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Arginine Improves Blood Flow
Many of the benefits derived from sufficient arginine intake stem from its ability to generate nitric oxide in the appropriate tissues, aided by an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide (NO) is a very small molecule, and it is highly mobile in moving within and between cells. After its synthesis from arginine, NO acts as a signaling molecule that induces a variety of responses in the body. One of the best-characterized functions of NO is to induce smooth muscle cells to relax.
Smooth muscle cells are found in blood vessels throughout the body (excluding the heart). When these cells relax in response to nitric oxide, the blood vessels expand (a process called vasodilation), blood pressure drops, and blood flow is improved. More blood is delivered to the tissues, which are thus better nourished with oxygen, glucose, and whatever else they may need. Collectively, the physical aspects of blood flow are called hemodynamics, and it could be expected that improved hemodynamics would lead to improved exercise capacity. Let us see about that.
Arginine Reduces Pulmonary Blood Pressure
Studies have demonstrated that oral supplementation with arginine offers substantial improvements in hemodynamics in patients with congestive heart failure (a decline in the heart’s ability to pump blood). Recently, the first study to assess the benefits of oral arginine in patients with pulmonary hypertension was performed.1 Pulmonary hypertension is high blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs.* This is a serious disease resulting from inadequate oxygen exchange between the lungs and the blood. It generally results in low oxygen levels in the blood.
* The body has two circulatory systems – one for the entire body except the lungs, and one for the lungs. In the latter (the pulmonary system), blood flows from the heart to the lungs to be oxygenated, and then back to the heart to be pumped throughout the rest of the body.
Diseases such as chronic bronchitis, asthma, and emphysema may impede the flow of air in and out of the lungs (as can obesity), thus making pulmonary hypertension worse over time.
These diseases are greatly aggravated, or caused in the first place, by smoking, which is the equivalent of voluntary self-administration of poison.
Supplementation with arginine offers substantial improvements in blood flow, and thus tissue oxygenation, in patients with congestive heart failure.
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