The amino acid arginine is a semi-essential amino acid.
For newborns, the amino acid arginine is essential, because at this age of life, its own production is not yet possible. Adult humans can produce it in the body, which means that arginine is not essential for adults.
Arginine is involved in numerous bodily functions. Among other things, it promotes the release of growth hormone from the pituitary gland and thus contributes to muscle growth. Growth hormone (STH) is considered an important regenerative and anti-aging hormone.
Furthermore, arginine plays an important role in the vascular system. As a precursor of endogenous nitric oxide (NO = Endothelium Derived Relaxing Factor), arginine is involved in versatile regulatory processes such as the relaxation of blood vessels – it thus helps to improve blood flow.
L-arginine may potentially help treat patients with atherosclerosis risk factors such as smoking, hypercholesterolemia (high blood cholesterol), hypertension (high blood pressure), diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, hyperhomocysteinemia (elevated blood concentrations of homocysteine), and aging, all of which are conditions associated with reduced NO biosynthesis. This likely leads to improved endothelial function in these patients.