11 replies to this topic

[tfor]

Many people take arginine cause it raises NO. I heard this is good for the heart and athletic performance

and also for erections.

But recently I watched something on youtube where a doctor said that these NO products are basically bad

cause raising NO also raises another substance in the body (peroxynitrite) which is totally harmful for the mitochondria.

Since watching this I'm worried and confused. Have you heard about this?

[Dorian Grey]

Gama tocopherol is supposed to take care of peroxynitrate...  I tried a "high-gamma" vitamin E supplement and HATED IT.  Made me feel punky and smelled awful.  Tried some natural vitamin E with mixed tocopheols (which has some low dose gamma E) and found happiness.  

 

Arginine can also trigger herpes if you have contracted this virus along the way...  If not, low doses would probably be the best to try.  The "side effects" of youthful erections might be a good thing!  

[medicineman]

imo I don't think the benefits are worth the peroxynitrates. Your body produces it all the time, and your antioxidants try their best (and almost always fail eventually as a consequence of aging). Unless I see research showing that supplemental antioxidants mop up all the arginine toxic byproducts, I'd stay away.

[MoroccanBrain]

I'm a new member so I can't post any pubmeds/links...

Anyway... You should NOT talk l-arginine if you want to raise NO-levels. Yes, it has soms beneficial results but these are mixed with a bunch of side effects. The BEST natural supplement to NO-levels for atletiek performance is without a doubt red beet root extract (8 mol/l). These contain nitrates which will ultimately raise NO levels in an INSTANT. Make sure you take this with 200mg vitamine c so the nitrates won't turn into nitrosamines...

Mix this with Hawthorn berry extract and you'll have the best pre-workout supplement out there.

[pamojja]

 The BEST natural supplement to NO-levels for atletiek performance is without a doubt red beet root extract (8 mol/l). These contain nitrates which will ultimately raise NO levels in an INSTANT. Make sure you take this with 200mg vitamine c so the nitrates won't turn into nitrosamines...

Mix this with Hawthorn berry extract and you'll have the best pre-workout supplement out there.

 

I see you're from Belgium. Do you know of a good online shop in the EU selling red beet root powder?

[MoroccanBrain]

Yes actually I do. www.creanite.nl I know him personally. I'm not sure but I think he ships to other countries as wel. You can email him as well, he speaks english. Email: info@creanite.nl

[tfor]

Doesn't beet create the same issues as arginine?

If beet also raises NO then why should it not have the same negative side effects?

 

 

[MoroccanBrain]

Yes and no. It both raises NO, too much NO can have some side effects. True. But l-arginine has also other effects on the body besides raising NO. Unlike beetroot <- the only thing that this does is raise NO and maybe some other health benefits like vasodilation. 

 

L-arginine can have some side effects like anxiety, insomnia, allergies...

 

Secondly, it's far more easy for the body to convert nitrates to NO than l-arginine to NO because l-arginine needs other co-factors as well...

[hav]

L-arginine is generally good for persons who might benefit from increased breathing efficiency, increased blood flow, and lower blood pressure.  Not so much if you have low blood pressure to start with.  Or if you are going in for surgery.  Although if taken after surgery (after all bleeding ceases), it can speed recovery.  The allergy thing seems to relate to persons who have an allergic reaction to airborne things like pollen whose absorption via the lungs might be enhanced.  On the other hand, those with diminished lung capacity seem to benefit.  As does athletic performance.

 

There are mixed reports on l-arginine synergy with antioxidants.  Here's a positive one:

 

Beneficial effects of antioxidants and l-arginine on oxidation-sensitive gene expression and endothelial NO synthase activity at sites of disturbed shear stress

 

And one that suggests that some antioxidants like NAC can neutralize the NO production effect of l-arginine:

 

The effect of different antioxidants on nitric oxide production in hypertensive rats

 

Howard

 

[tfor]

Do scientists really know if beets raise NO and if they also raise peroxynitrite?

 

I also wonder how many beets would one have to eat.

[AlexCanada]

Hi. I have an extremely unhealthy looking face with severe dark circles around my eyes, wrinkles near eyes due to collagen loss, and some pigmentation issues. I generally have believed I have poor circulation in my face because certain meds like modafinil can improve facial appearance to a degree.

 

L-Arginine however has miraculous results on improving my facial appearance. Could this strictly be a Nitric Oxide deficiency? Or poor circulation + poor hormones in general? I have very low T + low E + low thyroid + low cortisol.  Unfortunately the Arginine while turning my physical appearance from a 2/10 ghastly looking zombie into a 7/10 is remarkable... it unfortunately makes me feel confused, very foggy, and gives me migraines.  Even at low doses of 50mg.  

 

What alternatives might be available?  Please let me know as people who look on me believe I am severely ill or on drugs due to my severe dark circles and unhealthy appearance. I really need some relief!  

[sativa]

What about Agmatine instead of L-Arginine?
Agmatine is one of the metabolites of L-Arginine, and has numerous benefits, notably it is responsible for the NO effects of Arginine. I take it occasionally.

Agmatine: NMDA antagonist, imidazoline (1) agonist - positively modulates CB1, 5-HT1A activity, alpha 2-adrenoceptor affinity, orexogenic activity, reduces blood pressure.

Examine.com has an extensive section on Agmatine.

...
L-Arginine however has miraculous results on improving my facial appearance. Could this strictly be a Nitric Oxide deficiency? Or poor circulation + poor hormones in general? I have very low T + low E + low thyroid + low cortisol.
...
What alternatives might be available? Please let me know as people who look on me believe I am severely ill or on drugs due to my severe dark circles and unhealthy appearance. I really need some relief!

Re collagen, look into "great lakes" brand collagen hydroslate (very easily absorbable collagen), gotu kola (increases collagen production) and possibly hulauronic acid.

What is your magnesium and vitamin D intake like?

From what you have said, potentially your adrenal glands are underperforming or are over worked. Have you ruled out auto immune issues? Cutting out all gluten and lectin containing foods (alternatively use the "lectin lock" supplement, I just made my own by buying the raw ingredients) would be a good start to resolving your issues, whatever they may be.

Edited by sativa, 09 August 2015 - 11:40 PM.