Q & A: Correct Arginine Usage
Q: I'm wanting to use a pure arginine supplement to boost my nitric oxide levels. What other supplements should I use with it to get the best results?
A: Nitric oxide (NO) boosters are all the rage at the moment however generally can be a little expensive compared to other supplements. Using a pure arginine supplement to boost your NO can work out a lot more cost effective however you do need to make sure you use a few extra supplements with it. Arginine is classified as a nonessential amino acid but may be considered semiessential in stressful situations, and demand may be increased through high intensity training. L-arginine is involved in the generation of nitric oxide in the body.
Nitric oxide is a free radical that can do cell damage at high levels in the body, and may cause more harm than good. You must make sure to use a decent antioxidant supplement to reduce this free radical damage - Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) are some of your best choices and should help reduce any free radical damage done by increased NO levels from high arginine dosing. Many of the over the counter NO boosters will have some form of anti-oxidants added because of this.
The main benefit of enhancing NO levels in your body is that it increases vasodilation of the blood vessels. This essentially reduces your blood pressure and helps increase blood flow to your muscles. This increased blood flow increases oxygen and nutrient transport, as well as potentially speeding the removal of waste by-products like lactic acid from the muscles. This vasodilation is what gives users the enhanced muscle pumps and increased vascularity after using an NO supp, and is the main reason that the products have become so popular.
The best results from NO boosters will be achieved when combined with creatine as the increase in NO should help enhance the transport of the creatine (as well as other nutrients) into the muscle cells leading to increased muscle power and greater longterm muscle growth. Again most OTC NO supps will contain some form of creatine, so if you are using a pure arginine supplement I would always recommend stacking it with a good quality pure creatine monohydrate (Creapure Creatine is the most pure and safest creatine monohydrate to use).
Other supplements that you could combine with Arginine to take advantage of increased NO and nutrient transport would be Beta-alanine (to enhance carnosine and reduce lactic acid buildup), BCAA's, Histidine and Ornithine (also NO stimulators). It's probably going to be best used about 30 mins before training so you could add some form of carbohydrates, and a little bit of sodium to help increase uptake as well.
Other potential side effects include low blood pressure and changes in numerous chemicals and electrolytes in the blood. Examples include high potassium, high chloride, low sodium, low phosphate, high blood urea nitrogen, and high creatinine levels. People with liver or kidney diseases may be especially sensitive to these complications and should avoid using arginine except under medical supervision. After injections of arginine, low back pain, flushing, headache, numbness, restless legs, venous irritation, and death of surrounding tissues have been reported.
In theory, arginine may increase the risk of bleeding. Patients using anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs, or with underlying bleeding disorders, should speak with their qualified healthcare providers before using arginine and should be monitored.
L-arginine has unpredictable effects on insulin and cholesterol-lowering agents. L-arginine may potentiate the effects of isosorbide mononitrate and sodium nitroprusside. Arginine may increase blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients taking prescription drugs to control sugar levels.
Arginine may increase potassium levels, especially in patients with liver disease.
L-arginine may worsen symptoms of sickle cell disease.
Nitric oxide is a free radical that can do cell damage at high levels in the body, and may cause more harm than good. You must make sure to use a decent antioxidant supplement to reduce this free radical damage - Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Alpha-Lipoic Acid and N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) are some of your best choices and should help reduce any free radical damage done by increased NO levels from high arginine dosing. Many of the over the counter NO boosters will have some form of anti-oxidants added because of this.
The main benefit of enhancing NO levels in your body is that it increases vasodilation of the blood vessels. This essentially reduces your blood pressure and helps increase blood flow to your muscles. This increased blood flow increases oxygen and nutrient transport, as well as potentially speeding the removal of waste by-products like lactic acid from the muscles. This vasodilation is what gives users the enhanced muscle pumps and increased vascularity after using an NO supp, and is the main reason that the products have become so popular.
The best results from NO boosters will be achieved when combined with creatine as the increase in NO should help enhance the transport of the creatine (as well as other nutrients) into the muscle cells leading to increased muscle power and greater longterm muscle growth. Again most OTC NO supps will contain some form of creatine, so if you are using a pure arginine supplement I would always recommend stacking it with a good quality pure creatine monohydrate (Creapure Creatine is the most pure and safest creatine monohydrate to use).
Other supplements that you could combine with Arginine to take advantage of increased NO and nutrient transport would be Beta-alanine (to enhance carnosine and reduce lactic acid buildup), BCAA's, Histidine and Ornithine (also NO stimulators). It's probably going to be best used about 30 mins before training so you could add some form of carbohydrates, and a little bit of sodium to help increase uptake as well.
L-Arginine Dosing
L-arginine has been studied at oral doses of 6 to 30 g/day for a variety of conditions. For strength training typically L-Arginine can be used 2 to 3 times per day, with dosages of up to 3 grams per serve for effective NO stimulation. For increased pump and nutrient transport during training a serving may be used 30-45 minutes prior to weight training sessions. High doses of L-Arginine may cause stomach upset and diarrhea, so it is best to start with a low dose when first using it. <High Doses of L-Arginine MUST always be used with antioxidants to avoid free radical damage.Side Effects of L-Arginine:
Caution should be taken when using high doses of Arginine. Anyone susceptible to viral infections, Coldsores or the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) should avoid its use, as it can stimulate or feed such infections. Arginine should not be used by people with glaucoma, as it reduces arterial pressure and increases retinal blood flow unless prescribed by a physician.Other potential side effects include low blood pressure and changes in numerous chemicals and electrolytes in the blood. Examples include high potassium, high chloride, low sodium, low phosphate, high blood urea nitrogen, and high creatinine levels. People with liver or kidney diseases may be especially sensitive to these complications and should avoid using arginine except under medical supervision. After injections of arginine, low back pain, flushing, headache, numbness, restless legs, venous irritation, and death of surrounding tissues have been reported.
In theory, arginine may increase the risk of bleeding. Patients using anticoagulants (blood thinners) or antiplatelet drugs, or with underlying bleeding disorders, should speak with their qualified healthcare providers before using arginine and should be monitored.
L-arginine has unpredictable effects on insulin and cholesterol-lowering agents. L-arginine may potentiate the effects of isosorbide mononitrate and sodium nitroprusside. Arginine may increase blood sugar levels. Caution is advised in patients taking prescription drugs to control sugar levels.
Arginine may increase potassium levels, especially in patients with liver disease.
L-arginine may worsen symptoms of sickle cell disease.
