Also indexed as: L-Arginine
The amino acid arginine has several roles
in the body, such as assisting in wound
healing, helping remove excess ammonia from the body, stimulating immune function, and promoting secretion of several
hormones, including glucagon, insulin, and
growth hormone.
Arginine has been used in
connection with the following conditions (refer to the individual
health concern for complete information):
Who is likely to be deficient?
Normally, the body makes enough arginine, even when it is lacking in the diet. However,
during times of unusual stress (including
infection, burns, and injury), the body may not be able to keep up with
increased requirements.
How much is usually taken?
Most people do not need to take extra arginine. While some people with serious infections, burns, or other trauma should take arginine,
appropriate amounts must be determined by a doctor. Levels used in research vary considerably
(2–30 grams per day). Most research on
cardiovascular disease has used between 6 and 20 grams per day. Optimal intakes remain
unknown and are likely to vary depending upon the individual.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
For most people, arginine has so far appeared to be free of obvious side effects. However,
longer-term studies are needed to confirm its safety.
In a double-blind study, supplementation with 9 grams of arginine per day for six months,
beginning within 3 to 21 days after a heart
attack, resulted in an increase in the mortality rate.1 Therefore, people who
have recently suffered a heart attack should probably not take large amounts of arginine.
Arginine is beneficial for other manifestations of heart disease, such as heart failure and
angina. However, because of the potential for arginine to cause adverse effects in heart
patients, people with heart disease should consult a doctor before taking arginine.
There have been two case reports of severe allergic reactions following intravenous
administration of L-arginine;2 however, allergic reactions have not been reported
after oral administration.
People with kidney or liver disease should consult their doctor before supplementing with
arginine. Some doctors believe that people with herpes (either cold sores or genital herpes) should not take arginine supplements,
because of the possibility that arginine might stimulate replication of the virus.
Administration of large amounts of arginine to animals has been found both to
promote3 and to interfere with
cancer growth.4 In preliminary research, high intake (30 grams per day) of
arginine has increased cancer cell growth in humans.5 On the other hand, in people
with cancer, arginine has been found to stimulate the immune system.6 At this time it remains
unclear whether arginine is dangerous or helpful for people with cancer.
Arginine works with ornithine in the
synthesis of growth hormone.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known drug interactions
with arginine.
References:1. Schulman SP, Becker LC, Kass DA, et al. L-arginine therapy in acute
myocardial infarction: the Vascular Interaction With Age in Myocardial Infarction (VINTAGE MI)
randomized clinical trial. JAMA 2006;295:58–64.
2. Resnick DJ, Softness B, Murphy AR, et al. Case report of an
anaphylactoid reaction to arginine. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol
2002;88:67–8.
3. Park KGM. The immunological and metabolic effects of L-arginine in
human cancer. Proc Nutr Soc 1993;52:387–401.
4. Takeda Y, Tominga T, Tei N, et al. Inhibitory effect of L-arginine on
growth of rat mammary tumors induced by 7,12-dimethlybenz(a)anthracine. Cancer Res
1975;35:2390–3.
5. Park KGM. The immunological and metabolic effects of L-arginine in
human cancer. Proc Nutr Soc 1993;52:387–401.
6. Brittenden J, Park KGM, Heys SD, et al. L-arginine stimulates host
defenses in patients with breast cancer. Surgery 1994;115:205–12.