Arginine (L-arginine)

Mayo Clinic Health Manager

Get free personalized health guidance for you and your family.

Get Started

Free

E-Newsletter

Subscribe to receive the latest updates on health topics. About our newsletters

  • Housecall
  • Alzheimer's caregiving
  • Living with cancer

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Dietary Sources of Arginine

Walnuts, filberts (hazelnuts), pecans, Brazil nuts, sesame and sunflower seeds, brown rice, raisins, coconut, gelatin, buckwheat, almonds, barley, cashews, cereals, chicken, chocolate, corn, dairy products, meats, oats, peanuts.

Adults (18 years and older)

There is a lack of standard or well-established doses of arginine, and many different doses have been used and studied. A common dose is 2-3 grams taken by mouth three times daily. In studies, 0.5-16 grams of arginine has been taken daily by mouth for up to six months. Arginine has been applied to the skin in order to improve wound healing.

Doses of arginine used intravenously depend on specific institutional dosing guidelines and should be given under the supervision of a healthcare provider.

Children (younger than 18 years)

Arginine supplements are not recommended in children because there is not enough scientific information available and because of potential side effects.

NS_patient-arginine

Portions of this document last updated:

Sept. 1, 2009

THIS EVIDENCE-BASED MONOGRAPH WAS PREPARED BY
THE NATURAL STANDARD RESEARCH COLLABORATION
(www.naturalstandard.com)


Text Size: smaller largerlarger