Nitric Oxide, L-Arginine Benefits and Side Effects
Not that long ago, nitric oxide was known mainly as an air pollutant that came from car engines.
About 20 years ago, scientists discovered that it’s a critical signaling chemical in blood vessels that regulate blood flow. Healthy nitric oxide production is critical for any process in the body requiring blood flow.
Nitric oxide promotes wound healing following cuts, abrasions and injuries to muscles, tendons and ligaments. It also prevents atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), erectile dysfunction and diabetes.
So-called nitric oxide boosters marketed to fitness enthusiasts are supposed to increase muscle blood flow and promote muscle hypertrophy. L-arginine, used to produce nitric oxide synthase (an enzyme involved in making nitric oxide), is the most important ingredient in these supplements.
A review of literature by German scientists concluded that supplementing L-arginine improved the function of the endothelium – the cells lining the blood vessels that secrete nitric oxide. Scientists cite several studies showing improved blood vessel function in people with heart and blood vessel disease.
But the question that many people are asking is simply this: Do nitric oxide boosters help your weight training? The answer is too ironic – and it is “no” – which is also an abbreviation for “nitric oxide” (NO).
There aren’t any well-controlled studies that have shown that L-arginine or NO-boosting products increase muscle mass. [sources: European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, The Journal of the American Medical Association, FitnessRX]
Possibly related
- Nitric Oxide Supplements
- Kim Kardashian Muscle and Fitness Hers
- Policosanol: Side Effects and Cholesterol
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07-18-07 at 10:15 pm
Body Builders don’t use it to gain muscle mass… Well directly anyway. They use it to increase blood flow by dilating the blood vessels. This helps the body work at its best giving Body Builders the extra edge they need to push themselves a little further.
01-23-08 at 8:20 pm
Jon is right, I write this response from experience. I’m a fiftyone year old man with long term circulation problems. I’ve been taking L-Arginine in the AKG formula for several months now. Nitric Oxide, L-Arginine will relax the blood vessels which will increase the blood flow to muscles, organs, legs, brain etc. Greater oxgenated blood flow increases workout value. To really increase muscle mass, supplement L-Arginine intake with a Whey Protein product which also has arginine as an amino acid ingedient. You will be surprised at the speed of muscle production. Your health will improve as a by product. This combinatin works, I’m a loyal witness. The only side effects I’ve noticed is more energy and a better quality of life. I am not a doctor or health care provider, just a regular guy.
04-10-09 at 7:41 pm
n.o. is supposed to open the vessels, resulting in increased nutrient delvery to the muscles. from using this, i believe it to be true; there are known side efffects of arginine overdose: cramping, diarrhea, weakness. if the product is good, it will have a high arginine to nitric oxide conversion rate. symptoms of excessive nitric oxide are extremely low blood pressure, resulting in sleepyness, headaches, neckaches( blood vessels close to keep the brain from being overwhelmed by blood) and death (people have dies in their sleep from deathly low blood pressure) i belive the product have virtue in so far as we watch for these signs and thereby know when to back off alittle. i have used it and gotten the pump (at 8 grams a day) i found the pump and muscle size increases to have vanished in a few days off (pump possibly due to water holding) nevertheless, i noticed enhanced recovery time.
06-08-09 at 12:10 pm
If this doesnt work to increase muscle mass can anyone tell me of an effective supplement that will mainly increaase muscle mass and help gain weight
06-08-09 at 12:50 pm
There are no legal supplements that can help you increase muscle size and gain weight. The best thing you can do to accomplish this goal is to eat a balanced diet that provides your body with enough calories to grow. Obviously, you need to lift weights to stimulate your muscles, so you need to follow a good exercise program that focuses on compound movements – i.e., barbell bench presses, squats, etc. Do not waste your time on isolation exercises that target small muscle groups. Rest is also very important. Make sure that you give your body plenty of rest to recover and rebuild itself after each exercise session.