L-arginine is a kind of amino acid which some foods contain and is also available in supplement form. This is very common among nuts, soybeans and spinach. This amino acid has many important functions like in treating several illnesses which include wound healing and helping remove toxic ammonia from the body. In addition to this, L-arginine is beneficial too for people suffering from hardened arteries known as atherosclerosis. However, be sure to consult your doctor before taking L-arginine supplements especially if you are suffering from cardiovascular disease. Also, it pays to know the truth about L-arginine for cleaning arteries.
Importance of L-Arginine
The importance of arginine is that it relaxes smooth muscle cells in the artery walls and at the same time widens blood vessels. This process is called vasolidation. Once the arteries harden, they can never be flexible which then prevents the proper flow of both blood and nutrient to the heart and other organs of the body. When the arteries clog from plaque, this will block the blood flow to the heart and this can lead to a heart attack or stroke and even death. Taking L-arginine supplements can improve elasticity of the arteries.
L-Arginine to Increase Blood Flow
Based on the study of the researchers at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Australia, L-arginine increases blood flow thus helping patients who suffer from atherosclerosis. Also, many of the functions of L-arginine is due to its ability to increase the production of nitric oxide in the body, states the Jewish Hospital. Nitric oxide is a gas molecule which is released from the smooth muscle tissue of the blood vessels.
L-arginine is the one responsible in synthesizing the nitric oxide. The nitric oxide may then improve the function of the blood vessel and increase blood flow through dilating blood vessels. This way, it can help patients with atherosclerosis. L-arginine was known to improve exercise tolerance among patients with stable coronary artery disease. This is according to a study which is published in the “International Journal of Cardiology,” September 2000.
The Risks of L-arginine for Cleaning Arteries
Peripheral artery disease known as PAD is the narrowing of arteries of the pelvis and legs. As L-arginine is known for its effect in reducing atherosclerosis, this motivates the researchers of the Stanford University School of Medicine in California to find out the effects of arginine to PAD. After the study, they found out that L-arginine is not of any help in improving the availability of nitric oxide for the peripheral arteries. Participants of the said study who takes arginine supplements had affect the distance at which patients could no longer walk because of pain than those patients in the placebo group.
Side Effects of L-arginine
Taking L-arginine supplements can also cause some side effects like stomach upset, diarrhea and nausea, says Mayo Clinic. Studies that were conducted have mixed results that some show positive effects of L-arginine on blood vessels but others say that there are no differences and some even say that L-arginine even worsen the artery problems. It is necessary then to consult your physician before deciding to take this supplement.
Oral supplements may create symptoms like stomach upset, frequent bowel movements and nausea. L-arginine injections can cause severe allergic reactions. If you have liver or kidney disease, you should only take L-arginine under the supervision of your physician. When you have taken all these in mind, then you can see the real effects of L-arginine for cleaning arteries.