2010-2011 The Cardio Corner - All Rights Reserved
Arginine is a vitally important amino acid that has been studied for more than fifty years. Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, and protein is the building block of all living cells. The greatest portion of human body weight, after water, is protein. On the cellular level, the principal function of DNA is to provide the "blueprints" for production of hundreds of different proteins, each constructed from unique sequences of amino acids that are held together by peptidebonds. There are more than twenty commonly known amino acids, and additional amino acids are periodically identified, classified, and studied.
Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that has shown promise in the prevention of arteriosclerosis (blockage of the arteries). L-arginine is pure 100% free form arginine and is the precursor for endothelium-derived nitric oxide (EDNO). Three scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize In Medicine in 1998 for discovering nitric oxide's role as a vasodilator. In a healthy endothelium (inner wall of a blood vessel), nitric oxide (NO) will keep vessels pliable and elastic, dilate (open up) blood vessels keeping blood flowing smoothly, relax blood vessels, keep platelets and white blood cells calm and prevent them from sticking to the vessel wall, prevent oxidation, slow plaque growth, suppress arteriosclerosis and melt away plaque that already exists.
After arginine is consumed in foods and in supplements, it makes its way into the bloodstream and circulates throughout the body. As it enters the endothelial cells that line the smooth muscle walls of blood vessels, an enzymatic reaction occurs that converts arginine to nitric oxide. As the levels of arginine rise in the body, so does your production of nitric oxide, which in turn can have a dramatic and positive effect on your cardiovascular health.
A healthy liver can produce approximately 80 percent of the body's required amino acids. They are termed the "nonessential" amino acids, not because they lack importance, quite the contrary, but because the body can synthesize them from other amino acids obtained from dietary sources. The human body, for example, can readily synthesize arginine to ornithine, or ornithine to arginine. The remaining 20 percent of amino acids required by humans are termed "essential" amino acids because they cannot be manufactured by the body and must be obtained from dietary sources. The body's ability to synthesize the nonessential amino acids such as arginine, and to utilize all amino acids, can be adversely affected by an individual's advancing age, overall health, organ health, the presence of infection, physical trauma such as injury, effects of stress, compromised nutrient absorption capacity, and imbalances of other nutrients.
More on L-Arginine
Over 90,000 evidence-based, peer-reviewed, scientific and clinical research articles, papers and studies laud the power of l-arginine. Those medically published attest to the fact that arginine will help lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol and triglycerides, improve diabetes, improve sexual function, reduce blood clots and strokes, improve congestive heart failure, improve wound healing, improve liver and kidney function, improve memory and cognitive functions, increase human growth hormone (HGH), and much more.
In 1998, a team of American scientists uncovered a huge link when they discovered the nitric oxide
Anti-Aging
Decrease Fat
Increase Lean Muscle Mass
Lower Cholesterol
Lower Blood Pressure
Reduce Blood Clots
Improve Stamina/Sexual Function
Increase Energy
Improve Mental Clarity
Improve Immune System
...and more!
