Arginine is an amino acid that can increase heart health. The way it pulls this off involves making more nitric oxide (NO) in the body, which relaxes the blood vessels. Arginine has also been used to treat congestive heart failure, recovery from heart attacks and cardiovascular diseases, asthma, herpes, altitude sickness, lowering cholesterol and for the common flu and to prevent colds. It is also used to treat cystitis, impotence, and diseases that require increased or improved circulation. Any condition that needs improved It’s been investigated Arginine is found naturally in a wide variety of foods, including chocolate, and protein foods such as fish, meat, nuts, dairy and poultry.
Research That’s Been Done…
Research on using arginine to treat congestive heart failure showed an improvement of symptoms with doses of 5 to 15 grams a day. Hypertension (high blood pressure) responds well to doses of arginine. Recovery from major surgery can be improved by taking arginine as well.
Supplements…
Even though there are plenty of natural sources of arginine, added stress factors in the body can cause a dramatic decrease in arginine in the blood. When taking it, the recommended dosage is often somewhere between 2 grams and 8 grams per day. In research trials, doses up to 15 grams to treat congestive heart failure.
Safety…
Taking doses of to 20 grams a day is considered to be safe and doses up to 30 grams have been utilized. Minor digestive problems can occur, because arginine increases production of the hormone responsible for creating stomach acid, gastrin. Because arginine can change the balance of potassium in the blood, care needs to be taken by those on diuretics or ACE inhibitors or those with liver disease. Those with kidney issues or pregnant and nursing women also need to take care. For diabetes, arginine could lower the blood sugar significantly. Arginine may prevent tolerance to transdermal nitroglycerin. If you have a medical condition, discuss adding arginine to your diet with your health professional.
