I’ve been using a single supplement in my patients for a boost on three fronts: heart protection, muscle growth and athletic performance.

Our ancestors had a generous supply of this amino acid, arginine, but our modern foods don’t give us enough. Arginine safely delivers a boost of energy that makes you stronger in several ways.

In today’s Health Alert, I’ll show you how easy it is to use arginine, how it can improve your health, and the best form to take.

Arginine for Stronger Muscles, a Healthy Heart and More…

Muscle loss with aging is something I measure everyday. But healthy muscles are critical to good health. They boost your resting metabolism, make you more vigorous and keep you trim.

With arginine, you can prevent muscle loss and restore lost muscle. One study showed that 5 grams of arginine dramatically boosted muscle mass and strength in just 12 weeks. It also reduced body fat.

In the muscle, arginine works as a building block for creatine. Your body needs creatine to build and maintain healthy, strong muscles. By helping your body to make more creatine, arginine helps you keep your muscles healthy, strong, and lean.

In arteries, arginine increases nitric oxide (NO). NO helps keep your endothelial cells healthy. Without NO, your vessels become constricted and less flexible. Healthy endothelial cells allow your vessels to dilate so your heart can move blood easier.

In one study, vessel dilation increased from 2.2% to 8.8% with an arginine supplement.  Another study found that taking oral arginine helped arteries dilate better for people with high blood pressure.

In order to perform sexually, both men and women need blood flow. NO helps this process by relaxing your endothelial cells allowing vessels to dilate. Because it increases NO, arginine acts like a natural Viagra.

In one study, men taking 2.8 grams of arginine a day, showed an 80% improvement in erectile function over the course of two weeks.  NO is important to female sexual arousal too, so arginine is a supplement that both men and women can benefit from.

How to Get the Most from Arginine Supplements

To maintain healthy muscles, prevent heart disease, and stave off erectile dysfunction, you can take arginine in a capsule form. Take a 500 mg cap each day for prevention.

To fix a specific problem that has already occured, you’ll get the most from arginine if you take it in powder form. To build lost muscle, improve sexual performance, or reduce chest pains, take up to 5 grams each day.

Because arginine is an amino acid, proteins compete with its absorption. For this reason, you shouldn’t take it with meals. Instead, take it between meals on a relatively empty stomach. Simply take a teaspoon of powder and mix it with water.

To Your Good Health,

Al Sears MD