Arginine is one of the most important amino acids that can be produced in the human body, and also enter it from the outside - with food or special medications. Scientists are still exploring the significance of this substance, but now we can say that it is really necessary for a long and healthy life.
What are the functions in the body that arginine benefits
The most important property of arginine is called by scientists its participation in the formation of nitric oxide, without which the health of the circulatory system is unthinkable (in particular, it acts as a vasodilator and improves the flow of blood to internal organs).
Based on this action, as well as on a number of other properties of arginine (including its interaction with other amino acids and carbohydrates), it can be said about the benefits of this substance:
• improves skin condition (cleanses from rashes, evens out tone);
• helps to increase muscle mass and accelerates the adaptation of connective tissues during sports and fitness;
• accelerates the breakdown of fats entering the body with food and the breakdown (burning) of fatty subcutaneous deposits;
• protects the body from infectious diseases (increasing the percentage of pathogens that have got into it);
• relieves the effects of stress felt on a physical and emotional level;
• heals the liver (enhancing its functions of self-cleaning from toxins);
• activates the body's ability to generate vital energy;
• normalizes blood sugar;
• treats gastritis and many digestive disorders;
• improves mood and improves performance;
• regulates the formation of new cells (which can be considered as part of the prevention of cancer);
• lowers the level of harmful cholesterol and destroys its deposits in the vessels;
• lowers blood pressure to normal;
• improves the hormonal background of women (in connection with which it can be used as an element of the prevention of infertility);
• positively affects potency;
• prevents pathologies in the prostate gland;
• prevents arrhythmia and reduces the risk of heart attack.
What conditions create the need for arginine?
Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid. The fact is that although it can be synthesized by the human body, this is not always possible in full.
For example, children only with age (by 16 years) can produce arginine fully, and in adults, its formation gradually slows down after 35 years.
In addition, a good synthesis of it is possible only with perfect health, if at least something is broken in it, this provokes a deficiency of arginine.
So it’s useful to know about cases in which the needs for it are especially great, these include:
• protracted stress and increased emotional stress;
• overweight or weight loss below normal;
• chronic liver disease;
• significant and regular physical activity;
• sleep disturbances (caused by interruptions in sleep-wakefulness or other reasons);
• high blood cholesterol;
• stay in adverse weather and environmental conditions (this may include summer heat and polluted atmosphere);
• diabetes;
• recovery periods after serious illnesses, injuries, operations;
• chronic hypertension or hypotension;
• hormonal disorders;
• winter epidemics of infectious diseases (such as influenza), which are a serious test for the immune system;
• menstruation (plus PMS) and menopause.
What Arginine Can Benefit From
The daily requirement for this amino acid for adults is about 6 g, for children - 4 g, but for adults involved in sports, the first indicator can be increased.
Arginine is found in many products, there is plenty to choose from, but nutritionists recommend not focusing on one thing, but rather get it a little from many varieties of food, thus maintaining a balance of intake of other useful substances in the body.
The highest amino acid content (measured in grams per 100 g) are different:
• nuts with grains and especially pumpkin seeds (5.3 g), sesame seeds (2.6 g), peanuts (3 g), walnuts (2.3 g);
• legumes, for example, dried peas (2.2 g);
• many cereals, for example, wild rice (1.1 g) and still sprouted wheat (1.8 g);
• snails (2.6 g);
• veal and pork (1.3 g);
• shrimp (1.8 g);
• tuna and anchovies (1.7 g);
• dairy and sour-milk products (1 g or less in many, but, for example, in parmesan and milk powder - 1.3 g).
Regarding its digestibility, one thing can be said - the method of cooking affects it exactly to the extent that it affects proteins in principle, that is, it is recommended that the same meat be eaten not fried in boiling oil, but stewed, baked or steamed, but dairy products and nuts are best consumed in the morning.
Arginine as an artificial additive can also be found in skincare products:
• it is added to shampoos to enhance hair growth and strengthen it, protect it from such adverse factors as frequent styling with hot tools (tongs, curling iron);
• it is included in creams and body gels to make the skin more elastic and toned, smooth and accelerate its restoration at the cellular level (which can help, for example, in the fight against cellulite).
Can there be harm from arginine
Talking about the dangers of arginine as an element synthesized by the body and entering it with food is virtually impossible - it is vital, and you won’t get enough of it as much as cottage cheese or lobster.
But when it comes to special supplements (from food supplements to drugs prescribed to support the heart and rehabilitation after surgery) with arginine, everything is more complicated here.
Firstly, the expediency and admissibility of their appointment, as well as the duration of the course of their administration and dosage, should be determined by the doctor.
Secondly, even after consulting a specialist, you can encounter side effects and intolerance of the artificial form of arginine, and if you ignore this and continue taking drugs, with far-reaching consequences, including disturbances in the respiratory system, joint deformation, and much more.
In addition, for the intake of amino acids in the composition of the preparations, there are a number of strict contraindications:
• almost all liver diseases;
• childhood and adolescence;
• inflammatory kidney disease;
• heart diseases;
• period of treatment for infertility, pregnancy and lactation;
• current inflammatory processes in the body;
• asthma;
• the presence of benign or malignant diseases;
• taking anticoagulants or blood clotting agents (the ability of arginine to activate blood circulation and thin the blood in combination with them can lead to the most negative consequences, up to internal bleeding with a seemingly minor injury).
In cases of using care products with this amino acid, the effect is directed to specific areas and is effective, but due to the modest dosage, it is at a level when it is virtually impossible to get harm from arginine.
