What is L-Arginine?
L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid, this means the body is able to synthesize L-arginine but can only do so under certain conditions.1 It is found in foods of animal origin like red meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products2. L-arginine is also involved in synthesis of proteins, and is a factor in the formation of nitric oxide, a chemical that aids the dilation of blood vessels.
It briefly highlights L-arginine and its function, various forms and L-arginine as gyms supplement, nutraceutical uses and a brief on L-arginine manufacturers domestic and international.
L-arginine is used in synthesis of several products in the body. Such substances are:
- Nitric Oxide (NO): Nitric oxide gives the blood vessels the ability for dilation to allow proper blood flow and proper circulation.
- Urea Cycle: L-arginine plays a role in the urea synthesis to expel ammonia from the body since it is toxic by product to the body from the breakdown of proteins.
- Creatine: L-arginine plays a good role as a precursor to creatine which is used in transporting energy to body cells especially muscles during vigorous exercise activity.
Mechanism of Action
L-arginine being an amino acid is metabolized in to nitric oxide in the body. Nitric oxide is well-known as a vasodilator as it helps broaden blood vessels, and thereby boosts the delivery of blood and oxygen to muscles. (2)
- Nitric Oxide Production: L-arginine raises nitric oxide levels to dilate blood vessels and thus enhance the cardiovascular system and workout results through better oxygenation and better nutrition to the muscles.
- Endothelial Function: It aids in the enhancement of endothelium that is responsible for proper blood vessels ultimately preventing heart diseases.
- Growth Hormone: As per some studies, L-arginine can increase the level of growth hormones, which helps build muscles and hasten the rates of recovery.
Uses of L-Arginine
L-arginine affects and provides many benefits to the body. Here are some of the key uses:
- Heart Health: Enhances oxygen carrying capacity and decreases the blood pressure.
- Erectile Dysfunction: L-arginine is sometimes administered to cure erectile dysfunction (ED) since it assists in widening of blood vessels and a consequent improvement of blood supply to the genital area.
- Athletic Performance: May enhance exercise performance through increased level of nitric oxide.
- Wound Healing: L-arginine also encourage tissue remodeling and collagen synthesis and therefore useful in recovery from surgery, injury, or burns.
- Immune Function: L-arginine assists in the improvement of blood flow to tissues and delivery of nutrients, this amino acid might help to increase immune system activity in order to fight off infection and heal from wounds.
- Exercise Performance: L-arginine is best sold in the sports nutrition market and for good reason as it helps increase blood circulation and therefore the amounts of oxygen and other nutrients available to muscles during physical activities.
L-arginine as a Gym Supplement
L-arginine is taken by athletes and other people who exercise frequently. It can enhance exercise capacity, decrease post-exercise muscle glycogen usage, and post-exercise recovery rate.(1)
Here’s how L-arginine supplements benefits gym-goers:
1. Enhanced Blood Flow & Vasodilation
L-arginine raises nitric oxide levels in the body and that results in blood vessel dilation.
2. Recovery & Reduced Fatigue
L-arginine can prevent as well as treat muscle fatigue and soreness that results from build-up of metabolic waste products such as lactic acid which it helps to remove from muscles to enhance a quicker post-workout recovery.
3. Growth Hormone Release
Another study found that, L-arginine can trigger the secretion of growth hormones that are very important for muscle repair, growth, and fat loss.
L-arginine Nutraceutical Manufacturers
L-arginine has many health benefits and nutraceutical manufacturers develop supplements from it. These manufacturers make sure that their products adhere to the highest quality and meet all the regulatory necessities. The L-arginine market occupies several segments, such as pharmaceutical, sports nutrition, and nutraceuticals segments. Here are the prominent contract manufactures for L-arginine in India: -
- Abha Biotechnology Pvt Ltd.- Located in Noida, it is among one of the India’s leading nutraceutical contract manufacturers which is manufacturing L-arginine in bigger capacity. Their product comes in two sizes- 100gms and 250gms. It is famous for enhancing performance while exercising and also for regaining energy after the exercise.(3)
- BioThrive Sciences: It is becoming a reputed manufacturer of both private label and contract manufacturing of L-arginine and Vitamin supplements.
- Noreva Biotech: Noreva Biotech is the third-party contract manufacturing company of nutraceuticals & private label medicines that is located in Jaipur, Rajasthan.
Global Market
The international market for L-arginine supplements is growing, boosted by growing consumer interest from athletes and bodybuilders and anybody trying to improve their heart health or overall health.
The non-essential amino acid, L-arginine is well-known to have many health benefits and uses. Used to improve circulation, sports performance, and to support the immune system is useful in supplementing numerous populations.
Current trends for L-Arginine
- L-arginine Benefits: L-arginine is an amino acid with a reputation for synthesizing nitric oxide and increasing blood flow, improve exercise performance, and heart health.
- Biotechnological Production: The industry is now procuring L-arginine through fermentation technology which seems to be the favourable methods in terms of yield, costs and sustainability as compared to other methods.
- Plant-Based Sourcing: with increased uptake of plant-based diets, manufacturers are sourcing vegan plant-based L-arginine from plant sources such as soy, watermelon, and pumpkin seeds to suit people’s dietary concerns and reduce their carbon footprint.
- Personalized Nutrition: L-arginine supplement being blended with other amino acids like citrulline, there’s increased interest for personal nutrient with demand for specific performance, recovery and health products.
- Sustainability and Ethics: Currently, the industry needs to focus on the environment friendly manufacturing and sourcing of the products to satisfy the consumer demand on socially responsible products in the health sector.
- Market Growth: Currently, the global market for L-arginine has been growing primarily driven by the rising demand for this product in the sports nutrition and in cardiovascular supplements.
Conclusion
L-arginine is an amino acid that has multiple uses; it helps in workouts and is also a good nutrient for the heart. Regardless being an addition to gym activities, for the heart, or in the nutraceutical industry, L-arginine proves critical for enhancing general wellbeing. Because the market for L-arginine is progressively improving, this market is anticipated to also experience stepped up product development as far as formulations and uses are concerned.
References