Arginine and the Heart: How Are They Connected?

Arginine is an amino acid that plays an important role in physical health, especially for the cardiovascular system. Whether you're health-conscious, exercise regularly, or are into fitness, Arginine may be beneficial for you. This article will explain the properties of Arginine and its relationship with the heart.

First, What is Arginine?

Arginine is a type of amino acid that the body can produce on its own, but in limited quantities. We can get additional Arginine from food or dietary supplements. The importance of Arginine for heart health is related to its role as a precursor for the production of nitric oxide, which is an important substance for blood vessel dilation and helps with blood circulation.

Research on the Benefits of Arginine for the Heart

1. Blood Pressure 

Research by Menzel and Schütte in 2018 indicates that Arginine causes an increase in nitric oxide levels, helping blood vessels dilate, resulting in lower blood pressure.

2. Improving Blood Circulation 

According to a study by McRae in 2016, Arginine helps with blood vessel dilation and improves blood flow, which reduces the risk of blood clots. Patients with coronary artery disease may find that chest pain decreases when they receive Arginine supplements.

3. Improving Exercise Performance 

Research by Pahlavani and colleagues in 2017 states that due to Arginine's properties affecting blood vessels and the heart, athletes and those who exercise found that Arginine supplementation can help increase endurance and exercise efficiency.

What to Eat to Get Arginine

Arginine can mainly be found in protein-rich foods since Arginine is one of the amino acids. Examples include low-fat meats such as chicken breast, beef tenderloin, or fish, especially salmon and tuna. It can also be found in plants such as various beans like peanuts, soybeans, almonds, or grains like pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, oats, and brown rice.

Conclusion about Arginine

Although Arginine is an amino acid that plays an important role in heart and blood vessel health, consuming foods with Arginine in daily life may not be sufficient. We should look for ways to supplement Arginine for the body, which should be considered alongside exercise for even better efficiency.

References

1. Wu, G. (2016). Functional amino acids in nutrition and health. Amino acids, 45(3), 407-411.

2. Böger, R. H. (2014). The pharmacodynamics of L-arginine. The Journal of nutrition, 137(6), 1650S-1655S.

3. Ried, K., et al. (2013). Effect of L-arginine on blood pressure: a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials. American heart journal, 166(1), 71-77.

4. Menzel, D., & Schütte, R. (2018). L-Arginine and B vitamins improve endothelial function in subjects with mild to moderate blood pressure elevation. European journal of nutrition, 57(2), 557-568.

5. McRae, M. P. (2016). Therapeutic benefits of l-Arginine: An umbrella review of meta-analyses. Journal of chiropractic medicine, 15(3), 184-189.

6. Ströhle, A., & Hahn, A. (2017). Nutrition and the heart. In Translational Research in Coronary Artery Disease (pp. 239-253). Academic Press.

7. Pahlavani, N., et al. (2017). The effects of l-arginine supplementation on body composition and performance in male athletes: a double-blinded randomized clinical trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71(4), 544-548.

8. Gad, M. Z. (2010). Anti-aging effects of l-arginine. Journal of advanced research, 1(3), 169-177.