L-arginine is an amino acid naturally occurring in meat, poultry, dairy products, and fish. It helps increase nitric oxide concentrations in the body, promoting enhanced blood flow. While the research on using L-arginine for treating ED has some potential, overall results are as yet mixed. However, studies combining the amino acid with other ED treatments have shown some degree of success.
What is L-arginine, and what does it do?
L-arginine is one of the foundational building blocks of protein. It can also help reduce blood pressure by increasing nitric oxide, a vasodilatory substance that relaxes the blood vessels. L-arginine has been proven to be as helpful in treating hypertension as making healthier lifestyle changes like regular exercise and eating a healthy diet.
Since nitric oxide helps boost blood flow, it also plays an integral role in producing and keeping an erection firm. Thus, can we say that doing anything that boosts nitric oxide levels leads to a boost in your erections? Let’s find out.
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Can I take L-arginine to treat erectile dysfunction?
Based on one small clinical trial in the past, male subjects were provided with a thrice-daily dose of L-arginine at 500 mg for 17 days and found that it wasn’t any more effective than a placebo for ED. However, it’s possible that the apparent ineffectiveness may have been due to an inadequate dose since more recent studies showed some benefits with higher doses.
A meta-synthesis of 10 studies on L-arginine demonstrated its potential as an ED treatment. At higher doses ranging from 1,500 to 5,000 mg, L-arginine showed substantial improvements in treating moderate to mild ED symptoms as opposed to a placebo, apart from subjects noting improved erectile function and satisfaction.
Does L-arginine cause any side effects?
The meta-analysis discovered that 8% of men taking L-arginine had some mild side effects, compared to only 2% for men taking the placebo. In particular, men who took L-arginine with other supplements such as yohimbine experienced side effects such as headaches, rashes, or insomnia.
More palpable side effects are associated with higher doses (ranging from 15-30 grams daily) of L-arginine. However, side effects were still reported by men taking low-dose L-arginine. The most frequently recorded side effects of L-arginine were gastrointestinal cramps, nausea, and diarrhea.
What L-arginine dose should I take for erectile dysfunction?
In general, L-arginine is thought to be a largely safe natural supplement with just several risk factors to consider. Based on the studies mentioned above, doses up to 15 grams (15,000 mg) are generally well-tolerated by the body. However, it’s still a good idea to start with a smaller dose to see how well your body reacts.
Which is better, L-arginine or L-citrulline?
L-citrulline is a precursor amino acid that the body metabolizes to L-arginine.
Since the link between both amino acids is inextricable, L-citrulline has understandably been studied for its potential effects on ED.
However, the fact is that our bodies process both of these related amino acids a little differently.
L-arginine is broken down in the gastrointestinal system and the liver before the body can use it via a first-pass metabolism process. However, the latter process only absorbs up to 38% of the L-arginine taken from our diets.
Meanwhile, since L-citrulline doesn’t go through first-pass metabolism, it is thought to have more bioavailability for the body to use.
In a study involving patients with mild erectile dysfunction who were given a daily 1,500 mg dose of L-citrulline, men reported better erection quality, and researchers found that the amino acid was safe and generally well-received by the body.
Granted, while the potential for both L-arginine and L-citrulline as ED treatments exists, it must be noted that much of the research conducted thus far is preliminary. Results may vary in larger studies.
Can I use L-arginine in combination with other ED treatments?
Preliminary studies show that L-arginine may be substantially more effective when taken with other ED treatments, some of which we’ll discuss as follows.
L-arginine and pycnogenol: An erection is the product of complex and interrelated bodily processes, one of which is the relaxing of smooth muscles in the penis composed of spongy tissue that is saturated with blood, particularly those in the corpus cavernosum. This process doesn’t occur without sufficient amounts of nitric oxide in the body – something L-arginine can help increase.
On the other hand, pycnogenol, a compound of natural chemicals extracted from the maritime pine tree native to the Mediterranean region, may help boost nitric oxide concentrations in the body. A study showed that 93% of subjects taking L-arginine and pycnogenol for three months may experience normal erections.
Despite the promising findings, it was a small study, and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) makes it clear that the effectiveness of pycnogenol for ED treatment isn’t yet sufficiently substantiated.
L-arginine and tadalafil (Cialis): Combining prescription ED drugs with L-arginine may help increase the effects of both drugs in the body. A study on men given tadalafil (generic Cialis) and L-arginine experienced better results than being given either treatment on their own. The study showed that 2,500 mg of L-arginine combined with a 5 mg dose of tadalafil provided the best outcomes for the participants.
If your doctor has already put you on prescription ED drugs and you are thinking about adding L-arginine as part of your ED treatment regimen, consult your doctor to determine its safety.
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What are the side effects of taking L-arginine supplements for ED?
Generally speaking, oral or topical L-arginine use is safe for most users. However, it’s not without its side effects.
Oral L-arginine use could cause:
- Gastrointestinal pain, nausea, dysentery, and diarrhea
- Gout
- Headaches
- Bloatedness
- Allergies
- Exacerbation of asthma or inflammation of airways
People who have had recent cardiovascular events such as heart attacks should avoid taking L-arginine since doing so increases the risk of fatality.
Moreover, L-arginine can exacerbate existing asthma or allergies. Proceed with caution if you have been diagnosed with either.
Lastly, if you’ve had a history of genital herpes or cold sores, take L-arginine with caution as excessive amounts of the amino acid in your system can activate the virus causing these conditions.
Where can I buy L-arginine supplements?
You can easily find L-arginine in capsule, tablet, or powder form online or in your local health food stores. Remember that since the FDA doesn’t regulate dietary supplements, make sure to buy from a trusted company. Moreover, be wary of exaggerated claims that some L-arginine products display on their labels, such as L-arginine helping boost testosterone levels since science has yet to substantiate such claims. Moreover, it may take trial and error using different doses and time frames to determine whether L-arginine supplements benefit you.
Consult your doctor before taking any dietary supplements to ensure you make a fully-informed decision appropriate for your unique case.
