Surely you have heard of this supplement, but you may not be entirely sure what L-Arginine is for, or what effects it has on your body.
Well, let’s go by parts. L-Arginine has come to the fore thanks to its benefits on the heart (an important factor since in America, more than 86 million people have a heart problem).
L-Arginine deficiency is not very common since it is found in a multitude of foods such as red meat, fish, chicken, grains, nuts, seeds, and dairy.
But let’s see what exactly L-Arginine does . This substance is involved in various functions of our body, including:
- Accelerates wound healing.
- Aids in the elimination of waste materials via the kidneys.
- Improves the immune system.
- And it dilates and relaxes the arteries.
And what advantages does it offer for the heart?
This amino acid, when it enters our body, is transformed into nitric oxide, a great neurotransmitter that helps the veins to relax.
By improving circulation, problems such as clogged arteries, chest pain, and even angina pectoris are avoided.
L-Arginine and exercise
L-Arginine can be used as a sports supplement since, although not directly, it can help in that area. By taking L-Arginine as a supplement, you can reduce the risk of injury (thanks to boosting the immune system). In addition, it contributes to the recovery process after very intense training, “cleaning” the muscle tissues of products produced after such an exercise (such as ammonia).
Where do I find L-Arginine?
As I said before, L-Arginine is present in seafood (shellfish, lobster, shrimp, tuna, etc.), in sunflower and pumpkin seeds, soybeans, and even in spinach or watercress. On the other hand, we can also find this amino acid in beef, lamb, veal and poultry.
Let’s see a table that shows the foods richest in this component.
How much L-Arginine do I need to take?
The truth is that there is no exact amount recommended since the body supposedly generates enough. But in the event that this supplementation is needed, it has been shown that 1200 mg of this amino acid can be beneficial. Still, and as I always say, ask your doctor if you are going to start taking L-Arginine.
