Arginine

    Written by:
    Thomas Solomon

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Mike Murray, Nick Milazzo
    Last Updated: January 23, 2023

    Arginine is an amino acid involved in the regulation of vascular function and blood flow. Supplementation may improve high blood pressure and erectile dysfunction.

    49 references on this page
    1,846 participants in 16 trials and 2 meta-analyses

    Overview

    Dosage information

    The standard preworkout dose for arginine is 3–6 grams.

    Taking more than 10 grams of arginine at once can result in gastrointestinal distress and diarrhea, but it is possible to maintain elevated arginine levels throughout the day by taking three spaced doses (15–18 grams/day). However, citrulline supplementation is more effective at maintaining elevated arginine levels for long periods of time.

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Blood glucose - Monti LD, Setola E, Lucotti PC, Marrocco-Trischitta MM, Comola M, Galluccio E, Poggi A, Mammì S, Catapano AL, Comi G, Chiesa R, Bosi E, Piatti PMEffect of a long-term oral l-arginine supplementation on glucose metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialDiabetes Obes Metab.(2012 Oct)
    2. Nitric Oxide - Lucotti P, Setola E, Monti LD, Galluccio E, Costa S, Sandoli EP, Fermo I, Rabaiotti G, Gatti R, Piatti PBeneficial effects of a long-term oral L-arginine treatment added to a hypocaloric diet and exercise training program in obese, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patientsAm J Physiol Endocrinol Metab.(2006 Nov)
    3. Oxidative Stress Biomarkers - Jabłecka A, Bogdański P, Balcer N, Cieślewicz A, Skołuda A, Musialik KThe effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on fasting glucose, HbA1c, nitric oxide and total antioxidant status in diabetic patients with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease of lower extremitiesEur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci.(2012 Mar)
    4. Insulin - Isidori A, Lo Monaco A, Cappa MA study of growth hormone release in man after oral administration of amino acidsCurr Med Res Opin.(1981)
    5. Growth Hormone - Collier SR, Casey DP, Kanaley JAGrowth hormone responses to varying doses of oral arginineGrowth Horm IGF Res.(2005 Apr)
    6. Nitric Oxide - Liu TH, Wu CL, Chiang CW, Lo YW, Tseng HF, Chang CKNo effect of short-term arginine supplementation on nitric oxide production, metabolism and performance in intermittent exercise in athletesJ Nutr Biochem.(2009 Jun)
    7. Plasma Arginine - Wilson AM, Harada R, Nair N, Balasubramanian N, Cooke JPL-arginine supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: no benefit and possible harmCirculation.(2007 Jul 10)
    8. Nitric Oxide - Willoughby DS, Boucher T, Reid J, Skelton G, Clark MEffects of 7 days of arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation on blood flow, plasma L-arginine, nitric oxide metabolites, and asymmetric dimethyl arginine after resistance exerciseInt J Sport Nutr Exerc Metab.(2011 Aug)
    9. Nitric Oxide - Schwedhelm E, Maas R, Freese R, Jung D, Lukacs Z, Jambrecina A, Spickler W, Schulze F, Böger RHPharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of oral L-citrulline and L-arginine: impact on nitric oxide metabolismBr J Clin Pharmacol.(2008 Jan)
    10. Endothelial Function - Fahs CA, Heffernan KS, Fernhall BHemodynamic and vascular response to resistance exercise with L-arginineMed Sci Sports Exerc.(2009 Apr)
    11. Plasma Arginine - Bode-Böger SM, Böger RH, Galland A, Tsikas D, Frölich JCL-arginine-induced vasodilation in healthy humans: pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationshipBr J Clin Pharmacol.(1998 Nov)
    12. Triglycerides - Sepandi M, Abbaszadeh S, Qobady S, Taghdir MEffect of L-Arginine supplementation on lipid profiles and inflammatory markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.Pharmacol Res.(2019-Oct)
    13. Nitric Oxide - Stephen J. Bailey, Paul G. Winyard, Anni Vanhatalo, Jamie R. Blackwell, Fred J. DiMenna, Daryl Paul Wilkerson, and Andrew M. JonesAcute L-arginine supplementation reduces the O2 cost of moderate-intensity exercise and enhances high-intensity exercise toleranceJournal of Applied Physiology.()
    14. Growth Hormone - Marcell TJ, Taaffe DR, Hawkins SA, Tarpenning KM, Pyka G, Kohlmeier L, Wiswell RA, Marcus ROral arginine does not stimulate basal or augment exercise-induced GH secretion in either young or old adultsJ Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci.(1999 Aug)
    15. Heart Rate - Wax B, Kavazis AN, Webb HE, Brown SPAcute L-arginine alpha ketoglutarate supplementation fails to improve muscular performance in resistance trained and untrained menJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2012 Apr 17)
    16. Blood Flow - Böger RH, Bode-Böger SM, Thiele W, Creutzig A, Alexander K, Frölich JCRestoring vascular nitric oxide formation by L-arginine improves the symptoms of intermittent claudication in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive diseaseJ Am Coll Cardiol.(1998 Nov)
    17. Growth Hormone - Abel T, Knechtle B, Perret C, Eser P, von Arx P, Knecht HInfluence of chronic supplementation of arginine aspartate in endurance athletes on performance and substrate metabolism - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled studyInt J Sports Med.(2005 Jun)
    18. Total cholesterol - Hadi A, Arab A, Moradi S, Pantovic A, Clark CCT, Ghaedi EThe effect of l-arginine supplementation on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Br J Nutr.(2019-Nov-14)