Citrulline

    Written by:
    Louie Neri

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Peter Woznik, Molly Gregas
    Last Updated: November 2, 2023

    L-Citrulline, or simply just citrulline, is a nonessential amino acid. It is efficiently turned into L-arginine in the kidneys after supplementation, which makes it a good choice for increasing nitric oxide synthesis in the body.

    53 references on this page
    3,356 participants in 46 trials and 3 meta-analyses

    Overview

    Dosage information

    To supplement L-citrulline for circulatory health or to alleviate erectile dysfunction, take 2,000 mg of citrulline, three times a day with meals, for a total daily dose of 6,000 mg. L-citrulline does not need to be taken with meals, however.

    To supplement for circulatory health with a citrulline malate supplement, take 1.76 g of citrulline malate for every 1 gram of citrulline you would normally take.

    To supplement L-citrulline to enhance sports performance, take 6,000 – 8,000 mg of citrulline malate about an hour before exercise. On days that you don't exercise, it can be broken up into smaller doses.

    Examine Database: Citrulline

    General Athletic Performance
    Muscle Size & Strength
    General Cardiovascular Health
    High Blood Pressure
    Aerobic Exercise Performance
    Cycling Performance
    Obesity
    Metabolic Health
    Muscle Recovery
    Heart Failure
    Asthma
    Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease
    Type 2 Diabetes
    Anaerobic Exercise Performance
    Cardiovascular Disease
    Digestive Health
    Eisenmenger Syndrome
    Erectile Dysfunction
    Immune Health
    Pulmonary Hypertension
    Tennis Performance

    Research FeedRead all studies

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    One new meta analysis added

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    Reviewed by

    Nick Milazzo

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Blood Lactate (Exercise) - Benjamin Wax, Andreas N Kavazis, Kevin Weldon, Joseph SperlakEffects of supplemental citrulline malate ingestion during repeated bouts of lower-body exercise in advanced weightliftersJ Strength Cond Res.(2015 Mar)
    2. Blood Lactate (Exercise) - Fatih Kiyici, Hüseyin Eroğlu, N Fazil Kishali, Guleda BurmaogluThe Effect of Citrulline/Malate on Blood Lactate Levels in Intensive ExerciseBiochem Genet.(2017 Dec)
    3. Blood Lactate (Exercise) - Andrew J Chappell, Daniel M Allwood, Trevor N SimperCitrulline Malate Fails to Improve German Volume Training Performance in Healthy Young Men and WomenJ Diet Suppl.(2020)
    4. Blood Lactate (Exercise) - Hickner RC, Tanner CJ, Evans CA, Clark PD, Haddock A, Fortune C, Geddis H, Waugh W, McCammon ML-citrulline reduces time to exhaustion and insulin response to a graded exercise testMed Sci Sports Exerc.(2006 Apr)
    5. Blood Lactate (Exercise) - Benjamin Wax, Andreas N Kavazis, William LuckettEffects of Supplemental Citrulline-Malate Ingestion on Blood Lactate, Cardiovascular Dynamics, and Resistance Exercise Performance in Trained MalesJ Diet Suppl.(2016)
    6. Blood Lactate (Exercise) - Eric T Trexler, Dale S Keith, Todd A Schwartz, Eric D Ryan, Lee Stoner, Adam M Persky, Abbie E Smith-RyanEffects of Citrulline Malate and Beetroot Juice Supplementation on Blood Flow, Energy Metabolism, and Performance During Maximum Effort Leg Extension ExerciseJ Strength Cond Res.(2019 Sep)
    7. Weight - Paul Hwang, Flor E Morales Marroquín, Josh Gann, Tom Andre, Sarah McKinley-Barnard, Caelin Kim, Masahiko Morita, Darryn S WilloughbyEight weeks of resistance training in conjunction with glutathione and L-Citrulline supplementation increases lean mass and has no adverse effects on blood clinical safety markers in resistance-trained malesJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2018 Jun 27)
    8. Fatigue Symptoms - Bendahan D, Mattei JP, Ghattas B, Confort-Gouny S, Le Guern ME, Cozzone PJCitrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in human exercising muscleBr J Sports Med.(2002 Aug)
    9. Fatigue Symptoms - Pérez-Guisado J, Jakeman PMCitrulline malate enhances athletic anaerobic performance and relieves muscle sorenessJ Strength Cond Res.(2010 May)
    10. Aerobic Exercise Metrics - Stephen J Bailey, Jamie R Blackwell, Terrence Lord, Anni Vanhatalo, Paul G Winyard, Andrew M Jonesl-Citrulline supplementation improves O2 uptake kinetics and high-intensity exercise performance in humansJ Appl Physiol (1985).(2015 Aug 15)
    11. Muscular Endurance - Adam M Gonzalez, Robert W Spitz, Jamie J Ghigiarelli, Katie M Sell, Gerald T MangineAcute Effect of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Upper-Body Resistance Exercise Performance in Recreationally Resistance-Trained MenJ Strength Cond Res.(2018 Nov)
    12. Muscular Endurance - Glenn JM, Gray M, Wethington LN, Stone MS, Stewart RW Jr, Moyen NEAcute citrulline malate supplementation improves upper- and lower-body submaximal weightlifting exercise performance in resistance-trained femalesEur J Nutr.(2017 Mar)
    13. Power Output - Glenn JM, Gray M, Jensen A, Stone MS, Vincenzo JLAcute citrulline-malate supplementation improves maximal strength and anaerobic power in female, masters athletes tennis playersEur J Sport Sci.(2016 Nov)
    14. Body Fat - Arturo Figueroa, Stacey Alvarez-Alvarado, Michael J Ormsbee, Takudzwa A Madzima, Jeremiah C Campbell, Alexei WongImpact of L-citrulline supplementation and whole-body vibration training on arterial stiffness and leg muscle function in obese postmenopausal women with high blood pressureExp Gerontol.(2015 Mar)
    15. Oxygen Uptake - John Ashley, Youngdeok Kim, Joaquin U GonzalesImpact of l-citrulline supplementation on oxygen uptake kinetics during walkingAppl Physiol Nutr Metab.(2018 Jun)
    16. Immunity - Sureda A, Cordova A, Ferrer MD, Tauler P, Perez G, Tur JA, Pons AEffects of L-citrulline oral supplementation on polymorphonuclear neutrophils oxidative burst and nitric oxide production after exerciseFree Radic Res.(2009 Sep)
    17. Plasma Arginine - Takashi Suzuki, Masahiko Morita, Yoshinori Kobayashi, Ayako KamimuraOral L-citrulline supplementation enhances cycling time trial performance in healthy trained men: Double-blind randomized placebo-controlled 2-way crossover studyJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2016 Feb 19)
    18. Power Output - Joshua L Gills, Jordan M Glenn, Michelle Gray, Braden Romer, Hocheng LuAcute citrulline-malate supplementation is ineffective during aerobic cycling and subsequent anaerobic performance in recreationally active malesEur J Sport Sci.(2020 Feb 18)
    19. Rating of Perceived Exertion - Sean T Stanelle, Kelsey L McLaughlin, Stephen F CrouseOne Week of L-Citrulline Supplementation Improves Performance in Trained CyclistsJ Strength Cond Res.(2020 Mar)
    20. Heart Rate - Figueroa A, Trivino JA, Sanchez-Gonzalez MA, Vicil FOral L-citrulline supplementation attenuates blood pressure response to cold pressor test in young menAm J Hypertens.(2010 Jan)
    21. Heart Rate - Marcos Angel Sanchez-Gonzalez, Andrew Paul Koutnik, Katherine Ramirez, Alexei Wong, Arturo FigueroaThe effects of short term L-citrulline supplementation on wave reflection responses to cold exposure with concurrent isometric exerciseAm J Hypertens.(2013 Apr)
    22. Heart Rate - Arturo Figueroa, Stacey Alvarez-Alvarado, Salvador J Jaime, Roy Kalfonl-Citrulline supplementation attenuates blood pressure, wave reflection and arterial stiffness responses to metaboreflex and cold stress in overweight menBr J Nutr.(2016 Jul)
    23. Arterial Stiffness - Joaquin U Gonzales, Andrea Raymond, John Ashley, Youngdeok KimDoes l-citrulline supplementation improve exercise blood flow in older adults?Exp Physiol.(2017 Dec 1)
    24. Blood Pressure - Huan-Huan Yang, Xin-Li Li, Wei-Guo Zhang, Arturo Figueroa, Li-Hua Chen, Li-Qiang QinEffect of oral L-citrulline on brachial and aortic blood pressure defined by resting status: evidence from randomized controlled trialsNutr Metab (Lond).(2019 Dec 26)
    25. Blood Pressure - Powers R, et al[7-OR]: L-Citrulline administration increases the arginine/ADMA ratio, decreases blood pressure and improves vascular function in obese pregnant womenPregnancy Hypertens.()
    26. Blood Flow - Jeffrey M Rogers, Joshua Gills, Michelle GrayAcute effects of Nitrosigine® and citrulline malate on vasodilation in young adultsJ Int Soc Sports Nutr.(2020 Feb 24)
    27. Heart Rate - Brian Cunniffe, Maria Papageorgiou, Barbara OʼBrien, Nathan A Davies, George K Grimble, Marco CardinaleAcute Citrulline-Malate Supplementation and High-Intensity Cycling PerformanceJ Strength Cond Res.(2016 Sep)
    28. Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) - S Azizi, M Ebrahimi-Mameghani, M Mobasseri, N Karamzad, R MahdaviOxidative stress and nitrate/nitrite (NOx) status following citrulline supplementation in type 2 diabetes: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trialJ Hum Nutr Diet.(2020 Jul 19)
    29. Blood Pressure - Karla Balderas-Munoz, Lilia Castillo-Martínez, Arturo Orea-Tejeda, Oscar Infante-Vázquez, Marcelo Utrera-Lagunas, Raúl Martínez-Memije, Candace Keirns-Davis, Bryan Becerra-Luna, Gabriela Sánchez-VidalImprovement of ventricular function in systolic heart failure patients with oral L-citrulline supplementationCardiol J.(2012)
    30. Blood Pressure - Juan José Orozco-Gutiérrez, Lilia Castillo-Martínez, Arturo Orea-Tejeda, Oscar Vázquez-Díaz, Adrián Valdespino-Trejo, René Narváez-David, Candace Keirns-Davis, Olín Carrasco-Ortiz, Adolfo Navarro-Navarro, Rocío Sánchez-SantillánEffect of L-arginine or L-citrulline oral supplementation on blood pressure and right ventricular function in heart failure patients with preserved ejection fractionCardiol J.(2010)
    31. Muscle Soreness - da Silva DK, Jacinto JL, de Andrade WB, Roveratti MC, Estoche JM, Balvedi MCW, de Oliveira DB, da Silva RA, Aguiar AFCitrulline Malate Does Not Improve Muscle Recovery after Resistance Exercise in Untrained Young Adult MenNutrients.(2017 Oct 18)
    32. Blood Flow - Kim van Wijck, Karolina A P Wijnands, Dennis M Meesters, Bas Boonen, Luc J C van Loon, Wim A Buurman, Cornelis H C Dejong, Kaatje Lenaerts, Martijn PoezeL-citrulline improves splanchnic perfusion and reduces gut injury during exerciseMed Sci Sports Exerc.(2014 Nov)
    33. Heart Rate Variability - Casonatto J, et alCitrulline malate supplementation might potentiate post-exercise hypotension in hypertensives: A 24-hour analysisSci Sport.()
    34. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) - Ochiai M, Hayashi T, Morita M, Ina K, Maeda M, Watanabe F, Morishita KShort-term effects of L-citrulline supplementation on arterial stiffness in middle-aged menInt J Cardiol.(2012 Mar 8)
    35. Blood Pressure - Juliano Casonatto, Daniel Massaharu Enokida, Kamila GrandolfiInter-Individual Responses to Citrulline Malate Oral Supplementation on Post-Exercise Hypotension in Hypertensives: A 24-Hour AnalysisArq Bras Cardiol.(2019 Jul 10)
    36. Blood Pressure - Qiu J, et all-citrulline supplementation reduced peripheral blood pressure in Chinese adults with prehypertensionJ Hypertens.()
    37. Blood Pressure - Domingues V, Cavalari JV, Grandolfi K, Aguiar AF, Borghi SM, Casonatto JAcute Effects of Citrulline Malate Supplementation on Nocturnal Blood Pressure Dipping After Exercise in Hypertensive Patients: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial.J Diet Suppl.(2024)
    38. Asthma Symptoms - Fernando Holguin, Hartmut Grasemann, Sunita Sharma, Daniel Winnica, Karen Wasil, Vong Smith, Margaret H Cruse, Nancy Perez, Erika Coleman, Timothy J Scialla, Loretta G QueL-Citrulline increases nitric oxide and improves control in obese asthmaticsJCI Insight.(2019 Dec 19)
    39. Heart Rate Variability - Alexei Wong, Oksana Chernykh, Arturo FigueroaChronic l-citrulline supplementation improves cardiac sympathovagal balance in obese postmenopausal women: A preliminary reportAuton Neurosci.(2016 Jul)
    40. Liver Fibrosis - Zahra Darabi, Mina Darand, Zahra Yari, Mehdi Hedayati, Amirhosein Faghihi, Shahram Agah, Azita HekmatdoostInflammatory markers response to citrulline supplementation in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trialBMC Res Notes.(2019 Feb 15)
    41. Blood Pressure - Babak Sharif Kashani, Paritash Tahmaseb Pour, Majid Malekmohammad, Neda Behzadnia, Faezeh Sheybani-Afshar, Mohammad Fakhri, Samira Chaibakhsh, Farah Naghashzadeh, Salavan AidenlouOral l-citrulline malate in patients with idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension and Eisenmenger Syndrome: a clinical trialJ Cardiol.(2014 Sep)
    42. Growth Hormone - Sureda A, Córdova A, Ferrer MD, Pérez G, Tur JA, Pons AL-citrulline-malate influence over branched chain amino acid utilization during exerciseEur J Appl Physiol.(2010 Sep)
    43. Growth Hormone - C Moinard, I Nicolis, N Neveux, S Darquy, S Bénazeth, L CynoberDose-ranging effects of citrulline administration on plasma amino acids and hormonal patterns in healthy subjects: the Citrudose pharmacokinetic studyBr J Nutr.(2008 Apr)
    44. Insulin - Thibault R, Flet L, Vavasseur F, Lemerle M, Ferchaud-Roucher V, Picot D, Darmaun DOral citrulline does not affect whole body protein metabolism in healthy human volunteers: results of a prospective, randomized, double-blind, cross-over studyClin Nutr.(2011 Dec)
    45. Erections - Luigi Cormio, Mario De Siati, Fabrizio Lorusso, Oscar Selvaggio, Lucia Mirabella, Francesca Sanguedolce, Giuseppe CarrieriOral L-citrulline supplementation improves erection hardness in men with mild erectile dysfunctionUrology.(2011 Jan)
    46. Blood Pressure - Heidi A B Smith, Jeffrey A Canter, Karla G Christian, Davis C Drinkwater, Frank G Scholl, Brian W Christman, Geraldine D Rice, Frederick E Barr, Marshall L SummarNitric oxide precursors and congenital heart surgery: a randomized controlled trial of oral citrullineJ Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.(2006 Jul)