| Arginine | |||||
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Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid which means that in normal circumstances, it is non-essential, but becomes essential if the body cannot poduce enough of its own, especially in special circumstances, such as trauma, severe burns and extreme stress, as well as some genetic conditions that make the body unable to take up the arginine in the diet.
Arginine is an essential amino acid for new-born babies, who cannot produce enough arginine of their own.
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- Arginine is used by the cells to make nitric oxide, which is important for cardiovascular health
- Plays an important role in the detoxification of ammonia formed during the nitrogen catabolism of amino acids via the formation of urea
- Is a precursor in the formation of nitric oxide, creatine, polyamines, glutamate, and proline
- Can be converted to glucose and glycogen if needed by the body
- In large doses,arginine also stimulates the release of human growth hormone and prolactin
- Arginine is predominately synthesized in the kidney
- People with herpes (either genital herpes or cold sores) should not take arginine supplements because it may make their symptoms worse (plus it may counteract the benefits of lysine to treat herpes)
- Small amounts of arginine are found in seminal fluid
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Arginine has an important role in wound repair (including wound caused by burns), which may be due to its role in the formation of proline, an important amino acid that is essential for the synthesis of collagen.
Arginine is useful in improving the immune system - it increases the size and activity of the thymus gland, which is responsible for maturing the T lymphocytes (also known as T-cells), the white blood cells that assist the immune system. For this reason arginine might be an important nutrient for people suffering from malignant diseases that suppress the immune system. Research is continuing in this area.
references
- Cynober LA. Metabolic & Therapeutic Aspects of Amino Acids in Clinical Nutrition. 2nd Edition, 2003. CRC Publishing
- Osiecki, Henry, The Nutrient Bible 2002, BioConcepts Publishing
- Rolfes SR, Pinna K, Whitney E. Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition. 7th Edition, 2005. Brooks Cole Publishing
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