L-arginine is a type of amino acid and is important for protein synthesis.

Importance

L-arginine is important to produce nitric oxide, an organic molecule needed by immune system for various biological functions and processes such as communication between cells, blood flow regulation and DNA functions.

Apart from nitric oxide production, it is a precursor for the formation of other proteins and amino acids such as glutamate, creatine and proline. These molecules are essentially required by body’s immune system.

Production in Body

Body forms L-arginine in two different ways. By synthesising L-citrulline (an amino acid) via breaking down of proteins or by foods such as meat, dairy, poultry, nuts, soy and fish.

As Dietary Supplements

It is also available as dietary supplement such as capsules, liquid, powder and tablets.

L-arginine Deficiency

Due to its important role in various bodily process, its deficiency leads to abnormal functioning of organs and cell formation resulting in many chronic health conditions.