Apr 24, 2009 • By Eric Glenn •
The role of L-Citrulline when it is used as a supplement is to improve blood flow in the body by converting to L-Arginine. The increase in L-Arginine provides benefits to the heart that are the result of a more easily flowing blood stream that is due to the effects that L-Arginine has on nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a compound that relaxes blood vessels. The more relaxed the blood vessels are, the better they are able to handle the flow of blood that runs through them. The benefits of L-Citrulline and L-Arginine are intertwined. The result of improved production of nitric oxide and better blood flow helps to ease physical fatigue (and some would argue mental fatigue also) as well as improve sexual function in both men and women (although the change is most dramatically seen by men who had previously been suffering from impotence before beginning an L-Citrulline/L-Arginine dietary supplement).
Levels of L-Arginine and nitric oxide are found naturally in the system. Everyone already has them. But as we age the lifestyle choices that we make may weaken our body's and handicap our ability to produce the appropriate levels of nitric oxide and L-Arginine. When we are under a great deal of stress or suffering from an illness, production of these essential functions becomes much more difficult. Amino acid requirements are even higher. Failure to produce enough amino acids to fight a weakened immune system translates into a hindrance of the digestive process and a toxin overload in the tissues. This is because amino acids are the building blocks on which proteins are made in the body. Amino acids affect the exercise metabolisms as well as the enzymes needed for brain metabolism. Amino acids aid in the ability of reducing stress, empowers vitamins and minerals to do their specific jobs correctly, acts as neurotransmitters (the sending and receiving of messages by the brain), and aids in the communication between nerve cells in other parts of the body.
Essential amino acids are found in foods that are common and every day. Such a list of foodshigh in amino acids includes meat and poultry, fish, eggs, and dairy products. Yet one may have many reasons (i.e. allergies, being vegan or vegetarian, having a distaste for a particular food, etc.) to not want to consume these foods rich in the essential amino acids that the body would need to perform at peak levels. So a dietary supplement is available. L-Citrulline can provide the body with the amino acid kick start that it needs to convert to Arginine and increase the nitric oxide levels in the body.
As you can see anything that can aid the body in increasing amino acids and nitric oxide is going to do wonders to how your body functions and thus how you feel everyday. Thebenefits of using L-Citrulline as a dietary supplement are impressive, diverse and natural. These benefits are waiting to be had by the great majority of us (with the exception of those individuals currently on medication or receiving treatment that may not allow for the safe use of L-Citrulline or similar supplements). Talk to your doctor about whether or not L-Citrulline is right for you. Don't wait another day to start feeling more energetic both mentally and physically.
