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- Arginine for Better SEX
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One of the most popular new drugs in recent years, Viagra targets sexual dysfunction, though the FDA currently approves its use only for men. (Physicians are free to prescribe it "off-label" for women.) Although Viagra does reduce erectile problems, its adverse side effects include migraines, blurred vision, sinus congestion, and even a potentially fatal sudden drop in blood pressure. Viagra's usefulness for women is under study, with only a few (mostly conflicting) trials being done so far. Unfortunately, compared to men, women may be even more susceptible to Viagra's side effects. Clearly, safe and effective alternatives to drugs like Viagra would benefit many people. The amino acid L-arginine may be just what the natural doctor ordered.
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A more limited number of studies have looked directly at the effects of L-arginine on human sexual response. For example, a small 1994 study in which men took 2.8 grams of arginine every day for two weeks showed a significant improvement in erectile function. Another study found that almost three-quarters of 178 men with low sperm counts had significantly higher counts after taking 4 grams of arginine daily for at least three months. Most recently, a study published in 1999 followed 50 men with erectile dysfunction for six weeks. Among those who took a high (5 grams) daily dose of arginine, 31 percent reported significant subjective improvements in sexual function, compared to only 12 percent of those taking a placebo. Human studies on arginine for women seem to be lacking at this point.
As you have read, arginine helps
to improve sexual functions, improve blood cholesterol, and control blood pressure. L-arginine
is also an important amino acid found in collagen protein. It stimulates, the release of
growth hormone, which is necessary for the proper functioning of the immune system. Growth
hormone can cause the body to burn up fat and put on muscle. L-arginine
has been found to be excellent in promoting wound healing and bone repair.
L-arginine is naturally converted in the body to L-ornithine by an enzyme called arginase,
making L-ornithine is twice as potent as L-arginine. L-arginine
has and will always be known as the Anti-Aging amino acid by Durk Pearson in his book Life
Extension. In his book (which was popular in the early 80s), Durk states "Most people
realize that teenagers can eat a great deal of food and not become obese, even if
inactive. This is because of the growth hormone levels at their age. By taking L-arginine
and/or L-ornithine, an individual may be able to resemble the growth hormone levels of a
young adult or teenager. |
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References Chen, J., et al., "Effect of oral administration of high-dose nitric oxide donor L-arginine in men with organic erectile dysfunction: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study," BJU Int, 83(3):269-73 1999 Feb Laumann, E.O., et al., "Sexual dysfunction in the United States: prevalence and predictors, JAMA, 281(6):537-44 1999 Feb 10 Moody, J.A., et al., "Effects of long-term oral administration of L-arginine on the rat erectile response," J Urol, 158(3 Pt 1):942-7 1997 Sep Propper, C.R., and T.B. Dixon, "Differential effects of arginine vasotocin and gonadotropin-releasing hormone on sexual behaviors in an anuran amphibian," Horm Behav, 32(2):99-104 1997 Oct Simonsen, U., et al., "Nitric oxide is involved in the inhibitory neurotransmission and endothelium-dependent relaxations of human small penile arteries," Clin Sci (Colch), 92(3):269-75 1997 Mar Yildiram, S., et al., "The effects of long-term oral administration of L-arginine on the erectile response of rabbits with alloxan-induced diabetes," BJU Int, 83(6):679-85 1999 Apr Zorgniotti, A.W., and E.F. Lizza, "Effect of large doses of the nitric oxide precursor, L-arginine, on erectile dysfunction," Int J Impot Res, Mar 1994, 6(1):33-5; discussion 36
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