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This formula of L-Arginine is well documented and is particularly effective and long-lasting. Plain L-Arginine is rapidly metabolized and used up by the body, so blood levels drop fast if it is not taken frequently throughout the day. However, sustained-release L-arginine maintains ample tissue levels of L-arginine over 24 hours with two capsules daily.

Studies on L-arginine show increased blood flow to the heart muscle and to the limbs, support of healthy blood pressure, and improved vascular elasticity. Research found improvements in cardiac blood flow for patients with impaired heart health on L-arginine. Further investigation documented those cardiovascular improvements began after only one week on L-arginine. In our clinic we have found excellent results with patients using this formula for Raynaud’s disorder, claudication, erectile dysfunction, helping sperm count, maintaining cerebral blood flow for memory support, and for vasculitis. L-Arginine also has important roles in speeding wound healing and protein formation.

About this product

L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid: it is a building block for the body to make nitric oxide which encourages blood vessels to open wider, improving blood flow. Though adult bodies make some arginine, and it is found in nuts, seeds and legumes, several health situations require higher amounts. L-arginine was first recognized in the extract of a lupin seedling in 1886 by a Swiss chemist Ernst Schultze.

L-arginine can benefit cardiovascular conditions including congestive heart failure, atherosclerosis and clogged arteries, coronary artery disease, cardiomyopathy, high blood pressure, peripheral vascular disease with impaired blood flow to the limbs, Raynaud’s disorder with blood vessel spasm triggered by cold exposure, and vascular headaches from blood vessel dysfunction. In all of these situations, arginine improves blood flow as vessels open up, reducing clotting risk, and helping blood become less viscous so that it flows with greater fluidity. Arginine accomplishes this because it is an immediate precursor, or building block, for nitric oxide. Good levels of L-arginine are considered to indicate healthy endothelium, or blood vessel linings.

Nitric oxide is a natural blood vessel-opening molecule: it occurs in the cells of almost all types of organisms, ranging from bacteria to plants, fungi to animals. Nitric oxide is made within cells from L-arginine, oxygen, and NADPH. Each nitric acid molecule lives for only a few seconds. The inner lining of blood vessels, the endothelium, sends nitric oxide as a signaling compound to the surrounding smooth muscle of the vessels. The smooth muscle relaxes, vessels open up (vasodilation), and blood flow increases.

Nitric oxide also helps blood vessel health by inhibiting the over-development of vascular smooth muscle, limiting platelet aggregation and white blood cell adhesion to the endothelium thus reducing clot risk. People with atherosclerosis, diabetes, or high blood pressure often have impaired ability to make helpful nitric oxide. Nitroglycerin and amyl nitrite work as vasodilators because they are converted in the body to nitric oxide. Sildenafil citrate, or Viagra, stimulates erections by enhancing nitric oxide signaling in the penis blood vessels.

For people with cardiomyopathy, L-arginine helps to widen the inside diameter of coronary arteries and has been shown to increase coronary artery blood flow by up to 24%. It appears that chronic inflammation decreases plasma levels of L-arginine, which may partially be why inflammation increases heart risk. L-arginine also raises the free-radical scavenger superoxide dismutase and other protective antioxidants. In heart failure studies, L-arginine was reported to improve cardiac output and drop systemic resistance: the pressure against which the heart must pump blood. Patients were able to walk 8% further in six minutes, their peripheral blood flow improved by 29% and arterial flexibility increased 19%. Kidney function also improved for patients with congestive heart taking L-arginine. For Raynaud’s disorder and peripheral vascular disease, studies show that L-arginine opens the inside luminal diameter of narrowed blood vessels.

For erectile dysfunction, L-arginine boosts nitric oxide production and blood flow to the erectile tissues. Double-blind research verifies that arginine improves the ability to keep an erection during intimacy for 31-87% of men versus 11-22% in the placebo groups. Men taking L-arginine for two to six months scored higher on the International Index of Erectile Function, and their testosterone levels increased markedly.

For low sperm count, L-arginine is frequently effective for raising a sperm count that is at least 20 million per ml to start with. In the most promising study, 74% of men had significantly improved sperm count and motility. Arginine is essential for new cell production and stress can reduce arginine levels in sperm development pathways. To be effective, L-arginine needs to be taken consistently for at least three months. Placebo-controlled trials found that L-arginine increased ejaculate amount, the number of sperm, and the percentage of healthy potent sperm with good motility. L-arginine triggers the body to make protein, which may partly lead to its benefit for sperm production.

Memory and mental acuity may also benefit from L-arginine: Given that impaired blood flow is one of the most common causes of memory loss and reduced cerebral function, we strongly prefer to include L-arginine for memory and neurological support. Research studies have shown that L-arginine may protect motor neurons from toxic injury and slow the progression of nerve damage by preserving the enzyme arginase-1 activity and also neuro-protective polyamines in the brain and spinal cord neurons.

Arginine may improve energy as making arginine in the body uses a lot of ATP which can be saved if supplemental L-arginine is consumed. Because of its role in making protein, arginine can speed tissue repair, reduce healing time for tissue injuries and especially bone fractures. Taking L-arginine before and after surgery seems to help reduce recovery time, reduce infection risk, and improve wound healing. L-arginine is also used by bodybuilders as it may boost growth hormone output.

For immune function, nitric oxide is toxic to bacteria and intracellular parasites; it is generated by phagocytes (monocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils), the cells which engulf microbes. Arginine encourages nitric oxide and thus may support the immune response.

Contents

2 capsules provide:

L-Arginine 1,000 mg, complexed with Time-Sorb®, a time-release matrix

Other Ingredients: High and low viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Calcium Laurate (Time-Sorb®†), Magnesium Citrate (Time-Sorb®†), Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Leucine, Silicon Dioxide

This product does not contain artificial coloring, artificial flavoring, gluten, dairy or soy.

Cautions

Always take natural remedies under the supervision of your health care provider. Do not use L-arginine without the advice of your healthcare professional if you are taking medicines for diabetes or high blood pressure as L-arginine can lower blood sugar and blood pressure. Monitor your blood glucose and pressure regularly.

Check with your healthcare provider before starting L-arginine if you take medicines to improve blood flow to the heart or other organs, including nitrates or Viagra as these may lower blood pressure.

Use caution if you have recurrent oral or genital herpes: there is a chance that L-arginine might make herpes worse: there is evidence that L-arginine is needed for the herpes virus to multiply so there is a chance that L-argine might make herpes worse.
Do not exceed 5,000 mg daily: one study found that heart attack survivors taking 9,000 mg daily for six months had a higher mortality rate.

Do not use L-arginine during pregnancy or lactation unless under the guidance of your physician as there is insufficient data about safe use during pregnancy.