L-Arginine
Benefits of L-Arginine
- Amino acids
- Protein
- Form: Extract
- Food source: Protein-rich foods, including soybeans, peanuts, spirulina, chickpeas and lentils.
What is L-Arginine?
Arginine is a type of amino acid. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein. Protein that is digested from the foods we eat gets broken down into amino acids and absorbed into the body. Amino acids can be classified as non-essential, essential and semi-essential.
Arginine is classed as a semi-essential amino acid. This means it isn't essential under normal circumstances, because the body makes enough, but it can become essential in particular situations. For example, it is typically 'essential' during children's growth. The body can make enough arginine to meet basic metabolic demands, but in times of physical stress or rapid growth, such as the newborn period, demand for arginine goes up and its availability can become limited.
Arginine is the starting point for nitric oxide, a molecule that signals the walls of our blood vessels to relax and widen. Arginine is also part of the urea cycle, the process the body uses to clear the nitrogen left over from breaking down protein.
What does the research say about L-Arginine?
Arginine has been studied in relation to the immune system, including in preterm newborns.
Arginine and L-Arginine have been researched in men's health. A prospective study looked at a combination of antioxidants, including zinc and vitamins C and E, together with arginine and L-carnitine, in 420 men over six months. It measured sperm quality and reproductive hormones.
L-Arginine has also been studied in relation to men's sexual health, including in combination with Pycnogenol®.
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Reishi Mushroom
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Selenium
Selenium is an important mineral for the immune system. It also helps maintain healthy hair and nails and is necessary for the use of Iodine in thyroid hormone function.
Spirulina
Spirulina is absolutely packed with nutrients, including proteins, B Vitamins, Copper, Iron and Magnesium, all of which play their own important role in the body.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is vital for our immune system, fighting off infections and in the production of white blood cells. It is also essential for healthy skin, vision and eye health.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is 'The Energy Vitamin' and is essential for the production of red blood cells, fuelling our energy and helping maintain a healthy heart.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 contributes to energy production. It helps convert the food that we eat into energy that we use throughout our day.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is vital for our immune health, wound healing and for the health of our skin through its central role in collagen production and supporting blood vessels feeding our skin.
