When to take L-arginine

The Time For Arginine

Sometimes, too much of a good thing just ends up being wasted.

In the e-Alert “Five Stars” (8/26/03), I told you about the amino acid supplement arginine (also called L-arginine) that’s known to play a role in a number of beneficial functions, including blood vessel dilation, reduction of inflammation, repair of skin and connective tissue, and thymus gland regulation.

And HSI member named Souheil sent this e-mail to further explore a comment made by HSI Panelist Allan Spreen, M.D.:

“I started taking L-Arginine recently and Dr. Spreen’s tip in your recent ‘Five Stars’ e-Alert on taking amino acid supplements attracted my attention specifically where he said that taking them with other proteins would be wasting money. I am wondering whether by this he means that L-arginine should not be taken with a meal containing proteins (animal or otherwise) and what are his recommendations for fully benefiting from this supplement.”

Souheil has got the right idea about mixing arginine with protein meals. Here’s a more specific response to her question from Dr. Spreen:

“In my opinion it is correct that arginine (or ornithine, or l-tryptophan, or l-carnitine, or whatever, if it’s an amino compound) should not be taken with a protein meal. There are a limited number of receptors for protein substances (protein foods are composed of amino acids), so the supplement you paid good money for will be ‘diluted’ by the presence of other proteinaceous substances in the digestive neighborhood. That is not true of most other supplements, which should be taken with food.

“For serious users I go with 1000 milligrams twice/day to three times/day between meals, and I’ve found that most of the amino supplements work better with some degree of exercise.”

L-arginine’s dietary sources include dairy products, meat, poultry and fish, as well as nuts, rice, whole-wheat, soy and raisins. But if you also take an arginine supplement, make it a between-meal supplementalong with 50 pushups!

To Your Good Health,

Jenny Thompson
Health Sciences Institute