Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid used extensively in the body, notably as an intermediate in both the urea cycle and the nitric oxide cycle. Arginine has been supplemented principally for its ability to upregulate nitric oxide and the ensuing implications on blood flow, cardiovascular health and sports performance.

Perhaps arginine’s most important clinical application relates to cardiovascular disease. Research has shown that long-term supplementation with arginine can improve body composition and insulin sensitivity in people with glucose intolerance. In individuals with intermittent claudication, arginine supplementation has been able to increase blood flow, increase nitric oxide production and improve pain-free walking distance. Enhanced endothelial function has also been seen in type 2 diabetics with short-term supplementation of arginine.

Increased nitric oxide production may also have application for athletic performance. Specifically, arginine supplementation allows for more efficient oxygen utilization and increases time to exhaustion in healthy men while exercising. Some evidence also suggests that arginine supplementation can acutely increase growth hormone levels in healthy males.

Cyto Arginine is a part of the Cyto-Matrix powder series, providing 2.5 grams of L-arginine per scoop. Individual amino acids in a powder delivery allow for personalization, dose-specificity and quick-acting results with your patients.