L-arginine is an amino acid that helps the body build protein.
Your body usually makes all the L-arginine it needs. L-arginine is also found in most protein-rich foods, including fish, red meat, poultry, soy, whole grains, beans and dairy products.
As a supplement, L-arginine can be used orally and topically. It can also be administered intravenously (IV).
Because L-arginine acts as a vasodilator, opening (dilating) blood vessels, many people take oral L-arginine to treat heart conditions and erectile dysfunction.
What the research says
Research on the use of L-arginine for specific conditions shows:
- Angina. Studies suggest that L-arginine may decrease symptoms and improve quality of life in people with a mild to severe form of this type of chest pain.
- High blood pressure (hypertension). Some research has shown that oral L-arginine can lower blood pressure in healthy people, people with mild blood pressure elevation and diabetes, and in people with a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. (pulmonary hypertension). Infusions of L-arginine also appear to lower blood pressure in people with hypertension.
- High blood pressure during pregnancy. Some studies show that L-arginine infusions may lower blood pressure in pregnant women who develop high blood pressure.
- Preeclampsia. L-arginine infusions may lower blood pressure in women with this pregnancy complication. Some research shows that taking oral L-arginine might help prevent preeclampsia in pregnant women.
- Erectile dysfunction. Taking oral L-arginine might improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction due to a physical cause.
- Peripheral arterial disease (PAD). When taken orally or by infusion for a short period of time, L-arginine may improve symptoms and blood flow in people with this circulatory condition.
Our take
Generally safe
L-arginine is considered to be generally safe. It might be effective at lowering blood pressure, reducing the symptoms of angina and PAD , and treating erectile dysfunction due to a physical cause.
However, if you take a blood pressure drug, talk to your doctor before using L-arginine.
Safety and side effects
Using L-arginine orally or topically is generally considered safe.
Oral use of L-arginine might cause:
- Nausea, abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Bloating
- Gout
- Headache
- Allergic response
- Airway inflammation or worsening of asthma symptoms
L-arginine isn't recommended for people who have had a recent heart attack due to concerns that the supplement might increase the risk of death.
L-arginine can worsen allergies or asthma. Use the supplement with caution if you have these conditions.
Be careful about taking L-arginine if you've had cold sores or genital herpes. Too much L-arginine in your system can potentially trigger the virus that causes those conditions.
Interactions
Possible interactions include:
- Anticoagulants and anti-platelet drugs, herbs and supplements. These types of drugs, herbs and supplements reduce blood clotting. Taking L-arginine with them might increase the risk of bleeding.
- Blood pressure drugs, herbs and supplements. L-arginine might lower blood pressure in people who have high blood pressure. Combining use of L-arginine with a blood pressure drug, herb or supplement might increase the risk of blood pressure becoming too low.
- Diabetes drugs, herbs and supplements. L-arginine may decrease blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. If you're taking diabetes drugs, herbs or supplements, your dosage might need to be adjusted.
- Isoproterenol (Isuprel). Use of this heart medication with L-arginine may cause your blood pressure to become too low.
- Nitrates. Use of this chest pain medication with L-arginine might cause your blood pressure to become too low.
- Water pills (potassium-sparing diuretics). Don't take L-arginine with amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir) or triamterene (Dyrenium). These medications can increase potassium levels, increasing the risk of developing a higher than normal level of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia).
- Sildenafil (Revatio, Viagra). Use of this erectile dysfunction medication with L-arginine might cause your blood pressure to become too low.
