Is L-Arginine For You?

I used to think L-Arginine was only for people who worked out and wanted to get jacked! 

And it certainly can be. But who else can use this amino acid? Way more than you think! Designed for go-getters, everyday athletes, Olympians, or those just looking to support a healthier lifestyle. Keep reading to find out if you could benefit from adding this supplement into your daily routine.

What is it and why do you need it?

L-Arginine, or simply Arginine, is an essential amino acid that is necessary for the body’s production of nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels and allows more blood to flow through arteries. Typically, you will see it in the form of a compound, like L-arginine HCI. 

This amino acid is necessary for our body – it forms proteins that are necessary for humans to function because every cell in the human body contains protein. This protein provides us with energy!

Arginine can be found in many foods, such as meat, fish, nuts and seeds, legumes, whole grains, and dairy products. When you can’t get all your arginine from foods, likely due to food intolerances or specific diets like vegetarianism or veganism, you may need to supplement with powders or pills to hit your needs.

For daily use

We know that L-Arginine is one of the most effective supplements available for helping enhance blood flow and muscle growth, but what about the rest of us? I like to workout, but I don’t have any aspirations of being on any physique or bodybuilding magazine covers. 

No need to be a bodybuilder! Not only is it great for workouts, but it can also be used for chest pain and other blood flow issues, erectile dysfunction, heart failure, migraines, high blood pressure during pregnancy, and anti-aging!

What shocked me the most was the anti-aging benefit, so I dug a little deeper. It turns out it can reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles by keeping your skin firm, plumping, and smoothing! Arginine hydrates dry skin and can restore moisture, much like collagen. In fact, Arginine is known to boost collagen production in your skin, which is the skin’s first line of defense against premature aging. This will help speed up cell regeneration in your skin to keep your skin looking healthy and radiant.

Not only is it great for your skin, but arginine also does wonders for your sex life. I haven’t come across too many studies regarding women’s sex lives improving, however, a lot of the studies done have been on the effects of arginine on men, specifically erectile dysfunction (ED).

L-arginine help to make proteins, but it also becomes nitric oxide (a gas) in the body. This nitric oxide is important for erectile function because it helps blood vessels relax so that more oxygen-rich blood can circulate through your arteries. Without this nitric oxide, the arteries of the penis are not receiving healthy blood flow, and therefore, erectile dysfunction may occur. 

On its own, L-arginine may not “cure” your ED. However, a study done in the Journal of Sex and Marital Therapy found that L-arginine and Pycnogenol taken together helped men aged 25 to 45 with ED achieve normal erections without the negative side effects of prescribed ED medication.* Pycnogenol from French maritime pine bark can have significant impacts on nitric oxide levels in the body, which are responsible for vasodilation and improving blood flow. 

For workouts

Because L-Arginine helps relax and expand blood vessels and boost nitric oxide, it’s often used in the gym to get a good pump. This helps unlock more energy, speeds muscle growth, and enhances stamina of all kinds.

Dosing arginine before a workout will require some work (and experimentation) on your end. You may notice that the standard pre-workout dose of 3-6 grams works for you. Others may be able to take up to 10 grams of arginine at once. Moreover, you may find that maintaining elevated arginine levels is possible if you space out three doses throughout the day. 

Although this is a pretty potent ingredient, it could take a while before you feel and notice a difference. Give yourself a minimum of 24-hours for the l-arginine to absorb into your body. To see the full effects of consistent l-arginine treatment, try it out for up to 3 months.

Another thing to keep in mind is that sometimes arginine on its own is hard to break down in the body because it is not bioavailable. Look for a product that contains Citrulline, another amino acid, as this will be easier to digest and convert into arginine in the kidneys.

What makes NutraChamps L-Arginine great?

When you fuel your body with this premium, proven, pump-inducing powerhouse, you can expect to train longer, harder, and more efficiently. Loaded with essential nitric oxide boosters, NutraChamps’ L-Arginine delivers HCl, AAKG, and L-Citrulline — all the forms of this essential amino acid. But NutraChamps’ formula doesn’t stop there; this breakthrough blend is enhanced with grape seed extract and ginger root to fire up your day even further.

L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate, or AAKG for short, is a modified version of arginine that enhances physical recovery. All forms of L-Arginine help boost energy, but AAKG is especially good at amping-up growth hormone and collagen production for stronger bones, muscles, and joints.

Lastly, we’ve thrown in a good amount of L-Citrulline, an ingredient that the body uses to make L-Arginine. For most people, it’s an even more effective way to raise arginine levels in the body. Citrulline is absorbed especially well when taken orally, so prepare to soak up the full 250 mg dose. This ingredient is also great at boosting your immune system!

Ginger root and grapeseed extract are added to this supplement to lower blood pressure and for additional anti-inflammatory and pain relief benefits.

Have you tried this product? For something similar, take a look at Nitric Charge and Tribulus. Some like to take this alongside products like Maca root powder, Horny Goat Weed, or Korean Panax Ginseng to increase their stamina and sex drive.

Conclusion

Before I had done my research, I thought that L-arginine was a very niche product: only good for those who want to hit the gym and get a good pump in. I now know that although that is true, many groups of people are being left out of the discussion!

Not only is Arginine great for workouts, but it is also helpful for those going through ED (and wanting to avoid OTC options), those who want to improve their skin, those who want better blood circulation overall, and those who have very specific diets that cut out arginine-rich foods. 

Like all other products that are added or taken out of your regimen, I recommend you speak to a family physician, General Practitioner, or medical professional to find out if this product is right for you. Possible side effects include increased risk of bleeding, unhealthy imbalance of potassium in the body, change in blood sugar levels, and decreased blood pressure. You will also want to avoid taking L-arginine if you are also taking prescription ED drugs.

Have you tried L-arginine or Nitric Oxide-boosting supplements? What did you use them for and what kind of effects did you find? Did you like it? Let us know in the comments below!

Resources:

• https://examine.com/supplements/arginine/
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22536-l-arginine
• https://www.healthline.com/health/erectile-dysfunction/l-arginine#side-effects
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6073798/