Arginine: hair, erections, sleep and more
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Arginine is a semi-essential, or conditionally essential, amino acid in humans that has been widely studied over the years.
In humans, it has been shown to be effective in its laevorotatory (L) form. The requirement for L-arginine varies with age; in particular, in young people and children the body finds it harder to synthesise arginine than in adults.
Beneficial Effects
Arginine has many beneficial effects, and hundreds of scientific studies have sought to demonstrate them. In particular, they can be summarised as follows:
Arginine , Growth Hormone and Physical Activity
It is worth taking a brief look at L-arginine intake in relation to growth hormone.
A study by the Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA states that taking arginine at rest increases growth hormone (GH) levels by 100%, while physical activity promotes an increase in growth hormone of up to 200/500%.
However, the study also says that taking arginine and exercising does not further stimulate GH levels, as one might think, but actually blunts the rise compared with exercise alone, increasing them by 200%.
Arginine and Erections
One of the most frequent questions, and one that also causes some embarrassment, concerns the possible link between the use of arginine and erections of the male organ, given that arginine stimulates nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator.
A recent publication [J Sex Med. 2019] stated that across 10 randomised studies involving 540 patients with erectile dysfunction, a significant improvement was found with a dosage of between 1500 and 5000 mg. The improvement concerned not only erection but also orgasm, while there were no changes in sexual desire.
Arginine and Hair
Another debated topic is arginine and hair. One study in particular [J Cosmet Sci. 2005] set out to measure the protective effects of arginine in connection with hair colouring. This study hypothesises that the use of arginine prevents the unwanted attack of hydrogen peroxide on the proteins and lipids of the hair surface. It was also found that a considerable amount of arginine from the colouring agent is deposited on the hair fibres.
Arginine and Sleep
There appears to be a link between arginine and sleep. This is because arginine increases the production of nitric oxide, which seems to play an important role in regulating sleep.
In one particular study on rats [Life Sci. 2004], a significant increase in hours of slow-wave sleep and a reduction in wakefulness were observed.
Arginine in Food
Arginine is found in proteins of both animal and plant origin, such as meat, dairy products, poultry, fish, nuts, soy, etc.
Arginine and Supplements
The arginine in supplements should be taken in its laevorotatory form (L-arginine). In supplements, L-arginine is recommended at dosages of 2/4 grams a day.
Side Effects
There are no evident contraindications or side effects linked to the use of arginine.
There are various debates about the effectiveness of this supplement, in particular on blood pressure and on the different effects in men and women.
Want to try L-arginine?
Discover Argin®, a supplement based on pure pharmaceutical-grade L-arginine.
In humans, it has been shown to be effective in its laevorotatory (L) form. The requirement for L-arginine varies with age; in particular, in young people and children the body finds it harder to synthesise arginine than in adults.
Beneficial Effects
Arginine has many beneficial effects, and hundreds of scientific studies have sought to demonstrate them. In particular, they can be summarised as follows:
- it helps eliminate ammonia and nitrogenous waste;
- it increases nitric oxide production;
- it helps combat muscle fatigue;
- it stimulates the immune system;
- it helps relax blood vessels and prevent various kinds of cardiovascular problems;
- it stimulates the production of creatine, L-proline and L-glutamate;
- in large doses it stimulates growth hormone and prolactin;
- it stimulates the oxidation of fatty acids in skeletal muscle and the uptake of glucose by muscle.
Arginine , Growth Hormone and Physical Activity
It is worth taking a brief look at L-arginine intake in relation to growth hormone.
A study by the Department of Exercise Science, Syracuse University, Syracuse, New York, USA states that taking arginine at rest increases growth hormone (GH) levels by 100%, while physical activity promotes an increase in growth hormone of up to 200/500%.
However, the study also says that taking arginine and exercising does not further stimulate GH levels, as one might think, but actually blunts the rise compared with exercise alone, increasing them by 200%.
Arginine and Erections
One of the most frequent questions, and one that also causes some embarrassment, concerns the possible link between the use of arginine and erections of the male organ, given that arginine stimulates nitric oxide, a powerful vasodilator.
A recent publication [J Sex Med. 2019] stated that across 10 randomised studies involving 540 patients with erectile dysfunction, a significant improvement was found with a dosage of between 1500 and 5000 mg. The improvement concerned not only erection but also orgasm, while there were no changes in sexual desire.
Arginine and Hair
Another debated topic is arginine and hair. One study in particular [J Cosmet Sci. 2005] set out to measure the protective effects of arginine in connection with hair colouring. This study hypothesises that the use of arginine prevents the unwanted attack of hydrogen peroxide on the proteins and lipids of the hair surface. It was also found that a considerable amount of arginine from the colouring agent is deposited on the hair fibres.
Arginine and Sleep
There appears to be a link between arginine and sleep. This is because arginine increases the production of nitric oxide, which seems to play an important role in regulating sleep.
In one particular study on rats [Life Sci. 2004], a significant increase in hours of slow-wave sleep and a reduction in wakefulness were observed.
Arginine in Food
Arginine is found in proteins of both animal and plant origin, such as meat, dairy products, poultry, fish, nuts, soy, etc.
Arginine and Supplements
The arginine in supplements should be taken in its laevorotatory form (L-arginine). In supplements, L-arginine is recommended at dosages of 2/4 grams a day.
Side Effects
There are no evident contraindications or side effects linked to the use of arginine.
There are various debates about the effectiveness of this supplement, in particular on blood pressure and on the different effects in men and women.
Want to try L-arginine?
Discover Argin®, a supplement based on pure pharmaceutical-grade L-arginine.
Ref. //pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/ArginineCurr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2007 Jan;10(1):46-51.Eur J Clin Invest. 2005 Jan;35(1):32-7.Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2008 Jan;11(1):50-4.J Sex Med. 2019 Feb;16(2):223-234. doi: 10.1016/j.jsxm.2018.12.002.J Cosmet Sci. 2004;55 Suppl:S155-70.Life Sci. 2004 Sep 10;75(17):2027-34.
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