Arginine

Arginine (abbreviated as Arg or R)[1] is an a-amino acid. The L-form is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids. Its codons are CGU, CGC, CGA, CGG, AGA, and AGG. In mammals, arginine is classified as a semiessential or conditionally essential amino acid, depending on the developmental stage and health status of the individual. Infants are unable to effectively synthesize arginine, making it nutritionally essential for infants. Adults, however, are able to synthesize arginine in the urea cycle, if all enzymes work efficently. Arginine (or L-Arginine) is an amino acid involved in numerous areas of human biochemistry, including ammonia detoxification, hormone secretion, and the immune system. Arginine is also well known as a precursor to nitric oxide, a key component of endothelial-derived relaxing factor. The endothelium is the lining inside blood vessels and arginine supplements help make more nitric oxide. Therefore, arginine, by making more nitric oxide helps to relax and dilate blood vessels. Nitric oxide is a messenger molecule involved in a variety of endothelium-dependent effects in the cardiovascular system. Because of arginine's nitric oxide-stimulating effects, it may potentially be useful in hypertension, preeclampsia, intermittent claudication, and erectile dysfunction. In addition, arginine has been studied for its role in HIV / AIDS, athletic performance, burns and trauma, diabetes and syndrome X, male and female infertility, and interstitial cystitis. Just learn more on arginine-health-benefits.