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Arginine
Arginine
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BASIC INFORMATIONArginine is an amino acid.
Available from natural sources? Yes
Available from synthetic sources? Yes
Prescription required? No
NATURAL SOURCES
Brown rice
Carob
Chocolate
Nuts
Oatmeal
Popcorn
Raisins
Raw cereals
Sesame seeds
Sunflower seeds
Whole-wheat products
REASONS TO USE
Functions as building block of all proteins.
Stimulates human growth hormone.
UNPROVED SPECULATED BENEFITS
Increases metabolism in fat cells to decrease obesity.
Builds muscle.
Speeds wound healing.
Stimulates immune system.
Inhibits cancer.
Increases sperm count in males.
WHO NEEDS ADDITIONAL AMOUNTS?
Single amino-acid deficiencies are unknown except in people on
crash diets consisting of only a few foods.
Amino-acid deficiencies appear more commonly as a result of
total protein deficiency, which is rare in the United States and
Canada.
Anyone with inadequate caloric or nutritional dietary intake
or increased nutritional requirements.
Those with inadequate protein dietary intake.
Children, pregnant or lactating women who are vegan
vegetarians.
People with recent severe burns or injuries.
Premature infants.
DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
None expected
UNPROVED SPECULATED SYMPTOMS
Male infertility
LAB TESTS TO DETECT DEFICIENCY
None available, except for experimental purposes.
DOSAGE AND USAGE INFORMATION
Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA):
No RDA has been established.
What this amino acid does:
Provides part of all proteins.
Miscellaneous information:
Arginine has been reported to increase the activity of some
herpes viruses and inhibit others.
If you take arginine as a supplement, take it on an empty
stomach before retiring at night.
Poorly nourished people have a greater chance of adverse side
effects from taking amino-acid supplements, including an amino-
acid imbalance.
The poorer the diet, the greater the chance of an amino-acid
supplement creating a harmful combination.
Available as:
Tablets or capsules: Swallow whole with full glass of liquid.
Don't chew or crush. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after
meals unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Powder for oral solution: Dissolve powder in cold water or
juice. Take with meals or 1 to 1-1/2 hours after meals unless
otherwise directed by your doctor.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if you:
Are a child or adolescent not fully grown.
Are allergic to any food protein, such as eggs, milk, wheat.
Are at risk of poor nutrition for any reason.
Consult your doctor if you have:
Any bone disease.
Herpes infection (genital or oral).
Over age 55:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Pregnancy:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy and eat
an adequate diet.
Don't take megadoses.
Breast-feeding:
Don't take amino-acid supplements if you are healthy.
Don't take megadoses.
Effect on lab tests:
None known.
Storage:
Store in cool, dry place away from direct light, but don't
freeze.
Store safely out of reach of children.
Don't store in bathroom medicine cabinet. Heat and moisture
may change action of amino acid.
Others:
Children and adolescents should NOT take any arginine
supplement. It may cause bone deformities.
OVERDOSE/TOXICITY
Signs and symptoms:
Unlikely to threaten life or cause significant symptoms.
What to do:
For symptoms of overdosage: Discontinue amino acid, and
consult doctor. Also see ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
section below.
For accidental overdosage (such as child taking entire
bottle): Dial 911 (emergency), 0 for operator or your nearest
Poison Control Center.
ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
| Reaction or effect |
What to do |
| Diarrhea (from large doses) |
Decrease dose or discontinue. |
| Nausea (from large doses) |
Decrease dose or discontinue. |
INTERACTION WITH MEDICINE, VITAMINS OR MINERALS
None known
INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
None known
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From Complete Guide to Vitamins, Minerals & Supplements by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. Copyright by Putnam Publishing
Group. Electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.
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