What is L-arginine, and what is it`s role in regulating blood pressure?
It has been labelled a non-essential amino acid basically because our own body manufactures it in measure. We also need to boost it from the foods we eat and through physical activity, but the worse our diets and the more sedentary our lifestyles become, this amino acid in reality takes on the “essential” so to speak.
Arginine is needed to bio-synthesize super nitric oxide which is transported by hemoglobin around the body for vital organs that need it and our cardiovascular system is included. It reacts on the lining of blood vessels (endothelium) to stimulate the smooth muscle to relax reducing high blood pressure, so if we are lacking in some way we are more likely to develop hypertension.
So you might conclude that the solution is easy then. Just supplement with l-arginine! This has been successful for many people. Dr. Ignarro, Nobel prize winner who discovered the importance of nitric oxide in its role to open blood vessels helps us understand that not only will supplementing this amino acid reduce blood pressure in some but prove beneficial in a wide range of health issues. Memory and learning is one of them and I lacking seriously in retaining information, could really do with some of that. But it may not prove to be so for some of us.
Apparently, if you are over 50 as Dr. states in this YouTube video , you may not be able to assimilate it very well so it can produce nitric oxide. He says it is just part of the aging process. Well I am certainly going to have a go and see if my memory improves. Trying it for a period of time to see if it will have an effect may be beneficial but do consult your doctor first. This article is for information purposes only. You should consult a qualified practitioner for diagnosis and any prescribed treatment. (See the disclaimer)
Other ways to boost nitric oxide in the blood and to open blood vessels is through diet and exercise as I mention above.
The foods that contain l-arginine are:
- Chicken
- Turkey
- Milk
- Yogurt
- Salmon
- Tuna
- Halibut
- Beef
- Pork
- Gelatin
- Dairy products
- seafood
- Oatmeal
- Wheat germ
- Mosts nuts
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Soybeans
- Beetroot
Exercises such as resistance training and aerobics are two of the best ways to produce nitric oxide to open arteries and blood vessels. It strengthens the heart, aids the circulation, keeps our weight down, and improves our mood.
There are so many ways to get support the production of nitric oxide. L-arginine is the major supplier and worth trying out.
Sources
Effect of oral l-arginine supplementation on blood pressure: A meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials –