L-arginine effects

[jackie_treehorne]

I've taken L-arginine supplements based on some information here and elsewhere about it helping with working out...and sexual benefits.

Haven't noticed anything significant as far as workouts, but the one thing I did notice was during a recent bedroom 'session' with my wife, my cock was more veiny than usual, and I'm not usually like that. I have to admit that I enjoyed the visual.

I guess this the blood flow dialating effect, but I also realize it could be a placebo effect.

Anybody else have observations to share about L-arginine supplements?

And what's a good dosage? I was taking 1 to 2 tablets (1000mg) a day but I've seen guys post about taking 5g. That seems like a lot, but I don't really know. I worried there would be negative side effects of taking that much.

 

[Hotlatbtm]

You've seen the 'direct' result of it as the skin on your cock is relatively thin. Now imagine your muscles ( of which you can't see the interior's blood flow like your cock ) and think of how your muscles are being affected by that 'extra' blood flow to them ? That will take time to see. IF after about maybe six months of gym time you don't see some effect then post again ......

 

[dirkjesje]

Before the 'blue pill', L-arginine was prescripted as an ED-drug.

Dose : 2500mg to 5000mg (*) L-arginine powder with 250mg to 500mg (*) L-carnitine disolved in 25cl water - 30minutes upto 1H before sex.

Maintenance dose : 1000 a 2000mg (*) L-arginine daily - best 30 minutes before breakfast.

It didn't do much for me in that time - but I didn't take the daily maintenance dose as it tasted awfull on an empty stomach.

Mostly you get enough L-arginine with your food intake. But it can give you a certain boost in the blood flow during a short amount of time.
Overdosing won't help - as too much arginine will leave asap your body via urine.
The most common side-effect is diarrhea.

(*) Dose depending on your weight -> 2500mg for 75kg body weight.

 

[farmdog]

There are clinical trials giving up to 7000mg daily for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy in feet, which the trial proved to be effective in treating. It purportedly increases Nitric Oxide, which is directly related to increasing blood flow to the penis as a vasodilator. There are conflicting studies as to whether or not it increases Nitric Oxide. I take the 7000mg/daily dose and have been doing so for several years. I have increased veins in my penis, but also I am using a Bathmate and jelqing, so can't attribute the L-Arginine solely to the increase in veins when flaccid and erect.

 

[shyyguy123]

L-Citrulline is the precursor to L-Arginine and has actually been proven to more effectively raise blood plasma levels of Arginine than L-Arginine itself.

I'd go with L-Citrulline.

 

[Moez???]

I was taking 3000 gm a day, 1000 after each meal, for about 2 months.

It helped with PE and exercise...sorta...I'm kinda sensitive to changes in my body, so I felt different for sure. I'd get tired more easily...like, after doing a set at the gym, I wasn't able to do as many reps, but my muscles were more swollen than they usually were.

It can deplete Potassium, which I think was the issue with me. My eye started twitching like crazy after a month or so, and wouldn't stop twitching until I stopped taking it. So make sure you increase your potassium, eat lots of potatoes and bananas and lentils. Not sure if lentils have potassium, but they have a ton of other great stuff, everyone should eat lentils.

 

[bigbucky]

I was taking 3000gm a day also. the inside of my mouth had sores, and diarrhea was also a problem after 2 weeks. I also noticed that it didn't seem to work as well as time went along. now I take 2000mg the day I know I'm gonna have sex.

 

[patro78]

OP, as other posters have more or less stated, arginine's positive effect on erectile strength was most likely not the result of a placebo effect, but of arginine's capacity to increase vasodilation secondary to its potential to activate nitric oxide. However, as farmdog points out, while arginine may be necessary for the production of NO, it is not necessarily a good inducer of it.

Shyguy is also spot on: l-citrilline, an amino-acid of the urea cycle and precursor to l-arginine, is more effective at increasing overall (as distinct from peak) blood plasma levels of l-arginine than l-arginine itself, because l-citriline has a much better intestinal absorption rate than l-arginine. In addition, most of orally administered l-citriline is taken up in and metabolized by the kidneys, converting into l-arginine.

But note: higher doses of l-citriline do not necessarily lead to higher plasma levels of l-arginine; in fact, the opposite seems to be true.

Take a look at these excellent summaries, linking to studies on both amino acids. Examine is a fantastic free resource for reliable information on supplements.

Arginine - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com

Citrulline - Scientific Review on Usage, Dosage, Side Effects | Examine.com

 

[Moez???]

I found pills that had 500 mg citrilline, and 500 mg argenine. Those seem to work the best for me.

But i think 3000mg may be too much. I'm a bigger guy, too, 6'2" and 190 lbs. So If that gave me some issues, I don't think more=better.

 

[dongalong]

So how noticable is L-Arginine's effect on your boners? Did anyone notice an improvement by using L-Citrulline?