Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - L-Arginine

Arginine is a semi-essential amino acid that the body cannot make naturally. It is found in nuts, seeds, chocolate and raisins.

Arginine is used by the body in the execution of many important physiological processes including hormone secretion, output of growth hormone, removal of toxins from the body and enhancement of the immune system. It is also a precursor of nitric oxide which vasodiolates vessels in the body. For this reason arginine is often used to treat conditions such as angina, high blood pressure, cardiac disease, sexual dysfunction and infertility. Recent research has also highlighted arginine's ability to scavenge free radicals, remove bad cholesterol, enhance fat metabolism and regulate salt levels.

There are several reasons why arginine appeals to bodybuilders:

1. It prevents the retention of water under the skin thus minimizing bloating and helping to create a ripped appearance.

2. It helps the body to retain nitrogen that is essential to the muscle building process.

3. Its vasodilating abilities support muscle growth.

4. It enhances protein synthesis.

5. It helps to boost the immune system allowing harder training and minimizing the minor illnesses that come from overtraining.

With any amino acid supplement overdosing can lead to weakness and nausea so care should be taken in applying small doses and increasing them gradually until an optimum level is reached. Bear in mind that many protein powders and other supplements are fortified with amino acids so check the labels carefully. The manufacturer's instructions should be followed in all instances.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

---

Pulling The Roots Of Disease

"Anybody who tells you that disease has only one cause,... Read More

Popular Applications of Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic acid has received much press lately as a natural... Read More

Health Benefits of CoQ10 - A Powerful, Important Heart Compound

Coenzyme Q10 (also known as ubiquinone, but most widely referred... Read More

Should You Take Gingko Biloba to Improve Your Brain Power?

Have you heard of the herbal supplement with the very... Read More

Ganoderma Herbal Supplements ? Natures Gift to Humanity

Use of herbs and herbal therapies has been an integral... Read More

A Guide to Herbal Sleep Aids

Difficulty sleeping can affect many aspects of life. People who... Read More

Store Bought Vitamins - Synthetic?

Did you know that most store bought vitamins and minerals... Read More

Nutritional Supplement - The Good Food, Bad Food Myth

Will common sense ever prevail? We've all seen stories on... Read More

The Immune-Boosting Power of Colostrum

Bovine Colostrum is the form of "milk" taken from dairy... Read More

How Taking an HGH Supplement Changed My Life

I finally bought the stuff. I couldn't resist anymore. After... Read More

Calcium and Women: For More Than Just Bones

For women, calcium is one of the most important nutrients... Read More

Fat Loss Supplement

Fat Loss Supplement ? what is it?What is a fat... Read More

Natural Human Growth Hormone: Hope or Hoax?

You may feel 30, but your body keeps reminding you... Read More

Herbal Nutrition Supplements: The 5Ws

Herbal nutrition supplements are everywhere these days. So should you... Read More

Finally - The Truth About Calcium Supplements

Undoubtedly calcium has become a hot topic of controversy. We... Read More

Products and Advancements in the Anti-Aging Marketplace

HGH is produced naturally, in everyone, by the pituitary gland.... Read More

The Bodys Own Production of Nitric Oxide Can Help Prevent Heart Attack & Stroke

Nitric Oxide, a gas that occurs naturally in the body,... Read More

Using Weight Loss Supplements To Reach Your Weight Loss Goals

Supplement is a word defined by Webster as such: Something... Read More

GlutImmune: Powder for Immunity and Digestion

GlutImmune? is a very convenient high absorption source of glutamine.... Read More

Nutritional Supplements - How To Choose A High Quality Product

Looking for quality nutritional supplements can seem quite overwhelming at... Read More

Colostrum May Help Prevent Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

A 2003 study by the Health Sciences Department of the... Read More

Know Your Bodybuilding Supplement - HMB

HMB stands for beta-hydroxy beta-methylbutyrate. It is a metabolite of... Read More

Puranol SL - New Weight Loss Product Extraordinaire - Maybe

Before you read the rest of this article I want... Read More

Garlic Can Kill Superbug - A Health Supplement

The Superbug MRSA which is becoming more common in Hospitals,... Read More

Vitamins for the Recovering Alcoholic

I have frequently heard alcoholics who are in early recovery... Read More

Balancing Your Hormones Naturally -- What To Do First

One of the questions that I frequently get asked is... Read More

L-Carnitine For Health & Muscle Growth: What You Need To Know About L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is a nutritional supplement that has been touted by... Read More

How Does Whey Protein Affect My Body?

Whey protein is available in supplement form and whey protein... Read More

Using Antioxidants in Your Weight Loss Program

If you're smart, you should not only be focused on... Read More

Vitamin Supplements and Your Child

In a perfect world, your children would eat a balanced... Read More

What is HGH?

Hormones are chemical messengers made up of amino acids and... Read More

Amino Acid Usage ? How You Can Benefit

Over the years, amino acid usage has become more and... Read More

3 Steps to Identify Supplements that Lack Scientific Evidence

You read about a supplement that allegedly "Boosts your mood... Read More