Natural Sources of L-arginine

Tap to Read ➤ Rajib Singha

The basic building blocks and one of the most essential nutrients in our body are known as amino acids. L-arginine is one of these amino acids that we require for daily functioning. Here we speak of the natural sources of L-arginine.

For basic functioning, making proteins, and the development of the body, we need 20 amino acids. And one of these is L-arginine - an alpha amino acid. This acid is manufactured in the kidneys. Under normal circumstances, this substance is produced in enough quantities in the body, except during disorders or illnesses.

Then, supplements are necessary. As I have mentioned, this amino acid is required for various functions and keeps our body in an optimally healthy state. Some common examples include wound healing, division of cells, and release of growth hormones in children to grow into adults to name a few.

Going for natural sources of L-arginine is the easiest and the safest way to keep the required amount of this amino acid in the body.

The best sources of L-arginine are the proteins derived from plants and animals. These may include dairy products, poultry, fish, meat products, and nuts.

Dairy Products Butter Buttermilk Cheese Milk Yogurt

Sea Food

Anchovies Crabs Crayfish Cuttlefish Lobsters Oysters Prawns Sardines Scallops Sea lions Shellfish Shrimp Snails Tuna

Meat and Poultry

Beef Chicken Deer Eggs Elk Goat meat Ostrich Pork Turkey Veal

Nuts, Fruits, and Vegetables

Almonds Apples Asparagus Bananas Beet Beet greens Black beans Blackberries

Blueberries Brazil nuts Broccoli Brown rice Brussels sprouts Buckwheat Cabbage Cashews Cauliflower

Celery Chickpeas Granola Hazelnuts Legumes Oats Peanuts Pecans Pumpkin seeds

Raisins Sesame seeds Spinach Sunflower seeds Walnuts Wheat flour Wheat germ

L-arginine Uses

An important job of this amino acid is associated with the functioning of the heart. Nitric oxide when released in the body, helps in relaxing blood vessels and thus, improves their function and blood flow. And one of the benefits of this is reduced blood pressure in the body.

Many people suffer from the problem of erectile dysfunction. Even in this case, the action of nitric oxide is stimulated in the body, and it helps improve the condition with the help of L-arginine.

As already mentioned, this stuff is responsible for the production of growth hormones, which helps a child reach adulthood. L-arginine helps the healing of wounds.

Other medical conditions which can be improved with the help of this amino acid include congestive heart failure, chest pain, infection of the bladder, weight loss, kidney problems, inflammation of the digestive tract, and pain and weakness in limbs.

Side effects in response to an overdose

Low blood pressure Nausea Headache Indigestion Increased stomach acid/heartburn

Change in the potassium levels in the body Spiked blood sugar levels Aggravated symptoms of genital herpes Allergies Breathing Difficulty Allergies

As a closing note, it is recommended not to use the L-arginine supplements for patients who have a history of heart attack as it may make such conditions worse. Also, expecting mothers, nursing women, and children are not considered suitable candidates for using supplements.