Arginine & Heart Disease

Heart disease kills approximately 652,091 people each year in the U.S. This accounts for 27 percent of all deaths in the U.S. The term heart disease is a more general term for several distinct heart conditions such as congenital heart disease, arrythmias and pericardial disease.

Researching the symptoms and causes of heart disease is an important aspect of a healthy lifestyle. Finding holistic approaches to combating heart problems is a significant tool for living a full, long life. One strategy that may be beneficial is adding an amino acid called arginine or L-arginine to your diet via food or supplements.

Significance

• Although arginine was isolated in 1886, it was in 1932 that scientists realized arginine is necessary in urea creation. Urea is required to remove ammonia from the body. Arginine assists the body in wound healing, assisting the kidneys to remove waste and maintaining hormone and immune functions in the body.

  Specifically for the heart, arginine converts nitric oxide into a neurotransmitter. This improves blood circulation and relaxes blood vessels. Arginine improves blood flow in the heart. Poor blood flow contributes to clogged arteries, angina and coronary artery disease. Blood pressure may also be reduced by using arginine.

  Pregnant women who have pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy) have effectively used arginine to relieve symptoms. This treatment should only be considered with careful monitoring by a health care professional.

  Arginine is well known by bodybuilders. It is one of several amino acids in a formula called creatine, which is used to increase muscle mass and promote fat loss.

Function

• The body does make arginine and supplements may not be necessary. Generally, only people with excessive ammonia production, protein malnutrition, infections, burns, urea synthesis problems, sepsis or peritoneal dialysis (a form of kidney dialysis) need additional arginine.

  Symptoms attributed to arginine deficiency are hair loss, skin rashes, poor wound healing, constipation and a fatty liver.

Dosage

• Although there are varying standards on arginine recommended daily allowances, generally an adult can take 2 to 3 grams up to three time a day. It can also be applied topically on wounds to help improve healing.

Diet

• Boosting arginine intake can be accomplished by making dietary changes. Foods that contain this amino acid include nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, Brazil, cashews, peanuts, almonds), seeds (sesame, sunflower), brown rice, coconut, raisins, grains (barley, buckwheat, oats, corn), chicken, red meat, fish and dairy products. Use care with Brazil nuts consumption as they have high levels of selenium. For people who want to combat heart disease by increasing arginine in their system, changing the diet may be the simplest approach.

Conclusion

• When considering using supplements to increase arginine, talk to a holistic practitioner or your health care provider. Although it generally does not have side effects for most people, serious side effects can occur, including low blood pressure, increased blood sugar, worsening condition for people with sickle cell anemia and increased potassium for people with liver problems.