Food Sources And Health Benefits Of L-Arginine

21 April 2016
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L-arginine is an amino acid. Amino acids are what make up protein. The information below will tell you what the health benefits of L-arginine are, as well as what types of food are rich in this particular amino acid.

Health Benefits of L-arginine

The main benefits associated with L-arginine are heart related. It has been found to have a positive effect on clogged arteries. This is one reason why so many people with heart disease who are seeking out alternative treatments take supplemental L-arginine.

There is also some speculation about L-arginine's ability to lower blood pressure in hypertensive people. The idea behind this is that L-arginine converts in the body to nitric oxide, which is known to lower blood pressure.

Also, L-arginine is used by bodybuilders and other athletes who participate in high impact sports. The belief is that L-arginine helps speed up the recovery process. This is important for athletes and bodybuilders who breakdown their muscles through strenuous workouts and need them to heal fast.

Food Sources of L-arginine

Meat Sources

Beef and pork are two of the best sources of L-arginine. They are both incredibly rich, with each containing over 2000 mg per serving.

Seafood

Crab, lobster, and tuna all have L-arginine. Crab is the richest source, with over 3000 mg per serving.

Vegetables

Spinach and collard greens are both a great source of L-arginine for vegans. Cooked spinach contains around 2800 mg of L-arginine, while cooked mustard greens contain 2200 mg.

Nuts and Seeds

Pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds are both rich in L-arginine. Walnuts and almonds are the two nuts richest in L-arginine.

Considerations For Vegans and Vegetarians

As you can see from the list above, vegetarians and vegans who do not carefully structure their meal plans can become deficient in L-arginine. Beans and legumes tend not to have much L-arginine. Nuts such as walnuts and almonds, as well as leafy green vegetables such as spinach and collard greens, therefore, are essential to the diet. A great way to boost the L-arginine content in their diet would be to have a spinach salad with walnuts and roasted pumpkin seeds.

Supplemental L-arginine

For people who are looking to get therapeutic amounts of L-arginine in order to treat heart problems, then their best course of action is to take supplemental amino acids. You can get capsules if you dislike hard pills. These are easy to swallow, and provide you with all of the L-arginine you need. To find out more, speak with a business like Damage I.T.G.