Protecting the Heart | The L-Arginine – Nitric Oxide Connection

Protecting the Heart | The L-Arginine – Nitric Oxide Connection

L-arginine (ARG) is key to heart health and helps us heal from major stress or trauma. It’s a necessity for pregnant women and infants, especially during growth spurts, and can boost athletic performance and strength.

In our bodies, this semi-essential amino acid is used in a wide variety of metabolic pathways, making compounds our bodies need, like nitric oxide.

In this article, we look at the L-arginine – nitric oxide connection and its significance in cardiovascular protection. Read on to learn more.

Why Maintaining Normal Blood Pressure is Critical

As an amino acid, L-arginine helps the body build protein we need to build muscle and rebuild tissues. It’s pivotal to heart health because it turns into nitric oxide (NO), a molecule responsible for relaxing and widening our blood vessels. NO increases blood flow, helping us maintain blood pressures in healthy normal ranges.

We may take our blood pressure for granted. We need healthy blood flow to circulate oxygen and nutrients throughout the body. We also need it to distribute hormones, which control nearly all the body’s processes, and white blood cells, to fight infection.

But we don’t want  the pressure of flowing blood to put undue stress on our vascular system. Keeping our blood pressure in the normal range is important because researchers find that high blood pressure damages the body quickly and leads to a myriad of health complications.

That’s why vasodilator nitric oxide is crucial for heart health. We need it to relax the muscles lining our blood vessels, keep them elastic and smooth, and keep our blood flowing normally.

High blood pressure can damage the body quickly

L-Arginine's Essential Roles in the Body

In addition to helping keep our blood flowing normally, L-arginine is necessary for our bodies to make T-cells, white blood cells essential for immune response. It also contributes to hormone regulation, detoxification, protein synthesis, and male fertility. The list goes on.

As mentioned above, studies show that an increase in L-arginine can improve both aerobic and anerobic athletic performance. It may also improve male sexual function because it improves blood flow.

When to Boost L-Arginine Consumption

Because our bodies make enough L-arginine from other amino acids most of the time, it’s classified as a semi-essential amino acid. Yet, we need more in our diets from time to time. Pregnant women, and infants need more, especially during growth spurts. L-arginine is considered an essential amino acid for them.

Some illnesses, trauma, and disorders can cause L-arginine deficiency. We don’t make more to compensate for the deficiency, so we need to add it.

Doctors may recommend more L-arginine when we’re recovering from surgery, healing from a severe burn, or critically ill. Likewise, when we’re struggling with an infection, sepsis, protein malnutrition, excessive ammonia production, or urea synthesis disorders, we benefit from more l-arginine.

If you are at risk for high blood pressure (family history, poor diet, stress, don’t exercise, or use alcohol/tobacco), it’s worth discussing L-arginine with your doctor.

Natural sources of l-arginine

Natural Sources of L-Arginine

We get L-arginine in our diets from red meat, fish, dairy, and eggs as well as plant sources including soybeans, chickpeas, lentils, oats, nuts, and pumpkin seeds. (We can also boost nitric oxide levels by eating more nitrates like green leafy vegetables.)

Additionally, our Sustained-Release L-Arginine provides a slow, steady release of the amino acid, thanks to our proprietary controlled-release technology.

Please talk to your health care provider before adding L-arginine to your daily regimen. While safe, it’s not recommended for everyone. L-arginine can interact with some medications, herbs, and supplements. It can also exacerbate some conditions.

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L-Arginine 350mg Sustained Release

L-Arginine 350mg Sustained Release

Sustained Release

From $36.99

An amino acid that may help maintain healthy blood vessel function, optimal blood flow, endothelial health, and blood pressure in the normal range. 

At-a-Glance

  • Helps maintain healthy blood pressure in the normal range*
  • Supports cardiovascular health and blood vessel function*
  • Promotes healthy nitric oxide production*
  • Features sustained-release delivery for optimal absorption

Product Description

L-Arginine Sustained Release (SR) is an advanced dietary supplement designed for adults interested in overall cardiovascular health, including maintaining healthy blood pressure in the normal range.* 

L-Arginine SR features the amino acid L-Arginine in a unique vegetable-based wax matrix that releases L-Arginine gradually. An optimal blood level of L-Arginine is critical for vascular health. Your endothelium – the layer of cells that line your blood vessels – relies on this amino acid for a healthy production of nitric oxide. In turn, nitric oxide plays a key role in vascular health, including promoting blood vessel relaxation and optimal blood flow.*

L-Arginine SR and its ability to support blood vessel health is ideally suited for athletes, active adults and others interested in maintaining healthy blood vessel function. Adults interested in overall health can benefit from L-Arginine SR as well. L-Arginine – one of the body’s most metabolically versatile amino acids – also plays a role in immune health, detoxification, protein synthesis, hormone regulation, male fertility, and more.*

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Features

  • No salt, starch, preservatives, artificial color or flavorings
  • Free of common allergens (milk, egg, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat and soy)
  • Convenient, easy-to-swallow tablets

Frequently Asked Questions

What can you expect?

L-Arginine SR is a unique dietary supplement specially formulated for adults to support vascular health, including healthy blood vessel function.*

How does it work?

Each tablet dissolves slowly for a steady release of L-Arginine over 4 to 6 hours. This promotes optimal absorption and tissue retention without an excessive amount of Arginine typically found in regular immediate-release forms.*

How do you take it?

As a dietary supplement for adults, take three (3) tablets twice daily, preferably with meals, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. It is normal for this product to have a distinctive botanical aroma.

Are there any precautions?

Consult your healthcare professional prior to use if you have or suspect a medical condition, are taking any medications, or are nursing or pregnant. As with all dietary supplements, keep out of reach of children.

What product quality control tests are performed?

L-Arginine SR is manufactured in the United States (Oregon) in a state-of-the-art, FDA-registered facility that meets or exceeds current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP). Quality control tests are performed at every stage of the manufacturing process from rigorous raw material testing to finished product testing.

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