Arginine Health Article

Side effects

As previously noted, the use of supplemental arginine should be monitored for use with specific problems. Overdose could result in unforeseen complications, while regular use might or might not help ease everyday problems, such as relaxation of muscles not due to the specific heart ailment of arterial disease. People who should not take arginine supplements are those predisposed to herpes outbreaks; cancer patients, due to possible increase in cell replication of cancerous cells; those with low blood pressure; and individuals with certain liver or kidney problems. Those taking blood thinners are advised to seek medical advice before taking the supplement. Pregnant women are also cautioned against taking the supplements due to the unknown affect it could have on both mother and child.

Interactions

Long-term studies are ongoing. While no adverse reactions of ordinary supplements of 6–9 g a day have yet been documented, caution is urged. Because amino acids are not drugs, their use is not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). One study in April 1999 in HealthInform: Essential Information on Alternative Health Care reported that nutritional supplements of arginine with omega-3 fatty acids for outpatients with HIV showed no particular benefits in immunity.

PERIODICALS

"Arginine Treatment man Improve Immune Function." AIDS Weekly (September 23, 2002):3.

Brown, Edwin W. "Troubled by Cold Sores?" Medical Update (March 1999).

Brown, Liz. "Arginine and Exercise." Better Nutrition (June 2000).

Chowienczyk, Phil and Jim Ritter. "Arginine: NO more than a simple amino acid?" The Lancet 27 (September 1997).

Gerard, James M. and Atchawee Luisiri. "A fatal overdose of arginine hydrochloride." Journal of Toxicology (November 1997).

Henderson, Charles W. "Suppression of Arginine Transport and Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Activated Macrophages by Cat 2 Antisense Oligonucleotides." Cancer Weekly Plus (28 December 1998).

Klotter, Jule. "Arginine and Heart Disease." Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients (August-September 2002): 22.

Marandino, Cristin. "Taking Heart." Vegetarian Times (November 1999).

Pessarosa, A.; Dazzi, D.; Negro, C.; Cebigni, C.; Vescovi, P. P. "Effects of Alcohol Consumption and Accompanying Diet on Metabolic Response to Arginine in Chronic Alcoholics." Journal of Studies on Alcohol (September 1999).

"Prospective Study tests Nutritional Supplements enriched with Arginine and Omega–3 Fatty Acids." Health Inform: Essential Information on Alternative Health Care (April 1999).

Rodale Press. "Bypass This Snack." Men's Health (November 1999).

Rodale Press. "Is Being Henpecked Hereditary?" Men's Health (January 2000).

Thomas, Clayton, L., M.D., M.P.H., ed. "Hyperkalemia." Taber's Cyclopedic Medica Dictionary. Edition 13 Philadelphia: F. A. Davis Company, 1977.

Webb, Denise. "Ease Exercise–Related Pains with Arginine." Prevention December 1999.

Williams, Stephen. "Passing the Acid Test." Newsweek 27 March 2000.

OTHER

"Arginine." Mosby's Medical, Nursing & Allied Health Dictionary, Edition 5 1998. Available from <http://web2.infotrac.galegroup.com/itw.>

Jane Spehar

Teresa G. Odle