Arginine

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that plays a role in cell division, wound healing, the elimination of ammonia by the body, proper functioning of the immune system and the secretion of certain hormones, notably growth hormone. Using arginine, the body can manufacture nitric oxide (a vaso-dilator) and creatine (non-essential nutrient associated w/ muscle development and functioning)

=Properties= -Promotes protein synthesis and cell replication -Precursor of nitric oxide, which promotes blood vessel dilation and helps with erectile function, angina, intermittent claudication and congestive heart failure -Stimulating effect on the thymus -Increases sperm count amount by more than 100% -Promotes the secretion of growth hormone (with Ornithine) -Stimulates immune properties -Lowers cholesterol levels (better than methionine, taurine or glycine)

=Complements= Orotic Acid for the synthesis of pyrimidines, which are components of DNA

=Antagonists= Lysine

=Precursor of:= -Creatine -Nitric Oxide (or Nitrogen Oxide) -Citrulline -Ornithine

=Deficiency= -Poor wound healing -Hair Loss -Skin Breakouts -Constipation -Fatty Liver

Deficiency is relatively rare however.

=Therapeutic Indications= -Increase of muscle mass during muscle training for those w/ a growth hormone deficiency -Fatty Liver -Erectile Dysfunction -Angina -Intermittent Claudication -Congestive Heart Failure -Interstitial Cystitis -Male Infertility -Hypercholesterolemia -Wound Healing

=Contraindications= -Previous history of heart attack -Allergies or asthma Cirrhosis of the liver -Herpes -Renal Insufficiency -Sickle-cell Anemia (hereditary form of hemolytic anemia) -Kidney or Liver dis-eases

=Side Effects= None Known

=Food Sources= -Meat, Nuts, Fish, Eggs, Milk, Cheese and Legumes, such as tofu. Rice and oats are also good sources.

=Therapeutic Dose= 500-6000mg./day in divided doses

=
====================================================== //Medical Nutrition:// • Made from: Glutamic A. made into Ornithine and then Arginine. • -Arginine is broken down quickly to urea and Ornithine. • -It is used for body repair, and can be used up quickly. • -Its primary function is urea –nitrogenous wastesdetoxification in the liver. • -It also functions to maintain weight with acute trauma • -Immunity - inc. Nk activity and TH1 lymphs • -Survival with trauma is improved in animals given arginine. • -It is used for energy metabolism in the muscles. • -It protects the liver from toxins like CCL4, alcohol, and galactosamine • -Precursor for Nitric Oxide (NO) • - controls CV arterial relaxation, BP, and inflammatory response, induces apoptosis in cancer, • -Viagra increases NO in the genitalia, increasing erections • - enhanced NO can cause damage to the brain =Alzheimer’s • RDA-? We can make it some – semi-essential Avg. intake 5gm/d • Highest in turkey/ meat/ fish, (nuts, chocolate, seeds, soy – much higher in Arginine than lysine)

TX (Therapeutics)
• HIV • Angina • CHF • HBP – salt sensitive, reduces artery pressure and O2 use with exercise • Intermittent claudication • Pre-eclampsia • Growth hormone (NO) secretion • Athletic performance- inc. arg and orn – 1gm/wk inc. strength and lean M. mass – works better in males • Burn recovery/ trauma • Cancer recovery? (Immunity and tissue healing ) Use with caution ? -some cancers like it.- 30 mg • ASD – increases NO – use with VitE! • DM – reduces IRS • GI gastritis /ulcers • Erectile dysfunction • Infertility – men and women – increases sperm count and motility –4 gm • Interstitial cystitis • Periop-nutrition • Preterm delivery • Senile dementia • SE – Safe, careful renal disease and herpes infections if lysine intake is low. • Inc NO can inc. histamine response- asthma? • Inc IGF1 (P512 AMRDec2002) • Topical for increased circulation –Viacreme • Use with Vitamin E!