance and regenerative ability. One of the reasons for this is that it supports the secretion of growth hormones.

Effects of L-arginine on Anxiety

Studies have shown that the amino acid L-arginine has positive effects when used in combination with other supplements in the treatment of anxiety disorders.