Amino Acids are the chemical units, or ‘building blocks’ of the body that make up proteins. Protein substances make up our muscles, tendons, organs, glands, nails, and hair. Growth, repair and maintenance of all cells are dependent upon them. Next to water, protein makes up the greatest portion of our body weight. Amino Acids that must be obtained from our diet are called Essential Amino Acids; other Amino Acids that the body can manufacture from other sources are called Non-Essential Amino Acids. Arginine is considered a semi-essential amino acid because even though the body normally makes enough of it, supplementation is sometimes needed.
In the human body Nitric Oxide is produced by a variety of cells and is involved in many physiological and pathophysiological processes¹. L-Arginine generates Nitric Oxide via a process called ‘Enzyme Nitric Oxide Synthase’, therefore taking L-Arginine as a supplement to raise Nitric Oxide levels can be beneficial in many areas:
Erectile Dysfunction
Studies in both male and female genital tissues have indicated that the Nitric Oxide pathway² is important in regulating blood flow during sexual arousal. L-Arginine is critical for the generation of Nitric Oxide by the process ‘Enzyme Nitric Oxide Synthase’.
The Penis has two chambers called the ‘Corpora Cavernosa’ which run the entire length of the organ and contain a maze of blood vessels shaped like cavernous spaces, (like a sponge). When a male becomes sexually aroused Nitric Oxide is released, the Nitric Oxide creates vasodilatation (widening of blood vessels) in the Corpora Cavernosa, blood then travels through the cavernous arteries into the blood vessels, filling them up. The blood then gets trapped under high pressure creating an erection.
In cases of erectile dysfunction, the muscles surrounding the artery are unable to relax, and blood cannot travel freely through the cavernous arteries into the blood vessels. As the blood cannot fill the blood vessels an erection is not sustainable.
By supplementing your intake of L-Arginine, you can help increase the amount of Nitric Oxide that your body is able to produce, which has been shown to assist treatment of classic erectile dysfunction.
Arthritis
L-Arginine is a component of Collagen, which is found in high concentrations in the body’s connective tissues. Collagen is vital to the production of new tissue and bone cells⁷, therefore taking a supplementation on L-Arginine may benefit people suffering from Arthritis.
Cardiovascular Health
By increasing your L-Arginine intake cardiovascular health may be improved as many cardiovascular diseases are related to the narrowing of blood vessels, the rapid growth of new tissue, and inflammation. Part of the reason these diseases occur is due to the break down of Nitric Oxide. Increased concentrations of L-Arginine may improve vascular disease states by maintaining Nitric Oxide levels.⁸⁻¹⁰
¹Wang R, et al. Human dermal fibroblasts produce nitric oxide and express both constitutive and inducible nitric oxide synthase isoforms. J Invest Dermatol. 1996; 106:419-427.
²Feldman, H., Goldstein, I., Hatzichristou, D., Krane, R. & McKinlay, J. (1994) Impotence and it’s medical and psychosocial correlates: results of the Massachusetts male aging study. J. Urol. 151:54-61.
³Lue, T.F. & Tanagho, E.A. (1987) Physiology of erection and pharmacological management of impotence. J. Urol. 137:829-836.
⁴Krane, R.J., Goldstein, I. & Saenz de Tejada, I. (1989) Impotence. N. Engl. J. Med. 321:1648-1659.
⁵Saenz de Tejada, I., Moroukian, P., Tessier, J., Kim, J. J., Goldstein, I. & Frohrib, D. (1991) Trabecular smooth muscle modulates the capacitor function of the penis. Studies on a rabbit model. Am. J. Physiol. 260:H1590-H1595.
⁶Andersson, K-E. & Wagner, G. (1995) Physiology of penile erection. Physiol. Rev. 75:191-236.
⁷Balch, M.D., M.P.H., Kenneth H., Advanced Nutritional Therapies (Nashville: 1996, Thomas Nelson, Inc. Publishers), pages 87-88, 93, 94.
⁸Drexler H. Endothelial dysfunction: clinical implications. Prog Cardiovasc Dis. 1997:39:287-324
⁹Giugliano D. Dietary antioxidants for cardiovascular prevention. Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2000; 10:38-44
¹⁰Sanders D, et al. The role of nitric oxide synthase / nitric oxide in vascular smooth muscle control. Perfusion. 2000; 15:97-104.
