L-Arginine 500 mg 60 Caps

Amino acids have many functions in the body. Theyare the building blocks for all body proteins—structural proteins that build muscle, connectivetissues, bones and other structures, and functionalproteins in the form of thousands of metabolicallyactive enzymes. Amino acids provide the body withthe nitrogen that is essential for growth andmaintenance of all tissues and structures. Aside fromthese general functions, individual amino acids alsohave specific functions in many aspects of humanphysiology and biochemistry.L-arginine is a conditionally essential dibasic aminoacid. The body is usually capable of producingsufficient amounts of arginine, but in conditions ofphysical stress, e.g., trauma or illness, endogenoussynthesis is often inadequate to meet the body’sincreased demands. L-arginine can be either used forglucose synthesis or catabolized to produce energyvia the tricarboxylic acid cycle. It is needed for tissueprotein synthesis and ammonia detoxification via theurea acid cycle.As a precursor of nitric oxide, L-arginine mayameliorate the negative smoking-induced changes tothe structure and function of vascular tissue. Larginineis required for the synthesis of creatinephosphate. Similar to adenosine triphosphate (ATP),creatine phosphate functions as a carrier of readilyavailable energy for contractile work in muscles.Adequate reservoirs of creatine phosphate arenecessary in muscle as an energy reserve foranaerobic activity. L-arginine is also a precursor ofpolyamines, including putrescine, spermine andspermidine. Spermine and spermidine interact withDNA, act as physiological growth regulators of cellproliferation, and are involved in the stabilization ofcell membranes and cell organelles. L-arginine is apotent stimulator of insulin, glucagon, and growthhormone release, and functions as a representativesignal to the endocrine system that dietary proteiningestion has taken place.