Arginine
Also known as: L-Arginine, L-Arg, Arginine sodium succinate, Arginine HCl
Effective Dosage
No established dose from provided studies
What the Science Says
Arginine is an amino acid found naturally in the body and in foods like meat and nuts. One clinical trial found that intravenous arginine sodium succinate improved walking distance in patients with peripheral artery disease better than a standard drug, suggesting a role in supporting blood flow. Animal research suggests it may have neuroprotective effects in certain mitochondrial disorders, and it appears in metabolic pathways linked to inflammation and cardiovascular health.
What It Doesn't Do
The provided studies don't support arginine as a muscle-builder or workout booster. Perioperative arginine supplementation did not reduce complications or mortality in cancer surgery patients. No evidence from these studies that oral arginine supplements meaningfully raise nitric oxide levels in healthy people or improve athletic performance.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Intravenous arginine sodium succinate demonstrated statistically significant superiority over pentoxifylline in improving maximum walking distance (29.4m vs 19.6m) and pain-free walking distance in peripheral artery disease patients (PMID: 41805668). L-arginine improved motor performance and extended lifespan in MFN2-deficient Drosophila models of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A, suggesting neuroprotective potential via mitochondrial dynamics (PMID: 41932155). Perioperative arginine and omega-3 supplementation in gastrointestinal cancer surgery patients did not significantly improve postoperative infectious complications, mortality, or inflammatory markers compared to standard care (PMID: 41754168).
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established dose from provided studies
Source: auto-research
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown from provided studies — the clinical trial showing vascular benefit used intravenous administration, not oral supplements, which limits conclusions about oral bioavailability.
Red Flags to Watch For
- The strongest clinical evidence used intravenous arginine, not the oral supplements sold in stores — results may not translate
- The surgical trial found no benefit from oral arginine supplementation, raising questions about whether oral doses are effective
- Arginine is found in over 1,000 registered supplement products, but the provided research base is thin for consumer-facing claims
- Animal and lab studies (Drosophila, food chemistry) dominate the provided evidence — human clinical data is very limited
Research Sources
- PubMed
- NIH DSLD
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-04-06