Arginine and It's Side Effects on Cardiovascular System
Arginine and It's Side Effects on Cardiovascular System
Side Effects of L-Arginine
L-arginine may lower blood pressure because it is involved in the formation of nitric oxide. It may also result in indigestion, nausea, and headache.
L-arginine can be used following a heart attack. If you have a history of heart disease, consult your doctor before taking L-arginine.
Higher doses of arginine can increase stomach acid, so it may worsen heartburn, ulcers, or digestive upset cause by medications. Arginine appears to increase stomach acid by stimulating the production of gastrin, a hormone that increases stomach acid.
L-arginine may also alter potassium levels, especially in people with liver disease. People with kidney disease and those who take ACE inhibitors or potassium sparing diuretics should not use supplemental L-arginine unless they are under professional supervision. It may also alter the levels of other chemicals and electrolytes in the body, such as chloride, sodium, and phosphate.
Arginine may increase blood sugar levels, so it shouldn't be used by people with diabetes unless under a doctor's supervision.
Pregnant and nursing women and children should not use supplemental L-arginine, as it's safety has not been established.
People with genital herpes should not take L-arginine because it may aggravate their symptoms.
Possible Drug Interactions
L-arginine may counteract the benefits of lysine to treat herpes
NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) or other drugs that are hard on the stomach should not be combined with L-arginine.
Drugs that alter potassium levels in the body, such as ACE inhibitors and potassium sparing diuretics.
Sources
Schulman SP et al. "L-arginine therapy in acute myocardial infarction: the Vascular Interaction With Age in Myocardial Infarction (VINTAGE MI) randomized clinical trial". JAMA. 295.1 (2006):58-64.
