L-arginine is an amino acid, sometimes called “semi-essential,” because your body needs it to function properly, but sometimes you may need to get it from food or supplements. L-arginine is important for your endocrine system, neurotransmitters, and blood vessel health.
Thorne L-Arginine Plus is a dietary supplement designed to support healthy blood flow and a healthy cardiovascular system. It combines sustained-release L-arginine with antioxidants and other nutrients.
In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at Thorne L-Arginine Plus, including its potential benefits, ingredients, and how to use it.
Understanding L-Arginine and Nitric Oxide
The Role of L-Arginine
L-arginine is an amino acid that does a lot of important things in your body. One of its main jobs is to act as a precursor to nitric oxide. It also helps with endocrine function and neurotransmitter regulation.
L-arginine is considered a “semi-essential” amino acid, meaning your body can usually make enough of it, but sometimes you need to get extra from food or supplements.
Nitric Oxide and Vascular Health
Nitric oxide is super important for your heart and blood vessels. It helps relax blood vessels, which keeps your blood flowing smoothly.
L-arginine plays a big role in making sure your body has enough nitric oxide. When you have enough L-arginine, it helps your blood vessels work the way they should and keeps blood flowing to all your organs and limbs.
Thorne L-Arginine Plus: Key ingredients and their benefits
Thorne L-Arginine Plus isn’t just about one ingredient. It’s a carefully crafted blend designed to work together. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find inside:
L-Arginine
Each serving of Thorne L-Arginine Plus gives you 1 gram of L-arginine. But it’s not just about the amount, it’s about how your body uses it. That’s why Thorne uses Time-Sorb® technology. This is a sustained-release system that helps maintain optimal L-arginine levels throughout the day, rather than a quick spike and crash.
Cofactors and Antioxidants
To enhance the effects of L-arginine, Thorne adds a blend of vitamins, minerals, and plant-based compounds:
- Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid): You get 300 mg per serving. Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant.
- Folate (L-5-MTHF): Each serving contains 920 mcg DFE of folate.
- Green Tea Phytosome: There’s 200 mg of green tea phytosome in each serving.
- R-Lipoic Acid: You’ll find 50 mg of R-Lipoic Acid per serving.
- Trans-Resveratrol: Each serving includes 50 mg of trans-resveratrol.
Synergistic Effects
These ingredients aren’t just thrown together randomly. They’re chosen to work together. The combination is designed to boost nitric oxide production and provide antioxidant support, working in synergy with the L-arginine for maximum benefit.
Benefits of Thorne L-Arginine Plus
Thorne L-Arginine Plus packs a punch in terms of potential health benefits, primarily due to the properties of L-arginine itself, boosted with extra antioxidants. Here’s a quick rundown:
- Cardiovascular Support: This supplement can help keep your blood vessels flexible and contribute to healthy blood pressure levels.
- Improved Circulation: L-Arginine Plus supports healthy blood flow throughout your body, including to your vital organs and extremities.
- Exercise and Healing: Some studies suggest it can boost exercise performance and potentially speed up wound healing.
- Sexual Health: It may contribute to overall sexual wellness, and some explore options like maca root for fertility.
- Healthy Aging: The L-arginine and antioxidant blend can help support healthy aging.
Usage, warnings, and interactions
Before you start taking any kind of supplement, it’s always a good idea to read up on the best way to take it and any potential interactions with other medications or conditions.
Suggested use
Thorne recommends taking 3 capsules twice a day, or as your healthcare practitioner advises. The company doesn’t provide any special instructions on when or how to take the capsules.
Warnings and precautions
If you’re pregnant or breastfeeding, you should talk with your doctor before taking Thorne L-Arginine Plus.
L-Arginine Plus may interact with methotrexate. Be sure to talk with your doctor before using L-Arginine Plus if you take methotrexate.
If you have herpes, you may need to supplement with lysine. Also, L-Arginine Plus may not be right for you if you have hepatocellular carcinoma.
Thorne also says that 5-MTHF supplementation is not recommended while you’re undergoing methotrexate cancer therapy.
Allergen information
Thorne L-Arginine Plus doesn’t contain any major allergens.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drink coffee with L-arginine?
There’s generally no known direct interaction between coffee and L-arginine. However, both can affect blood pressure, so it’s wise to monitor your body’s response. If you experience any unusual symptoms like rapid heart rate or dizziness, consider adjusting your intake.
Is L-arginine bad for the kidneys or liver?
For most healthy individuals, L-arginine is generally considered safe. However, if you have pre-existing kidney or liver conditions, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider before taking L-arginine supplements. They can help you determine the appropriate dosage and monitor for any potential adverse effects.
How long does it take for L-arginine to work?
The time it takes for L-arginine to produce noticeable effects can vary depending on several factors, including dosage, individual metabolism, and the specific health goal. Some people may experience benefits within a few weeks, while others may require a longer period of consistent use.
What happens when you take L-arginine before bed?
Taking L-arginine before bed is a strategy some people use to potentially enhance the natural production of growth hormone during sleep. However, individual responses can vary, and it’s essential to listen to your body and adjust the timing based on your personal experience.
Does arginine help get hard?
L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, which plays a role in vasodilation. Vasodilation helps relax blood vessels, which can improve blood flow. For some men, improved blood flow may help with erectile function, but it is not a guaranteed outcome and may not be effective for everyone. Addressing factors like semen viscosity can be important for better sperm health.
Summary
Thorne L-Arginine Plus is a supplement that’s meant to boost your cardiovascular health, improve blood flow, and enhance your overall well-being.
Before you start taking any new supplement, it’s essential to talk with your doctor to make sure it’s right for you.
Keep in mind that Thorne L-Arginine Plus is intended to supplement, not replace, a healthy lifestyle. It’s meant to enhance the benefits of regular exercise, a balanced diet, and enough sleep.