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Spice Up Your Love Life This Valentine's Day
With L-Arginine
By John Morgenthaler
It's the disorder no one wants to talk about,yet according to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, 43% of women and 31% of men suffer from sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction is broadly defined as the inability to fully enjoy sexual intercourse.
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Both men and women can benefit
from this natural amino acid. |
Based on dozens of studies, arginine (available in supplement form as L-Arginine), an essential amino acid and one of the building blocks of proteins in the body, has become known as a safe and effective prosexual nutrient for men and women.
Here's Why?
L-Arginine is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO) in the human body. In the 1990s, scientists discovered that not only is NO an essential compound that helps blood circulation, but it is important to normal sexual function in both
men and women. Without arginine in the diet, there would be no NO, and without NO men would not be able to have erections.
How L-Arginine Works
Insufficient blood flow is a major cause of incomplete erection in men. L-Arginine has been shown to improve blood flow to the genital area by dilating blood vessels and helping the penis to engorge to its full capacity, thus increasing the size, hardness and frequency of erections.
Nutritional expert, Dr. Jonathan Wright, explains the mechanism in men: "Molecules of NO are generated when an enzyme called NO synthase (NOS)—which is abundant in the nerve and muscle cells in and around the penis—strips away a nitrogen atom (N) from a passing molecule of the amino acid L-Arginine … and combines it with an atom of oxygen (O)."
In other words, in order to produce nitric oxide in the body, a nitrogen atom must combine with an oxygen molecule in the blood. The enzyme called nitric oxide synthase controls this reaction.
L-Arginine has a Similar Effect in Women
Higher blood flow makes clitoral and vaginal tissues more sensitive and responsive to sexual stimulation, and helps increase the possibility of reaching orgasm. Although there haven't been nearly as many studies done on arginine supplementation in women as in men, one study found that postmenopausal women who took a supplement including L-Arginine experienced heightened sexual response.
Another study involving 77 women of all ages found that after four weeks, 73.5% of the women who took a supplement including L-Arginine experienced greater sexual satisfaction, including heightened desire and clitoral sensation, frequency of intercourse and orgasm, and less vaginal dryness.
Stronger Libido … Greater Endurance
Both men and women report that L-Arginine seems to increase their libido or desire for sex, and some also report that L-Arginine gives them greater endurance. Reports also suggest that L-Arginine supplements can improve fertility in men who have low sperm counts or poor sperm motility (activity). One study on rats, however, concluded that elevated nitric oxide production resulting from arginine supplementation might inhibit fertility.
Scientific Studies
The powerful effect of L-Arginine was illustrated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in the British Journal of Urology International in which researchers evaluated the nitric oxide levels of 50 men with erectile dysfunction. The men were given either L-Arginine or a placebo for six weeks. Nine of the 29 men (31%) given L-Arginine reported a significant improvement in their sexual performance. These nine men had low nitric oxide levels at the start of the trial, but their levels doubled by the end of the study.
It is important to note, however, that erectile dysfunction can be caused by a variety of factors, including aging, diabetes and other endocrine disorders. L-Arginine may be effective only in those men whose erectile dysfunction is due to low levels of nitric oxide. In fact, in one study in which the participants suffered from impotence for a variety of reasons, L-Arginine was found to be effective in only 17% of the patients.
Animal Studies
Studies done on animals provide some evidence for effectiveness as well. In a laboratory study, two groups of rats were given free access to L-Arginine, which was dissolved in their drinking water. Both groups had greater serum and penile concentrations of arginine, and exhibited a significant increase in intra-penile pressure or "hardness."
Serum and penile tissue levels of L-Arginine in the treated rats were increased by 64-148% compared to control animals. The penile nitric oxide levels also increased nearly 100% in the L-Arginine treated groups compared to the control groups. The researchers concluded that these data support the use of dietary supplements for treatment of erectile dysfunction.
The positive benefits of L-Arginine go beyond sexual enhancement
This remarkable amino acid helps build muscle mass, enhance immune function, improve blood pressure, increase memory, and speed wound healing. Arginine-derived nitric oxide has also been found to play a supporting role in the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems and has been validated by hundreds of studies.
Please note: L-Arginine may exacerbate herpes symptoms. Do not use L-Arginine if you are herpes positive. Also, pregnant or lactating women should avoid L-Arginine, and people who take blood pressure medication should consult a physician before supplementing with L-Arginine.
L-Arginine is essential to several systems in the body. Among its many roles, L-Arginine:
• Is a precursor of nitric oxide (NO)
• Promotes circulation resulting in improved blood flow
• Stimulates the release of growth hormone
• Improves immune function
• Reduces healing time of injuries
• Plays a role in the formation of bone and tendons
• Increases muscle mass, while reducing body fat
• Supports male infertility, improving sperm production and mobility
• Reduces risk of blood clots and stroke
• Supports normal blood pressure
• Improves vascular function for patients with angina
• Helps recovery after heart attack
• Helps prevent and treat cardiovascular disease
Clearly, L-Arginine is an important amino acid to overall health and well being. The fact that it also supports healthy sexual function in both men and women is a wonderful bonus. If you would like to spice up your love life this Valentine's Day, consider giving L-Arginine a try.
References:
- Laumann et al. Sexual Dysfunction in the United States: Prevalence and Predictors. JAMA.October 6, 1999; 281: 537-544.
- Chen, J. et al. (1999). "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."/ British Journal of Urology International; 83(3): 269-73.
- Klotz T, Mathers MJ, Braun M, Bloch W, Engelmann U. Effectiveness of oral L-arginine in first-line treatment of erectile dysfunction in a controlled crossover study. Urol Int. 1999; 63(4): 220-3.
- Moody JA, Vernet D, Laidlaw S, Rajfer J, Gonzalez-Cadavid NF. Effects of long-term oral administration of L-arginine on the rat erectile response. J Urol. 1997 Sep; 158(3 Pt 1): 942-7.
- Amrani M, Gray CC, Smolenski RT, Goodwin AT, London A, Yacoub MH.The effect of L-arginine on myocardial recovery after cardioplegic arrest and ischemia under moderate and deep hypothermia. Circulation. 1997 Nov 4; 96(9 Suppl): II-274-9.
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