Evidence supporting the use of: L-arginine
For the body system: Muscles

Links: Go back one page, Tool main page, Ingredients list, Health conditions list, Body systems list

Table of Contents

Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

L-arginine is an amino acid that is sometimes used to support muscle function and growth, particularly among athletes and bodybuilders. The scientific rationale for its use centers on its role as a precursor to nitric oxide (NO), a molecule that dilates blood vessels and may improve blood flow to muscles during exercise. Enhanced blood flow theoretically allows for greater delivery of nutrients and oxygen, which could support muscle performance and recovery.

Several studies have investigated the effects of L-arginine supplementation on muscle strength, endurance, and growth. Some small studies suggest modest improvements in exercise performance or blood flow; however, results are inconsistent and often limited by small sample sizes or short study durations. A 2016 review in the journal Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Care noted that while L-arginine can increase nitric oxide production, its effects on exercise performance and muscle growth in healthy adults are limited and not robustly demonstrated. Larger meta-analyses and systematic reviews generally find minimal or no significant benefit for muscle strength, endurance, or hypertrophy in the general population.

In summary, while there is a scientific basis for the use of L-arginine to support muscle function through nitric oxide pathways, the clinical evidence supporting its efficacy for muscle growth or exercise performance is weak to moderate at best. Thus, its use is justified by scientific rationale, but the actual evidence for substantial benefit is limited.

More about L-arginine
More about Muscles

Other ingredients that support Muscles

Acetyl L-carnitine
Acetylcholine
adenosine 5-triphosphate disodium (ATP)
Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)
Algae
Algal protein
Alpha hydroxyisocaproic acid
alpha-ketoglutarate (AKG)
Alpha-ketoisocaproic acid
amino acids
AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)
animal protein
animal Tissue
Anserina
antler
arachidonic acid
arginine alpha ketoglutarate
Arginine alpha-ketoisocaproate
Arginine aspartate
arginine creatine
Arginine malate
Arginine nitrate
Arginine silicate
arnica
ashwagandha
astaxanthin
avocado
ba ji tian
banana
BCAA
bee products
beef
Beef liver
Beef Protein
beet
beta-alanine
beta-hydroxybutyrate
bicarbonate
Biopeptide
black galingale
black ginger
black gram
Black willow
blue cohosh
bovine
bovine liver
bovine protein
branched-chain amino acids
bromelain
brown rice protein
C-phycocyanin
caffeine
calcium
camphor oil
cardarine
Carnosine
casein
Cetylated Fatty Acids
cherry
chia seed
chickpea protein
Chinese mountain ant
chloride
chuchuhuasi
citrate malate
coca
Coconut Water
coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10)
colostrum
conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)
cordyceps
cramp bark
creatine
creatine monohydrate
Curcuma
Curcuminoid
Cyanotis arachnoides
Cyanotis vaga
Cyathula
d-alpha tocopherol
D-Ribose
date
deer velvet
devil's claw
dextrose
Dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO)
Dipeptide
Dipsacus
DL-Methionine
dong quai root
ecdysteroids
ecdysterone
egg
Egg protein
electrolytes blend (proprietary)
elk antler
emu oil
epicatechin
epistane
Erythrina
essential oil blend
Ethyl-Alpha-Guanido-Methyl-Ethanoate
eucommia
Eurycoma Longifolia
fatty acids
fibroblast growth factor
fish
fish protein
forskohlii root
Ginsenosides
glucose
Glutamine
Glycerol
Glycine
Glycocyamine
GMS-ribose
guanidinoacetic acid
guanidinopropionic acid (GPA )
guelder rose
Haematococcus pluvialis
hairy arnica
herbal blend (proprietary)
HMB hydroxymethylbutyrate
hydroxymethylbutyrate
icariin
Iporuru
iron
Isoleucine
isomaltulose
kale
ketosterones
L-alanine
L-alanyl-L-glutamine
L-arginine
l-carnitine
L-carnosine
L-citrulline
L-glutamine
L-glycine
l-isoleucine
L-leucine
L-ornithine
L-proline
L-taurine
L-threonine
L-valine
lactalbumin
Lavandin
Legume protein
Lentein
Lentil
leucine alpha-ketoglutarate
lipids
magnesium
malic acid
maral root
Marine protein
Marjoram
Maslinic acid
Menthol oil
Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)
Methylxanthine
Milk
Milk Protein
Mineral ascorbate
Mineral blend
NADH
nicotinamide riboside
Ornithine
ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate
Pea
Peppermint
Peptides
Phosphatidic Acid
Phosphocreatine
phosphorus
phytocannabinoids
Phytoecdysteroid
Plankton
polyphenols
potash
potassium
Propionyl-L-Carnitine
protein
proteolytic enzymes
Puerain
pyruvate
Qin Jiao
quinoa
Quinoa Protein
Rhaponticum
rhizome
ribose
rue
Safed musli
Salmon Oil
salt
Shilajit
Sida cordifolia
siler root
solomon's seal
Soy Protein
soybean
specialized pro-resolving mediators (SPMs)
spinach
spirulina
squawvine
suma
Taurine
Taxillus sutchuenensis
Terpenoids
Tongkat ali
trace minerals
Tribulus Terrestris
Trichopus zeylanicus
Turkesterone
turmeric
Tynanthus panurensis
ubiquinol
Urolithin A
Ursolic Acid
Vegetable Protein
Viburnum
vitamin B
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
Watermelon
wheat germ
Whey protein
white willow
Wintergreen
Withanolides
Wood betony
β-nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN)

Products containing L-arginine

Designs For Health Amino Acid Supreme™
Designs For Health Amino Acid Synergy
Pure Encapsulations Amino-NR
Pure Encapsulations Amino Replete
Metagenics ArginCor®
Metagenics Arginine Plus™
Metagenics BioPure Protein® Powder
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 10-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Berry
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Chai
Metagenics Clear Change 28-Day Detox Program with UltraClear RENEW Vanilla
Douglas Laboratories Cysto Renew ®
Douglas Laboratories Free Form Amino
Pure Encapsulations Growth Hormone Support
Vitabase HGH Complex
Klean Athlete Klean Isolate ™
Pure Encapsulations l-Arginine
Pure Encapsulations l-Arginine
Designs For Health L-Arginine
Douglas Laboratories L-Arginine 500 mg
Douglas Laboratories L-Arginine 700 mg
Thorne L-Arginine Plus Perfusia Plus
Thorne L-Arginine Sustained Release Perfusia-SR
Pure Encapsulations Nitric Oxide Support
Designs For Health NOx Synergy™
Metagenics Perfect Protein® Pea & Rice Chocolate Powder
Metagenics Perfect Protein Pea & Rice Vanilla Powder
Metagenics Perfect Protein Whey Chocolate
Metagenics Perfect Protein Whey Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control® Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Chocolate
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics Ultra Glucose Control Vanilla
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Berry
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Chai
Metagenics UltraClear RENEW Detox Powder Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish® Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Chocolate
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraGI Replenish Vanilla
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360°® Chocolate/Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Mango
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Orange
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Original Spice
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraInflamX Plus 360° Pineapple/Banana
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein® Dutch Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein French Vanilla
Metagenics UltraMeal Advanced Protein Plain
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360°® Pea/Rice Chocolate
Metagenics UltraMeal Cardio 360° Pea/Rice Vanilla