Description
L-Arginine is an amino acid that is essential for the production of some proteins in the body. It is widely used to enhance performance during physical exercise.
Possible Benefits
- May boost physical performance
- May decrease fatigue
- May help to build muscle
- May improve confidence
- May help with weight loss
How to Do It
L-Arginine is naturally found in some high protein foods such as poultry, soybeans, fish, whole grains, and beans. Be sure to add it to your diet.
You can also get a supplement of L-Arginine.
Why it works
- This amino acid is a vasodilator, so it helps blood to circulate optimally.
- It can help increase resistance when exercising and helps the lungs function better.
- It can increase the supply of nutrients to the muscles, thus promoting their growth.
- In animal studies, L-Arginine has been shown to help speed up fat burning.
Time Commitment
1-3 minutes
Suggested Frequency
According to the manufacturer’s instructions (if using supplement)
Time of Day
Any
At least 30 minutes before exercising
Possible Side Effects
Nausea, digestive upset, abdominal pain
Tips
- Has a greater impact on performance when performing aerobic exercise
- Complement this habit with a diet high in vegetables, fruits and abundant hydration
Supporting Studies and Articles
Expand Collapse- Dietary l-Arginine Supplementation Reduces White Fat Gain and Enhances Skeletal Muscle and Brown Fat Masses in Diet-Induced Obese Rats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3151442/
- Effects of L-arginine supplementation on exercise metabolism. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17143054/
- The effect of l-arginine supplementation on body composition and performance in male athletes: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28120856/
- Effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22137067/
- Resistance training and L-arginine supplementation are determinant in genomic stability, cardiac contractility and muscle mass development in rats. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6160175/
- Therapeutic Benefits of l-Arginine: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5021928/
