Arginine also known as L-Arginine is a positively charged amino acid, which is healthy for the body. One of the main arginine benefits is that it is involved in building muscle tissue, but this amino acid has many other functions. Generally the body can synthesize enough arginine by itself. There are also many arginine foods.
Arginine functions in the body are: elimination of the toxic ammonia from protein degradation, wound healing, hormone release, a precursor for the synthesis of NO, reduction in blood pressure. Arginine is essential for the synthesis of creatine, citrulline, glutamate; acts as a vasodilator (preventing heart attack, stroke, atherosclerosis, hypertension).
Which are arginine foods?
A list of arginine foods
Some of the foods high in arginine are:
- Fish and seafood such as salmon, tuna, lobster, haddock, crabs are one of the highest arginine foods.
- Eggs yolks are a good source of arginine too.
- Meat are high protein foods but they are also contains arginine. Beef, pork, chicken, puishko are great examples.
- Arginine vegetables: spinach, onion, soybean, peppers, garlic, mushroom, leeks
- Arginine fruits: avacado, kiwi, watermelon, strawberry
- Other foods high in arginine are lentils, chocolate, nuts, milk, cheese, seeds, oats
Arginine benefits and functions
Arginine have namy benefits and functions in our body.
Some of the most important arginine benefits are:
- Stimulates the release of growth hormone and prolactin from pituitary. One of the best arginine functions.
- Neutralize the ammonia that is formed upon the degradation of the amino acids
- Neutralizes free radicals – one of the best arginine benefits
- Dilation of blood vessels (including in the area of the genitals)
- The body uses arginine to form urea
- Helps to lower blood pressure
- Assists the regulation of the level of salts in the body
- Arginine improves immunity, has a stimulating effect on the thymus
The amount of arginine in foods is important for people who suffer from Herpes. One of the main rules in herpes diet, is to reduce the amount of arginie and increase the amount of lysine through foods high in lysine.
Attention: Before following any diet, consult your doctor.
