Arginine is an amino acid

Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid that plays an important role in various physiological processes. Here’s a detailed review:

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1. Main Features

• Chemical formula: CHh₁₄n₄o₂.
• Type: L-arginine (biologically active form).
• Status:
  • In healthy adults, arginine is synthesized in the body (in the liver and kidneys).
  • In children, pregnant women, with injuries or diseases, it becomes irreplaceable (it requires admission with food or supplements).

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2. Biological functions

a. Synthesis of nitric oxide (NO)

Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide, which is used in the treatment of:

• Dilates blood vessels , improves blood flow, and lowers blood pressure.
• Supports the health of the cardiovascular system.
• Participates in the transmission of signals between cells.

b. Participation in the urea cycle

Arginine helps remove ammonia from the body, converting it to urea (detoxification).

c. Protein and hormone synthesis

• Participates in the creation of muscle proteinsProteins are high-molecular organic substances consisting of alpha-amino acids linked in a chain by a peptide bond. In living organisms, the amino acid composition of proteins is determined by the genetic code. During synthesis, 20 standard amino acids are used in most cases. Many combinations of them determine the great diversity of properties of protein molecules. Proteins play a key role in the immune response and can perform transport, storage, catalytic, structural, and receptor functions. Proteins are an important part of the nutrition of animals and humans. The main sources of proteins are meat, poultry, fish, milk, nuts, legumes, and grains..
• It stimulates the production of hormonesHormones are biologically active substances that are produced by specialized cells or glands (such as endocrine glands) and regulate various physiological processes in the body. They act as chemical signals that are transmitted through the bloodstream to organs and tissues to control and coordinate a wide range of functions, including metabolism, growth and development, reproduction, mood, and more. Examples include insulin, testosterone, estrogen, and adrenaline.: insulin, growth hormone, prolactin.

d. The immune system

• Increases the activity of T-lymphocytes and macrophages.
• Accelerates wound healing.

e. Reproductive health

• Improves blood supply to the genitals → used in the treatment of erectile dysfunction.

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3. Food sources

• Animals: red meat, chicken, turkey, fish (salmon, tuna), dairy products.
• Vegetablesources: nuts (walnuts, almonds), seeds (pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds), legumes (soy, lentils), chocolate, whole grains.
• Daily requirement: ~2-5 g for adults (depends on age, state of health).

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4. Application in additives

Arginine is popular in sports nutrition and medicine:

• Sport:
  • Increases stamina by improving blood flow.
  • It stimulates muscle growth (through the production of growth hormone).
• Medicine:
  • Cardiovascular diseases (hypertension, atherosclerosis).
  • Erectile dysfunction (in combination with pycnogenol or yohimbine).
  • Immune support for infections.
• Forms of supplements: capsules, powder, solutions for injection.

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5. Side effects and contraindications

• Side effects (in excess):
  • Nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
  • Decreased blood pressure, dizziness.
  • Exacerbation of herpes (the virus uses arginine to reproduce).
• Contraindications:
  • Acute renal or hepatic insufficiency.
  • Schizophrenia (may increase symptoms).
  • Concomitant use with antihypertensive drugs (risk of a sharp drop in blood pressure).