L-Arginine

I’ve been taking L-Arginine for many years now and reckon it’s great for the circulation. It get the blood through the body much better which means beter results from the gym and better erections. Some websites call it “Nature’s Viagra” and that’s not far from the truth. I take one level teaspoon (5 g) before breakfast and my evening meal as a powder in water. Its cheaper as a powder — stuff the taste. Also, I don’t cycle — I take it every day along with fish oil and various other stuff.

Wow, I’ve been a fan of L-Arginine for years as discussed above and have taken it on an empty stomach before breakfast and the evening meal. Following comments on this thread, though, I’ve been ensuring I take it on an empty stomach and don’t eat for at least 15 minutes afterwards. My EQ has soared. Thanks guys.

A pleasant side-effect of arginine is a dose-dependent release of growth hormone. In non-obese populations it has a mild anabolic and potent fat burning effect. When I’m trying to cut some bodyfat in addition to workouts I’ll take an arginine dose in the morning and evening to spike my GH levels.

How much do you take to get the growth hormone release, bro?

2-3g of ester ethyl, 5g or so of l-arginine. The problem is that since prolactin and growth hormone are quite similar, they’re both released by arginine. I take dopamine agonists/levodopa for my RLS symptoms, which blocks the prolactin rise to an extent, otherwise I don’t think I’d use arginine for GH purposes (GABA seems to do the same thing but without prolactin release).

Sorry to bug you on this, but I really want to understand this issue if I can. You say that prolactin is released by L-Arginine. Yet my blood tests show no change in that hormone as a result of taking L-Arginine. It’s stayed relatively constant at mid-range acceptable level to low to mid-range. My doctor does not always test for prolactin (most HRT items are tested at 3-month intervals). I went onto HRT at the end of 2003 and started L-Arginine in July 2004, so I have a few years of results.

Comments, please.

Also, what are RLS symptoms?

Does anybody know of an online EU retailer who sells almost all of the cocktail products?

L-Arginine info and availability in EU

I doubt there’d be an overall serum increase in resting prolactin, just as you would also see no overall serum increase in resting growth hormone (the length of effect is short bursts after intake). I think it’s a personal paranoia on my part since my prolactin levels shot up as a result of dopamine blocker treatment about 7 years ago and I developed some nasty symptoms. RLS is Restless Legs Syndrome, a movement disorder related to dopaminergic neurons. Arginine is a popular supplement with tens, even hundreds of thousands of people having taken it with only a few dozen reported cases of lactation and breast growth, I doubt the prolactin release is anything to worry about, but it is documented in clinical studies of the hormonal response to l-arginine administration.

Thanks for that. You had me a tad worried for a while. In fairness, too, I use Testosterone twice a day (gel applied to my upper arms and shoulders). Once after my morning shower and again just before lunch (about 12:30). My blood tests are always 4:30 or 5:00 pm.

I just bought some cheap 500mg l-arginine from holland & barrett and it says to take it once a day. This is a weak dose though right? Is it safe to take more than one if it says to take just one? Surely it’s the same as taking a different brand at 1000-2000mg right?

I take 5 g or two level teaspoons each day. 0.5 g sounds far too little. Also, mine is pure, pharmaceutical grade L-Arginine, so there’s nothing else in it and I take it in powder form because it’s cheaper than tablets or capsules.

Guys, Ethyl Ester is the way to go in my opinion, despite tasting ridiculously bitter. I take 3g per day and the effects are big, pun intended. If you live in the UK get it here:

MYPROTEIN™ | Sports Nutrition & Clothing | UK’s No. 1 Brand

Just to clear up the issue regarding standard unmodified L-Arginine: as somebody said earlier in the post, due to L-Arginine’s molecular instability it degrades rapidly in the intestines; a dosage of around 9-12g has been reported as beneficial - anything under that and the effects will be minor and perhaps even psychosomatic.

Both AEE (Arginine Ethyl Ester) and AAKG (Arginine Alpha Ketogluterate) achieve much higher rates of absorption, AEE requiring a slightly lower dosage than AAKG for measurable effects.

I believe AEE’s dosage range is roughly: 0.5-3g and AAKG: 2-5g (3x daily in each case for optimal NO levels)

AEE tastes entirely horrible, but a small amount of fruit juice, Cordial, hides the taste surprisingly well.

Seconding man-of-10’s link. I’ve been buying from those guys for years and have had nothing but great service and quality.