Grade | pharmaceutical |
Purity | 99.9%+ purity (HPLC) |
Taste | powder is bitter and bad tasting |
Solubility | water soluble |
Characteristics | Hypoallergenic. |
Appearance | white crystalline powder |
Odor | n/a |
pH | ≈1.8 |
Classification | (Amino Acid): sports & muscle building, blood & nutrient delivery, Nitric Oxide, Growth Hormone, sexual enhancement. |
CAS Registry | 74-79-3 |
Synonyms |
L-Arginine Base. 2-Amino-5-guanidinovaleric acid, 2-Amino-5-guanidinopentanoic acid |
Molecular Formula | C6H14N4O2 |
Molecular structure | |
Manufactured from | pure L-Arginine, plant based |
L-Arginine is one of 20 amino acids, the building blocks of protein. Arginine can serve as a source of energy, and is involved in various pathways throughout the body. Arginine supports the effect of exercise and is one of the most important amino acids involved in immune function.L-Arginine is considered a semi-essential amino acid, because although it is normally synthesized in sufficient amounts by the body, supplementation is sometimes required. Arginine supports protein synthesis as it is involved in the transport and storage of nitrogen and is important for proper physical performance because it is used by the body to produce creatine.
L-Arginine is required for the synthesis of nitric oxide, a secondary messenger involved in blood flow. Nitric oxide is a compound that helps keep blood vessels dilated to promote healthy blood flow. Arginine also stimulates protein synthesis and has been studied for wound healing, bodybuilding, enhancement of sperm production (spermatogenesis), and prevention of wasting in people with critical illness. L-Arginine is beneficial for overall cardiovascular maintenance and sexual function as well as other areas that depend largely on healthy circulatory status.
L-Arginine was first isolated in 1886. In 1932, L-Arginine was found to be required for the generation of urea, which is necessary for the removal of toxic ammonia from the body. In 1939, L-Arginine was also shown to be required for the synthesis of creatine. Creatine degrades to creatinine at a constant rate, and is cleared from the body by the kidney. Arginine is also a precursor of guanido-phosphate, phosphor-arginine and creatine, the high-energy compounds found in muscles. L-Arginine has been used extensively by bodybuilders to increase blood flow to muscle tissue and to enhance creatine storage in the body although recently Arginine Alpha-ketoglutarate has become more popular. Arginine is also an important factor in muscle metabolism and works to transport, store and excrete nitrogen. Free form L-Arginine has a bitter and pretty bad taste in a pure powder form.
Arginine stimulates the natural release of growth hormone and is a far safer and more cost effective alternative to growth hormone treatment such as HGH injections. Growth hormone is one of the most powerful hormones in the human body which promotes the growth of lean muscle tissue and the loss of fat. As you age, growth hormone levels drop, which is one reason you lose muscle and gain fat. In a controlled trial, when arginine and other amino acids were combined with weight training, a greater decrease in body fat was obtained after only five weeks than when the same exercise was combined with a placebo. Arginine is also needed to increase protein synthesis, which can in turn increase muscle growth. [1,2].
L-Arginine taken on an empty stomach can cause a significant release of growth hormone in many people. A dosage of between 10 and 30 grams of L-Arginine, depending upon factors such as age and body weight, is needed to have any impact on GH release. Taking arginine in capsule form is not recommended because it would take upwards of 20 capsules per serving to have a substantial impact on GH, which is why powder is the recommended delivery method. Growth hormone releasers should not be used by children until five years after they have completed their long bone growth (unless under careful medical supervision). The effectiveness of arginine for growth hormone release is age-dependent. A person in their twenties can get a very high release of growth hormone whereas a person in their fifties would get a lower response.
Athletes involved in intense exercise on a regular basis need Growth Hormone (GH) to increase energy, enhance lean body mass and to maintain strong bones and keep their weight under control. Availability of GH in systemic circulation also helps increase strength, burn fat, enhance libido, boost immunity and support tendons and ligaments. By inducing the secretion of GH from the pituitary, arginine and lysine stimulate muscle metabolism and, hence, provide nutritional support for the athlete.
The combination of Arginine Pyroglutamate with L-lysine is one of the first natural GH releasers proven by scientific research to work. L-Arginine L-Pyroglutamate was the focus of world-wide attention in 1981 when Italian researcher A. Isidori, M.D., and his colleagues of the University of Rome determined that a combination of L-Lysine and L-Arginine L-Pyroglutamate when given orally to a group of 15 male volunteers between the ages of 15 and 20 was more than 10 times more effective at increasing blood levels of human growth hormone than taking only the amino acid L-Arginine by itself (yielding a average net GH increase of more than 700%). According to these researchers, "we could demonstrate that the association of the two amino acids does result in the release of biologically active GH able to affect peripheral cellular receptors and thus cell growth in general."[3].
As a dietary supplement take 1 serving (1500 mg) of powder with water or your favorite beverage, 1-2 times daily or as directed by your physician. For maximum benefit, take up to 3 grams (3000mg) per day. When using powder mix for 15 to 20 seconds using a shaker cup or mix thoroughly with a spoon. May not mix very easily. May be hygroscopic and may clump during storage. This does not effect the efficacy of the product, but just the texture. Can be mixed with your creatine supplements for enhanced results.
The effectiveness of arginine in releasing growth hormone is greatly diminished if foods have been consumed that cause other amino acids or significant amounts of insulin to be present in the bloodstream along with the arginine. That is why arginine should be taken on an empty stomach at least one hour before or two hours after a meal. For the purpose of increasing growth hormone, Arginine supplements are best taken before bedtime to maximize its beneficial effects and to allow GH secretion to synchronize with the body's own rhythm of GH production.
Contains no yeast, dairy, egg, gluten, corn, soy, wheat, shellfish, sugar, starch, salt, preservatives, or artificial color, flavor or fragrance.
NOT INTENDED FOR USE BY PERSONS UNDER THE AGE OF 18. KEEP OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN. Women who are pregnant, breast feeding or lactating, diabetics, hypoglycemics, and people with known medical conditions and/or taking drugs should consult with a licensed physician and/or pharmacist prior to taking dietary supplements. Read all label warning before taking creatine or any nutritional supplement. Drink at least 16-32 ounces of additional water per day when using this or any type of creatine.