To enhance your bodybuilding journey, incorporating L-arginine into your routine can be beneficial. This amino acid has many advantages for physical transformation, helping to increase muscle mass, improve endurance, and speed up recovery times. By stimulating the production of nitric oxide, L-arginine can improve blood flow and nutrient delivery to the muscles, promoting growth and recovery. If you want to achieve your gym goals and maximize your gains, read on to learn more about the benefits of L-arginine in bodybuilding.
L-arginine is one of about 20 amino acids that occur naturally in the human body. These compounds combine to form the body’s vital proteins, the very essence of life itself. L-arginine in particular is also a precursor in the biosynthesis of nitric oxide, a signaling molecule that plays a part in the healthy functioning of the circulatory and immune systems.
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While the body usually produces sufficient quantities of L-arginine on its own, this compound can also be found in certain foods, and dietary supplementation with products containing L-arginine can be beneficial in certain cases. L-arginine may be particularly beneficial when it comes to bodybuilding. Here are some ways in which L-arginine may be useful to bodybuilders, along with some recommendations of potential sources for supplementary L-arginine.
The Surprising Benefits of L-Arginine in Bodybuilding: Unlocking the Potential is an original (OptimalHealthNews) article.
Benefits of L-arginine in bodybuilding:
Muscle growth
L-arginine is an important component in muscle growth. This is in part because L-arginine, along with the other major amino acids, is one of the building blocks of protein. Muscles and joints are all primarily made of proteins like myofibrils and collagen.
Therefore, supplementation with L-arginine can contribute to maintaining the health of and speeding the growth of muscles. In one 2018 study, L-arginine supplementation was found to promote muscle mass development and strength. The benefits of L-arginine in bodybuilding go beyond mere theory; they’re proven in many cases to improve muscular health.
Benefits of L-arginine in bodybuilding:
Reduced muscle fatigue
Muscle fatigue is a necessary evil for bodybuilding. Muscles only grow when their capacity is challenged, and that often leads to exhaustion and pain. However, there are a handful of drug-free, healthy ways to decrease muscle fatigue after a difficult workout, and one of them is L-arginine.
Two compounds that are both indicators and causes of muscular fatigue are plasma lactate and ammonia. L-arginine can reduce the exercise-induced increase in both of these compounds, helping to stave off muscle fatigue so you can continue working out at peak performance for longer periods of time.
Benefits of L-arginine for bodybuilding:
Better blood flow and oxygen distribution
During exercise, muscles consume oxygen for energy. That’s why you breathe more rapidly during a challenging workout – your body is compensating for the increased rate of oxygen consumption by increasing your oxygen intake. Like many other compounds necessary for biological processes (including muscle contraction), oxygen is distributed throughout the body via the circulatory system. L-arginine supplementation can increase the flow of blood – not just throughout the entire body, but directly to muscles.
That’s due in part to its support of the natural biosynthesis of nitric oxide, a compound that regulates blood flow. Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule that sends messages to the body to dilate blood vessels for easier flow. This can ensure that your muscles are supplied with sufficient quantities of oxygen throughout a workout, improving performance, reducing fatigue, and supporting muscular health and growth.
Benefits of L-arginine for bodybuilding:
Ideal sources
L-arginine occurs naturally in your body, but it’s also present in many different kinds of food. This includes the primary sources of dietary protein: meat, fish, and poultry. Vegan sources of protein like beans, whole grains, and soy also often contain L-arginine. Some dairy products, like milk and cheese, may also provide some L-arginine.
However, these foods all contain relatively small amounts of L-arginine; while this can help boost the body’s natural L-arginine levels, it may not be enough on its own. Dietary supplements often also contain L-arginine, but thanks to the slow absorption and relatively low bioavailability of most orally-ingested dietary supplements, these may take a long time to have an effect.
The supplement line sold under the brand name Frog Fuel is an example of an ideal source of L-arginine. While primarily a collagen product, aside from just L-arginine, Frog Fuel contains the the essential amino acids that collagen lacks as an incomplete protein. In addition, Frog Fuel’s collagen and amino acids absorb into the body remarkably quickly. They may take effect in as little as 15 minutes.
Frog Fuel uses all high-quality, reliably sourced ingredients, including medical-grade collagen from grass-fed cows. According to co-founder and CEO Alexander Kunz, “We wanted to come to market with legitimate claims, everything from the absorption aspect to the recovery aspect. Every claim we make is backed by a proven study.” It’s not only a great source of pre-workout protein but also an indispensable tool for the bodybuilder.
Benefits of L-arginine in bodybuilding:
An essential ally
L-arginine has many benefits to offer bodybuilders. It’s essential in the creation of new muscle, and can increase the amount of time you’re able to work out without experiencing muscle fatigue. It can also increase blood flow to muscles and the distribution of oxygen throughout the body, boosting performance and improving muscular health through the production of nitric oxide.
While there’s plenty of it produced naturally in most people’s bodies, consuming additional L-arginine through food or through a dietary supplement can provide additional benefits. Whether consumed consciously or produced naturally, L-arginine is a compound that no bodybuilder can do without.
Additional links for further reference:
NIH National Library of Medicine: Dietary L-arginine supplementation increases muscle gain and reduces body fat mass in growing-finishing pigs
NIH National Library of Medicine: Therapeutic Benefits of l-Arginine: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses
Bodybuilding.com: Clayton’s Health Facts: L-Arginine
Important Note: The information contained in this article is for general informational purposes only, and should not be construed as health or medical advice, nor is it intended to diagnose, prevent, treat, or cure any disease or health condition. Before embarking on any diet, fitness regimen, or program of nutritional supplementation, it is advisable to consult your healthcare professional in order to determine its safety and probable efficacy in terms of your individual state of health.
Regarding Nutritional Supplements Or Other Non-Prescription Health Products: If any nutritional supplements or other non-prescription health products are mentioned in the foregoing article, any claims or statements made about them have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and such nutritional supplements or other health products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
