Some use it to treatpostpartum hypertensionand erectile dysfunction, as well as to improve fertility and sleep.
L-arginine also affects the release ofgrowth hormones,insulin, and other substances in your body.
That means some supplement products may not contain what the label says.
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No supplement is intended to treat, cure, or prevent disease.
As with many natural products, L-arginine is used for various purposes.
Several studies have assessed L-arginine for the following potential uses.
For example, there were different L-arginine dosage forms among studies.
And there were differences in the L-arginine dosages (amounts or strengths) and the length of therapy.
According to research, L-arginine might improve blood flow in select groups of people.
Postpartum Hypertension
Postpartum hypertensionishigh blood pressureafter giving birth.
Further high-quality clinical trials with additional data are still needed.
A review also suggested that people with ED might benefit from L-arginine alone or in combination with other medications.
But additional research with larger and higher-quality studies is still warranted.
While this looks promising, the results are from studies considered to be of low quality.
Research supporting this is limited.
This may ultimately mean that L-arginine supplementation could help prevent diseases resulting from REM sleep deprivation.
Supplement Facts
What Are the Side Effects of L-Arginine?
As with many supplements and natural products, side effects are possible with L-arginine.
Dosage: How Much L-Arginine Should I Take?
While there are some human studies on L-arginine, high-quality clinical trials are still necessary.
For this reason, there are no guidelines on the appropriate dosage to take L-arginine for any condition.
If you take L-arginine, follow your healthcare provider’s suggestions and product label instructions.
What Happens if I Take Too Much L-Arginine?
There is little information about L-arginine toxicity and overdoses in humans.
But generally, L-arginine seems safe with short-term use of up to 20 grams (g) daily.
Store them in a cool and dry place.
Discard after one year or as indicated on the packaging.
For these reasons, nitric oxide is likely the most similar natural medication to L-arginine.
Food Sources of L-Arginine
L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that’s found in food.
What works for you will depend on your preference and the effects you hope to achieve.
Each product may work a bit differently, depending on the form.
Thus, following your healthcare provider’s recommendations or label directions is essential.
Summary
L-arginine is a naturally occurring amino acid that’s found in food.
In general, short-term use of L-arginine seems safe.
But as with many medications and natural products, side effects and medication interactions are still possible.
High-quality, long-term clinical trials are still necessary to evaluate L-arginine’s effectiveness and safety.
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