Arginine is an essential amino acid that supports male fertility. To include it in your diet, be sure to eat nuts — particularly almonds and walnuts — and fish, which have high levels of arginine. Vegetable proteins like soy protein have some arginine, but not as much as nuts and fish.
Although the main function of arginine is to support male fertility, it is also beneficial during times of stress or growth.
Arginine can contribute to herpes outbreaks if you’re susceptible. People with cold sores or genital herpes are known to become worse when they consume this amino acid.
If you have diabetes, have your doctor monitor your progress before trying arginine as a supplement, because it stimulates the pancreas to release insulin. Arginine may be beneficial if you are borderline diabetic or have non-insulin dependent diabetes.
Tests on arginine in doses of two grams per day show that it improves male fertility and sperm function. Arginine can help stimulate the body’s production of nitric oxide, a powerful blood vessel dilator, which may also help with some kinds of impotence by increasing blood flow to the penis.
Arginine is essential for childhood growth, and you need more during times of stress or recovery from illness.
Arginine helps build hormones, particularly growth hormone, which helps in the following processes:
Muscle development
Weight reduction
Thymus gland and immune functions
Wound healing
Growth in kids
Reduced risk of coronary heart disease
Don’t take high amount of arginine for an extended period of time, and always take it under the supervision of your practitioner.
Your body manufactures ornithine — another amino acid — from arginine. Ornithine aids in the production of growth hormone. Bodybuilders commonly use ornithine and arginine together as a growth hormone stimulant.
Key uses of ornithine include:
With arginine, ornithine is useful in nitrogen (ammonia) metabolism.
Ornithine is thought to help build the immune system, promote wound healing, and support liver regeneration.
Insomnia is a potential side effect of taking ornithine.
The recommended dose is as high as 1 to 2 grams twice daily.