What does it do?
Ornithine, an amino acid, is manufactured by the body when another amino
acid, arginine, is
metabolized during the production of urea (a constituent of urine). Animal research has
suggested that ornithine, along with arginine, may promote muscle-building activity in the
body by increasing levels of anabolic (growth-promoting) hormones such as insulin and
growth hormone. However, most human research does not support these claims at reasonable
intake levels.1 2 3 One study that did demonstrate
increased growth hormone with oral ornithine used very high amounts (an average of 13
grams/day) and reported many gastrointestinal side effects.4 One controlled
study reported greater increases in lean body mass and strength after five weeks of
intensive strength training in athletes taking 1 gram per day each of arginine and ornithine
compared to a group doing the exercise but taking placebo.5 These findings
require independent confirmation.
| Where is it
found? As with amino acids in general, ornithine is predominantly found in
meat, fish, dairy, and eggs. Western diets typically provide 5 grams per day. The body
also produces ornithine. Ornithine has been used in connection with the following condition
(refer to the individual health concern for complete information):
|
 |
Product Recommendations |
- Arginnine & Ornithine
- 100 Cap.
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|
- Each capsule contains 750 mg.
Arginine/Ornithine helps stimulates the release of growth hormone, which is necessary for
the proper functioning of burning fat and putting on muscle. L-Ornithine is twice as
potent as L-Arginine.
|
- Universal Nutrition
- GHStack
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2 teaspoons provides: Somatopro A Complex.Ornithine 3000 mg, Arginine 1200
mg |
|
Who is likely to be
deficient? Since ornithine
is produced by the body, a deficiency of this
nonessential amino acid is unlikely, though depletion can occur during growth or
pregnancy, and after severe trauma or malnutrition.6
| How much is
usually taken? Most people would not benefit from ornithine supplementation. In
human research involving ornithine, several grams are typically used per day, sometimes
combined with arginine. |
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|
Are there any side effects
or interactions? No side effects have been reported with the use of ornithine,
except for gastrointestinal distress with intakes over 10 grams per day.
The presence of arginine is needed to produce
ornithine in the body, so higher levels of this amino acid should increase ornithine
production.
At the time of writing, there were no well-known
drug interactions with ornithine.
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References:
1. Bucci LR, Hickson JF, Wolinsky I, et al. Ornithine
supplementation and insulin release in bodybuilders. Int J Sport Nutr
1992;2:287–91.
2. Fogelholm GM, Naveri HK, Kiilavuori KT, et al. Low-dose amino acid supplementation: no
effects on serum human growth hormone and insulin in male weightlifters. Int J Sport
Nutr 1993;3:290–97.
3. Lambert MI, Hefer JA, Millar RP, et al. Failure of commercial oral amino acid
supplements to increase serum growth hormone concentrations in male body-builders. Int
J Sport Nutr 1993;3:298–305.
4. Bucci L, Hickson JF et al. Ornithine ingestion and growth hormone release in
bodybuilders. Nutr Res 1990;10:239–45.
5. Elam RP, Hardin DH, Sutton RA, et al. Effects of arginine and ornithine on strength,
lean body mass and urinary hydroxyproline in adult males. J Sports Med Phys Fitness
1989;29:52–56.
6. Zieve L. Conditional deficiencies of ornithine or arginine. J Am Coll Nutr 1986;5:167–76.
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