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Article: L-Arginine.(Monograph)(benefits of L-arginine as a dietary supplement)
- Article from:
- Alternative Medicine Review
- Article date:
- June 1, 2005
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 Thorne Research Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Introduction
L-Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid involved in numerous areas of human physiology, including production of nitric oxide (NO)--a key messenger molecule involved in vascular regulation, immune activity, and endocrine function. Arginine is also involved in protein production, wound healing, erectile function, and fertility. Arginine is not considered essential because humans can synthesize it de novo from glutamine, glutamate, and proline. However, dietary intake remains the primary determinant of plasma arginine levels, since the rate of arginine biosynthesis does not compensate for depletion or inadequate supply. (1,2)
Arginine is the ...