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Does L-arginine increase testosterone?

If you want to support healthy testosterone levels, L-arginine supplementation might help you "stay in the game." Animal studies reveal that arginine can help promote healthy testosterone levels. More specifically, it can promote secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), which the testes use to produce testosterone.

lifeextension.com - 10 L-Arginine Benefits: How to Supplement - Life Extension

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Why should athletes have all the fun? L-arginine is a popular supplement among the weightlifting crowd, but did you know that this amino acid benefits everything from heart and nervous health to male sexual performance? That's because one of L-arginine's key benefits is that it produces nitric oxide, a molecule that increases blood circulation, helping to deliver nutrients and oxygen to every part of your body more effectively. Let's talk all about what arginine is, how to get more of it, and how you might benefit from L-arginine supplements.

What is L-arginine?

L-arginine is an amino acid, and your body uses it to make protein—just like l-glutamine and L-tyrosine. It's the most prominent and active form of arginine in your system. In healthy adults, L-arginine is a nonessential amino acid, which means that your body is able to produce some of it on its own. Conversely, your body cannot produce essential amino acids, so you must get them elsewhere, from supplementation, diet, or a combination of the two. And with semi-essential amino acids, you want to get as much from your diet as possible, so that your body can avoid using other amino acids to synthesize it.

L-arginine and nitric oxide

In addition to building protein, L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, which your body needs to maintain elasticity in the arteries and blood vessels. Having enough nitric oxide is important for healthy blood flow and supporting already-healthy blood pressure, for normal sexual function in men, and exercise performance.

L-arginine: 10 health benefits

What is L-arginine good for? Because of its role in protein and nitric oxide production, it offers a number of potential benefits, without much documentation of any side effects. Let's dive in!

1. Bodybuilding

Looking for a boost for your next sweat sesh? You might find arginine helpful. Research suggests that arginine supplementation can support your aerobic and anaerobic capacity. This is because arginine produces nitric oxide, which relaxes your blood vessels and thus encourages healthy blood flow. Ultimately, with L-arginine supplementation, you might be able to train harder and longer during moderate-intensity exercise.

Psst! If you're an athlete, you might also find taurine beneficial.

2. Heart health

3. Already-healthy blood pressure

No "pressure" or anything, but are you doing everything you can to keep your already-healthy BP within an optimal range? If you have already-healthy blood pressure, an L-arginine supplement can help you maintain it and continue to promote healthy endothelial function and vascular tone. Preclinical studies suggest that arginine supplementation can help especially if you're sensitive to salt. This is why L-arginine is a common supplement for supporting already-healthy blood pressure.

4. Testosterone: does L-arginine support testosterone levels?

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5. Sexual health: does L-arginine support libido?

Testosterone is a key hormone for men, and levels tend to dip with age—affecting everything from muscle strength to sexual response. If you want to support healthy testosterone levels , L-arginine supplementation might help you "stay in the game." Animal studies reveal that arginine can help promote healthy testosterone levels. More specifically, it can promote secretion of luteinizing hormone (LH), which the testes use to produce testosterone. Looking for a boost in the bedroom? One meta-analysis of 47 clinical trials found that arginine was one of the few ingredients to promote healthy sexual function. L-arginine supplementation can be a safe and effective way to boost your libido. Combining L-arginine with French maritime bark extract helps promote male blood flow, necessary for a healthy sexual response.

6. Already-healthy blood sugar levels

Sweet news: clinical studies have found that arginine can support healthy glucose metabolism—meaning how your body is able to use sugar (a source of fuel). L-arginine supplementation also can help you maintain a healthy weight.

7. Kidney function

You might not think much about your kidneys...but you should! This organ is important, and the right nutrition can make a difference. One preclinical study found that L-arginine supplementation can support kidney function and can even support a healthy inflammatory response.

8. Immune benefits

Keep those natural defenses in fighting condition! Sufficient levels of arginine in your body can support a healthy immune system, by keeping your immune cells healthy and fully functioning. This means that ultimately, your body will be better able to fight off immune challenges.

9. Antioxidant

Antioxidants protect your cells from stress due to free radicals, and are considered crucial to any anti-aging regimen. Preclinical data suggest that arginine supplementation can stimulate the production of glutathione, which is one of your body's primary antioxidants (and is also available as a supplement). It can also encourage the expression of genes that are related to antioxidant defense.

10. Nervous system health

How you think and behave has a lot to do with a protein called vasopressin, which includes arginine in its makeup. Vasopressin acts as a neurotransmitter in your brain, and it helps to support your cognition and behavior. In addition to promoting healthy cognitive function, L-arginine can also help protect the brain against oxidative stress.

lifeextension.com - 10 L-Arginine Benefits: How to Supplement - Life Extension

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