Arginine

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Evidence

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Growth hormone reserve test / pituitary disorder diagnosis
Arginine is sometimes injected intravenously to measure growth hormone levels in people being tested for growth hormone deficiencies, such as panhypopituitarism, gigantism, acromegaly, or pituitary adenoma. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved this use. 		A
Inborn errors of urea synthesis
Patients with inborn errors of urea synthesis may have high ammonia levels in the blood and metabolic alkalosis. There is strong evidence supporting the use of arginine for this condition. Arginine should be avoided in patients with hyperargininemia (high arginine levels in the blood). A qualified healthcare professional should supervise use by all patients. 		A
Heart disease
There is good scientific evidence that dietary supplementation with L-arginine may help patients with coronary artery disease, angina, or atherosclerosis, due to its effects on increasing vasodilation (blood vessel widening). Larger, longer-term studies are needed to confirm these initial positive effects. 		B
Heart failure
Arginine has been studied in patients with heart failure. Longer-term studies are required to confirm the clinical benefit of L-arginine supplementation in patients with heart disease. 		B
Peripheral vascular disease / claudication
Peripheral vascular disease, also known as intermittent claudication, is a narrowing of blood vessels in the legs and feet caused by fatty plaque deposits. This condition causes decreased blood flow to the legs and feet, resulting in leg pain and tiredness. A small number of studies report that arginine therapy may improve walking distance in patients with claudication. Further research is needed. 		B
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD)
Adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD) is a rare inherited metabolic disorder characterized by both the loss of fatty coverings (myelin sheaths) on nerves in the brain and the progressive destruction of the adrenal glands. This condition results in dementia and adrenal failure. Arginine injections may help manage this disorder; however, most study results are inconclusive. Further research is needed to evaluate the use of arginine in ALD. 		C
Altitude sickness
Limited research has examined the effect of L-arginine on altitude sickness symptoms. Larger, well-designed trials are required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Anal fissures
Early research suggests that arginine helps heal chronic anal fissures, which are small tears that develop in the anus. Additional studies are needed. 		C
Anxiety
In limited research, the combination of L-lysine and L-arginine reduced symptoms of anxiety. The effect of L-arginine alone is unknown. Studies investigating arginine alone are needed. 		C
Autonomic failure
Arginine has been studied for treating autonomic failure, a condition that may include low blood pressure. Its effect is unclear. Well-designed studies are needed. 		C
Birth outcomes
The effect of L-arginine on birth outcomes has been studied. Additional research is needed before conclusions can be made. 		C
Blood flow enhancement
In limited research, L-arginine increased blood flow. Because of conflicting results from one study, additional research is needed. 		C
Breast cancer
The therapeutic effect of arginine in breast cancer patients is unclear. Results from early human studies are mixed. High-quality studies are needed. 		C
Burns
Arginine may improve immune function and protein function in burn patients. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn. 		C
Cachexia (weight loss and muscle-wasting disease)
A combination of beta-hydroxyl beta-methyl butyrate, glutamine, and arginine has been tested in patients with cachexia associated with cancer, but conclusions could not be drawn. Further research is required. 		C
Chemotherapy adjuvant
Early human studies suggest that arginine supplements may benefit patients undergoing chemotherapy. Larger, high-quality studies are needed. 		C
Chest pain (noncardiac)
Limited human research reported that arginine taken by mouth improved noncardiac chest pain in patients with esophageal disorders. Large, well-designed studies are needed. 		C
Circulation
Preliminary evidence indicates that L-arginine may increase blood flow. The clinical importance of this is unclear. Further research is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Cognitive function
In preliminary research, L-arginine increased cognitive function in elderly patients with cerebrovascular disease. Better-designed studies are needed. 		C
Critical illness
The impact of L-arginine supplementation on critical illness is unclear. Further research is needed. 		C
Cyclosporine toxicity
Results of preliminary studies of the effect of L-arginine on cyclosporine toxicity in renal transplant patients are mixed. Well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to clarify the effects of L-arginine. 		C
Dental conditions
Recent studies suggested that an arginine-containing toothpaste reduced teeth sensitivity. An arginine-containing product was also effective in reducing dental caries. Additional research is needed to confirm these effects. 		C
Diabetes (type 2)
The effect of L-arginine on type 2 diabetic patients has been investigated. Large, well-designed studies are needed to understand the effect of arginine on type 2 diabetes. 		C
Diabetic complications
Early human research indicates that L-arginine may play a role in reducing complications associated with diabetes. However, further research is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Erectile dysfunction
Early studies showed that arginine supplements helped treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with low nitrate or nitrite levels in their blood or urine. A combination of L-arginine, glutamate, and yohimbine hydrochloride was used to treat ED. However, because a combination product was used, and yohimbine hydrochloride is an FDA-approved therapy for this condition, the effects of arginine alone are unknown. More research is needed with arginine alone. 		C
Exercise performance
Despite common use by athletes, the effect of arginine for exercise performance enhancement has not been studied extensively. Well-designed studies investigating arginine alone are needed before conclusions can be made. 		C
Gastrointestinal cancer surgery
A combination of arginine, RNA, and omega-3 fatty acids may reduce the length of hospital stays and infections after surgery in gastrointestinal cancer patients. More research with arginine alone is needed. 		C
Heart protection during coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG)
Arginine-supplemented blood cardioplegic solution (solution that stops the heart temporarily, e.g., during surgery) may help protect the heart in patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be drawn. 		C
High blood pressure
Early research in humans reported that arginine taken by mouth reduced blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure. Larger, high-quality studies are needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
High cholesterol
Some research suggests that arginine may help treat high cholesterol. Results of different studies conflict, however, and more research is needed. 		C
Immunomodulation
L-arginine has immunomodulating effects in patients undergoing surgery for colorectal cancer and in children with airway infections. In HIV outpatients, L-arginine in combination with omega-3 fatty acids and a nutritional supplement had no additional effects on immune response over a nutritional supplement alone. Additional well-designed research is needed. 		C
Infertility
Limited research has investigated the effect of L-arginine on male and female infertility. Further research is required before conclusions can be made. 		C
Intrauterine growth retardation
Preliminary research of pregnant mothers suggests that arginine supplements improve growth in smaller-than-average fetuses. Additional studies are needed. 		C
MELAS syndrome
Early studies found that supplementation with L-arginine significantly improved endothelial function in patients with MELAS syndrome (mitochondrial myopathy, encephalopathy, lactic acidosis, and stroke). Further research is merited in this area. 		C
Metabolic disorders (creatine deficiency syndromes)
Limited research suggests that L-arginine may decrease symptoms associated with creatine deficiency syndromes. Further research is required before conclusions can be drawn. 		C
Polycystic ovarian syndrome
In preliminary research, treatment with N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) and L-arginine restored gonadal function in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Further research is required before conclusions can be drawn. 		C
Pre-eclampsia (high blood pressure in pregnancy)
Effects of L-arginine in women with pre-eclampsia are mixed. Longer-term treatment appeared to be more effective than short-term treatment. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be made. 		C
Pressure ulcers
Studies of arginine for pressure ulcers show mixed results. Further research is needed before a conclusion can be drawn. 		C
Prevention of restenosis after coronary angioplasty (PTCA)
Injection of L-arginine into surgically inserted stents was investigated, with mixed results. Early research suggested that L-arginine might or might not prevent restenosis (arterial narrowing) in the arteries. Further well-designed studies are required. 		C
Raynaud's phenomenon
Early research in humans investigated the effect of arginine on blood vessel activity in Raynaud's phenomenon, a condition causing the blood vessels in the fingers, toes, nose, and ears to narrow in response to cold temperatures or stress. However, the effects of arginine are not clear. Large, well-designed trials are needed. 		C
Recovery after surgery
In early research, arginine combined with other supplements helped recovery after surgery. However, the role of arginine alone is unclear. More research is needed. 		C
Respiratory infections
Early research suggests that arginine supplements may decrease the risk of respiratory (lung) infections. Large, well-controlled studies are needed to clarify this relationship. 		C
Scleroderma
Based on preliminary research, L-arginine may be useful for pregnant scleroderma patients. Further research is required before conclusions can be drawn. 		C
Sickle cell anemia
Clinical studies investigating the effects of L-arginine on sickle cell anemia are limited; however, early research suggests the potential for immune benefits. Further research is required in this field. 		C
Transplants
In human research, L-arginine improved kidney function in kidney transplant patients, and improved quality of life and exercise tolerance in heart transplant recipients. Additional clinical research is required. 		C
Uterine disorders
In early research, L-arginine improved endometrial thickness in patients with a thin endometrium. Further studies are required before conclusions can be drawn. 		C
Asthma
Available evidence argues against supplementary L-arginine taken by mouth or inhaled. 		D
Interstitial cystitis
Arginine has been proposed as a treatment for interstitial cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). However, most human studies found a lack of effect. 		D
Kidney disease or failure
Overall evidence from early human research fails to support the use of L-arginine for kidney disease or failure. Until the evidence is more consistent, conclusions cannot be made in this field. 		D
Kidney protection during angiography
The contrast media, or dye, used during angiography to map a patient's arteries may be poisonous (toxic) to the kidneys, especially among people with kidney disease. Researchers have studied L-arginine as a way to protect the kidneys in patients with long-term kidney failure who were undergoing angiography. The authors found a lack of evidence that injections of L-arginine protected the kidney from damage due to contrast agents. 		D
Wound healing
In human research, arginine appeared to lack benefit in wound healing. Further research is required before conclusions can be made. 		D
Myocardial infarction (heart attack)
Until potential safety issues are addressed, L-arginine should be avoided by myocardial infarction patients. 		F

Key to grades
A Strong scientific evidence for this use
B Good scientific evidence for this use
C Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D Fair scientific evidence against this use (it may not work)
F Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likely does not work)

Grading rationale

Uses based on tradition or theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.

Aging, AIDS/HIV (prevention of wasting), ammonia toxicity, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), angioplasty, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-platelet agent, beta-hemoglobinopathies, cancer, chronic pain, cirrhosis, cold prevention, colorectal cancer (diagnosis), cystic fibrosis, dental pain (ibuprofen arginate), depression, endocrine disorders (metabolic syndrome), epilepsy, eye disorders, food uses (meat quality), functional gastrointestinal disorders, glaucoma, growth, heavy metal/lead toxicity, hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), hepatic encephalopathy, high blood pressure (newborn; PPHN), hyperhomocysteinemia, increased muscle mass, infection, inflammation, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), iron overload, ischemic stroke, liver disease, liver protection, lower esophageal sphincter relaxation, malaria, metabolic abnormalities (metabolic syndrome), metabolic acidosis, migraine (ibuprofen arginate), mitochondrial disorders, neurological problems, neuropathy, obesity, osteoporosis / osteopenia, pain, parasites, peritonitis, post-menopausal bone loss, pre-term labor contractions, pruritus (itching), rabies, sepsis, sexual arousal, sexual function in women, stomach motility disorders, stomach ulcers, stress, stroke, supplementation to a low protein diet, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), trauma (recovery), tuberculosis, tumors, ulcerative colitis, vaccine adjunct (stabilizer), vascular disorders, weight loss.

Dosing Related terms
NS_patient-arginine Portions of this document last updated: Sept. 1, 2012

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

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