The L-form of arginine is one of the 20 most common natural amino acids. Arginine is a semiessential amino acid, depending on the developmental stage and health status of the individual. Infants are unable to meet their requirements and arginine is nutritionally essential for them. Most of the time this conditionally nonessential amino acid can be manufactured by the human body, and does not need to be obtained directly through the diet. The biosynthetic pathway however does not produce sufficient arginine, and some must still be consumed through diet. You can find it in a wide variety of foods (seafood, dairy products, poultry, beef, pork, oatmeal, wheat germ, some nuts and seeds). Arginine plays an important role in cell division, the healing of wounds, the release of hormones, immune function, removing ammonia from the body. It reduces adipose tissue body fat and the risk of heart disease. Arginine stimulates the release of growth hormone and increases muscle mass. It is also necessary for the synthesis of creatine. The benefits are many - synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), improved insulin sensitivity, decreased blood pressure, increased blood circulation throughout the body (including the sex organs), improved sperm production and reproductive ability.
