Arginine

There's more to L Arginine than being a semi-essential amino acid. Foremost, people experiencing hair loss, sexual dysfunction, hypertension, and many other ailments should take notice of the importance of L arginine in a number of vital body processes.

Although some of these known benefits of arginine still has to get the nod of science, the body's need for arginine such as for the generation of urethra, has been found since 1932. The generation of urethra is quite crucial in order for toxic ammonia's removal from the body. In 1939, scientists also found the role of L arginine in synthesizing creatine, which subsequently degrades to creatinine in a constant manner, before it can be eliminated by the kidneys.

L arginine is regarded by the medical community as a semi-essential amino acid, because although the body normally synthesizes it in ample levels, supplementation may sometimes be necessary for instance due to congenital defects in urea synthesis, excess ammonia in the blood, protein malnutrition, infection, excessive intake of lysine, peritoneal dialysis, burns, sepsis, or rapid growth. People who are deficient in L arginine may experience such symptoms as hair loss, poor wound healing, skin rash, constipation, fatty liver, and hair loss.

Most importantly, L arginine serves as a precursor of nitric oxide, a gas that previously had a reputation for being a noxious component of smog, but plays an important role in causing blood vessels to relax. After many studies on its benefits, nitric oxide revealed itself as the molecule that controls blood vessel dilations.

L arginine is of interest in the issue of hair loss and regrowth primarily because the vasodilators (where nitric oxide plays a role) stimulate hair regrowth. On the other hand, vasodilators that go through other pathways to stimulate circulation such as prostaglandins, do not provide a similar beneficial benefit. Needless to say, nitric oxide is a critical component of the hair regrowth process.

Nitric oxide apparently takes part in unlocking potassium channels, which is the same activity induced by the famous topical hair loss treatment, minoxidil. It comes as no surprise for both to share a similar action since minoxidil possesses the nitric oxide chemical group in the form of a chemical analog.

Due to the recent discoveries concerning the benefits of L arginine, manufacturers are researching on how to commercialize the amino acid. In the meantime that these are not available, hair loss sufferers can instead consume foods high in arginine such as filberts, brazil nuts, brown rice, coconut, gelatin, pecans, sesame and sunflower seeds, cashews, buckwheat, almonds, cereals, barley, walnuts, corn, chocolate, oats, meats, peanuts, and dairy products.

Arginine is particularly well-known in the sports realm, in which it regularly used by athletes and body-builders to stimulate the release of the growth hormone as controlled by the pituitary gland. For this matter, health conscious individuals consume about 5 to 10 grams of arginine. When usage involves preventing and treating hair loss, adults can consume an arginine dosage of up to 2000mg, which is considered adequate in supplying the body with the needed resources to optimize nitric oxide production.

When L arginine is used as a topical hair loss treatment, special attention is given because the amino acid in water-soluble, but only slightly in hot alcohol. In this case, using a strong water based medium can provide significant results. Users must take not, though, that this product has no FDA approval yet.

Arginine was well tolerated by patients who participated studies that lasted for up to 6 months. However, L arginine side effects in some individuals include stomach discomfort, stomach cramps, nausea, increased amount of stools, while asthmatic patients may experience worsening of the condition if arginine is inhaled, may be allergy-related.

There's still a long way to go for the study on L arginine and hair loss to gain ground but it certainly is a promising means to treating hair loss problems.