How Important Is L- Arginine For Muscle Gain?
There is a connection between L- Arginine and bodybuilding, over the past 10 years or so, L- Arginine has remained one of the most successful muscle building supplement ingredients out there.
It is the primary composite found in most pre-workout “nitric oxide supporters”, with the primary forms being l arginine AKG, L- Arginine HCl and regular L- Arginine.
The thought is that since L- Arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, and since nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator (meaning it widens the blood vessels), L- Arginine supplementation will promote blood flow to the working muscles for enhanced power, endurance, and recovery.
But beyond the hyped up marketing and anecdotal reports, what does the basic science say regarding L- Arginine supplementation? Are there any existing L- Arginine advantages for bodybuilders?
It makes logical sense, then, that L- Arginine supplementation might also enhance exercise performance.
The efficient flow of blood to working muscles during exercise is crucial to performance, so conceptually, a supplement that incites vasodilation should be able to boost the delivery of nutrients to muscles while buffering away waste products.
There is, in fact, some indication that this is the case, particularly in individuals who may have encountered narrowing of the veins and also arteries.
For instance, in the year 2002 study published in the Journal of the Indian College of Cardiology noticed that those suffering chronic, stable angina saw an improvement in exercise capacity and quality of life when they consumed an L- Arginine-rich medical food as an adjunct to traditional therapy.
In other words, the amino acid supplement made submaximal exercise feel more convenient and more sustainable.
Likewise, in 2010 an article published in the Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition found that a mixed L- Arginine and antioxidant supplement provided to elderly male cyclists developed the cyclists’ anaerobic threshold, making it feasible for them to work harder before experiencing the buildup of lactic acid in working muscles.
Bodybuilders use L- Arginine as a pre-workout supplement for enhanced energy, strength and muscle building.
Taking L- Arginine for bodybuilding and weightlifting can help the growth of muscles by delivering growth hormones.
It is used to support fat metabolism as well, working to produce lean well-toned muscles.
L- Arginine also increases resistance during athletic performances by increasing blood flow and reducing exhaustion through the production of creatine. The improved circulation lets more oxygen get to functioning muscles to boost performance and enhance muscle growth.
L- Arginine is an amino acid and can be sourced in the regular diet by consuming whole wheat, chickpeas, dairy, fish, lupins, nuts, oats, poultry, red meat, seeds and also soya.
This supplement is utilized to manage high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction and congestive heart failure. The body offers less L- Arginine as people age.
Using this supplement for injured muscles eases bodybuilders and weightlifters to heal faster after a heavy workout. It also helps decreases the healing time for bone injuries.
This supplement is used to support the immune system. L- Arginine supplements are available as a capsule, liquid, powder or tablet.
L- Arginine can support energy levels by boosting NO, or nitric oxide, in the body, according to “Everything You Need to NO.” Nitric oxide is essential to the endothelial system, regulating blood pressure by opening blood vessels.
In this way, supplementing with L- Arginine provides more blood flow to working muscles. This also means that more nutrients and oxygen are transported to fuel intense bouts of exercise.
L- Arginine will also help increase blood flow. This raises the number of nutrients that can be delivered to the muscles to help the healing of the muscle tissue. Arginine also helps the process of protein synthesis, which is when muscle tissue is repaired.
Muscle tissue requires to be repaired immediately and efficiently to grow back bigger and stronger for the next training session. L- arginine capsules can also support replacement by counteracting the catabolic effect and muscle breakdown associated with a long bout of intense exercise.
Creatine is a dietary supplement that’s well recognized for its ability to enhance muscle size, but it’s also efficient at decreasing fatigue and promoting efficient energy usage.
It works primarily by building a large store of creatine phosphate in the body, which provides ATP—a molecule that stores and gives energy to the body.
By increasing the use of creatine phosphate, the body’s cells can properly preserve glucose for later use, essentially staving off fatigue.
While creatine’s protection has been the subject of some controversy, for the most part, it’s considered safe for long-term use by those without pre-existing health ailments.