We have heard from early years that protein should be consumed with might and main, for it is a pledge of growth, strength and intelligence. However, we discover this with age, not every protein is equally useful. The most useful protein is that, when consumed, the body receives a full set of amino acids, which, to all other things, are also most successfully absorbed by them. Here and so, all seriously.
Amino acids are irreplaceable (they must be found in food), replaceable (we can synthesize them ourselves) and conditionally replaceable (their synthesis in the body occurs only under favorable conditions). Now we will consider the brightest representative of the latter category - arginine.
The amino acid arginine is able to be synthesized in the human body from other amino acids. True, some physiological processes can prevent this. For example, if your diet lacks at least one essential amino acid - the synthesis of proteins in general is suspended. In addition, after 30 years, the synthesis of arginine is practically absent. Also, this process is not conducive to disease, antibiotic treatment and, of course, chemotherapy.
Benefit
Actively about the benefits and harm of arginine started talking in the 80-90-ies of the last century. Actually, on the conversations of scientists pushed nitric oxide - a metabolite (produced during processing of arginine) of our amino acid.
Nitric oxide is known for leading to acid rains and the accumulation of carcinogens in the body. However, in the 90s a group of scientists received the Nobel Prize for discovering the positive role of nitric oxide.
We note at once that the use of arginine is inextricably linked with the use of nitric oxide, because one without the other in the body is not formed. So, thanks to supplying the body with arginine, nitrogen oxide is formed, which leads to:
- relaxation of blood vessels - this property is used as a "first aid" for angina pectoris;
- increased blood flow to the heart muscle and brain;
- increased blood flow to the external genital organs;
- decreased intraocular pressure;
- lowering cholesterol and the risk of progression of atherosclerosis;
- Nitric oxide is a mediator - transmits impulses between nerve cells;
- relaxes cells of the digestive tract, bronchi;
- promotes the excretion of ammonia from the body;
- arginine is a part of collagen, strengthening the frame of muscles, cartilage;
- with arginine deficiency, the composition of the sperm changes (for the worse).
But for women, arginine is interesting, primarily from the point of view of excess weight - the amino acid helps to increase muscle mass and reduce adipose tissue. At the same time, for people who are actively involved in sports, arginine is also useful in that it contributes to the rapid healing of wounds, sprains, restoration of muscles after training and competitions.
Harm of arginine
In principle, it would be more correct to say not the harm of arginine, but contraindications. After all, it is harmful that it is excessive, in fact, this is exactly what scientists have proved to have received the Nobel Prize for nitrogen oxide, which in small doses can even be a cure for cancer.
Arginine can not be consumed with herpes, as well as with schizophrenia. It is contraindicated for children in the period of active growth, as it can provoke gigantism (arginine helps the thyroid gland and pituitary gland to activate the production of growth hormones).
Also this amino acid will be harmful to women during pregnancy and lactation. A regular excess of consumption of arginine leads to thickening of the skin and joints (this process is reversible, everything is normalized once the arginine dosage is reduced).
The daily norm of arginine is 6.1 g. You should not be afraid of excess of this amino acid if you just consume products containing arginine, but playing with dietary supplements can be dangerous.