Arginine
Non-Essential Amino Acid
Arginine is a vitally important amino acid that has been studied for more than fifty years. Studies have shown that Arginine improves immune responses to bacteria, viruses and tumor cells; promotes wound healing and egeneration of the liver; causes the release of growth hormones and is considered crucial for optimal muscle growth and tissue repair.
This amino acid boosts nitric oxide, a compound that relaxes blood vessels, and thus may help treat angina and other cardiovascular problems. If you have heart disease, talk to your doctor before taking arginine.
Nuts contain some arginine, as do dairy products, poultry, and fish. The B vitamin folate (in leafy greens and multivitamins), oats, red wine, dark chocolate, and the omega-3 fats in fish also seem to raise nitric oxide and/or generally help maintain good blood-vessel health.
Arginine has been linked to enhanced immunity, the release of the Human Growth Hormone (HGH), greater muscle mass, rapid healing from injury, increased sexual potency, and helping to reverse atherosclerosis.
