L-Arginine Side Effects
There are plenty of powerful new drugs to help prevent and treat chronic health problems. But we also know that certain nutrients may help as well. Take for example arginine. Arginine has gotten lots of attention lately for its potential heart benefits. That's important because, today, about 64 million Americans have some form of cardiovascular disease.
Deficiencies of arginine are rare. It's abundant in many different types of foods, and your body can also make it. Arginine-rich foods include red meat, fish, poultry, wheat germ, grains, nuts and seeds, and dairy products. But what does arginine do for the heart, and are there potential side effects?
Why do we need arginine?
Arginine, also known as L-arginine, is involved in a number of different functions in the body. They include:
- wound healing
- helping the kidneys remove waste products from the body
- maintaining immune and hormone function
- As a natural dietary supplement, arginine has garnered particular attention for its possible heart benefits.