Q: How does L-Arginine work with high blood pressure and Type 1 diabetes? And could it help me?
A: L-arginine is an amino acid. In the body, it can be part of a complex pathway that causes blood vessels to dilate and makes the body more efficient in using insulin. As a result, both blood pressure and blood glucose levels may be reduced. Good food sources for L-arginine are nuts, fish, and soy beans. I do not recommend supplements.
(31 votes, average: 3.39 out of 5)
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wht don’t you recomend L-arginine supplement
Dr. Rowena overwhelmingly suggests to people that they consult their medical doctor because that is the legally safest answer to give. If one wants alternative medical advice then you have to go to see an alternative practitioner.
Recent studies suggust taking 4-6 grams of arginine /day on a empty stomach. Results will show in 4-6 weeks.The only side effect might be in gout patients.Since research is slow in the natural field more studies need to be done.
When considering soybeans it is of the up most importance to make sure that they are not genetically modified soy beans which should be avoided and consideration should be given to the estrogenic activity of the soybean.
Doctors NEVER recommend supplements, simply because they make no money off of them, they are easy to find, and they help people with little to no side effects. It gets tiresome reading this as the Medical field should try to help people. Forcing someone to take a prescription drug and then when it doesn’t work forcing them to take more of it, is simply insanity.
I agree with you. I have found that magnesium helps blood sugar and BP for me. When I mentioned it to my Dr. he didn’t have any interest. Most doctors only look at medicine and won’t go beyond it in their approach to treatment. I have always wondered why doctors get to prescribe drugs. It seems like a pharmacist with a PhD would be better equipped to recommend treatment after the doctor made the diagnosis.
Richard,
How much magnesium do you find helps with your b/p?
How much magnesium do you find helps with b/p?
Dp you need a prescription to get fish, nuts, and soy???
@Jim & Joseph Clark,…Amen..Amen!! The Doctor said I don’t recommend supplements but here are five prescriptions for for pills costing $400.to control your BP…which incidentally you are going to need for the rest of your life . It’s not about health care it ‘s about the Doctor’s welfare and the $s,& conferences in Barbados & seminars in Hawaii that the drug manufactures give them. Stick with the supplements and unless you are in an emergency situation keep away from these mercenaries .
It is a little unfair to stereotype physicians like this. I do not know any doctors who make money off of prescription medications. However, the way they are usually trained has put emphasis on medications so they do for their patients what they know will work. They cannot be faulted for this. Until recently nutritional supplements have not been properly studied using good protocols so many claims have been made that were later discredited. I think many doctors and scientists are now looking at supplements in a different way. But it will take physicians a while to catch up. They are overwhelmed with information as it is and most are overworked. And no, I am not a physician but I know many bright and hardworking doctors who are simply doing their best. Nowadays people can get very good information on the internet and through good books by reputable physicians who are nutritionally ‘enlightened.’ So just get off your duffs and do your own homework! You will be more healthy and give your overloaded doc a break . . .
Realy? Doctors don’t make any money off of RX? Ever notice all the “Drug Reps” those guys and usually beautifull “ladies” who come into the loby get a free pass back to see the Dr. while you wait for your appt. that was over 1 hour ago. They are always dressed very nice/ have a lugage of some type with them and often have lunch catered for the Dr. and his staff that day. They are selling your Dr. drugs to prescribe to you and the more the Dr. prescribes the more he gets out of it. Kickbacks and all of that. There is HUGE money being made think about it.
@OHMYRUC-reus. Kindly provide the proof to substantiate the kickbacks you insist doctors are getting from the drug reps.
I do not recommend supplements because if you eat properly, supplements are not needed. Recent medical studies have shown that supplements don’t supply the same benefits of the ingredient found naturally in food. This is why I mentioned food products that contain l-arginine. I think it makes more sense to add some nuts to your diet, increase the fish in your diet, and substitute a tofu meal for a meat meal than to purchase a supplement. Keep in mind regulations regarding the manufacturing of supplements are not stringent. Also, pharmaceutical companies, not physicians, make the profit from drugs.
I always hear that you can get all you need from your diet,(IF you eat right)! I know in this world it is so hard to find people who can even afford to eat right. Besides,I’ve tried a lot of the food that’s supposed to be “Eating right” and I just cannot stand them they make me gag,always have.
If she does not recommend supplements, why not? Does she know how much of a certain food must be consumed to get sufficient L.Arginine? Over two pounds a day of nuts alone.
I would have difficulty trusting a doctor that would not recommend natural supplements over chemical medicines! Please give your reasons. Most drugs have toxic elements that have proven to cause dangerous side effects. In addition most are not sufficiently tested to prove their safety or effectivness. Look at the re-calls. When the drugs are put through tests that are funded by the manufacter
how can you be sure the tests do not reflect the results the manufacturers want rather than actual results? Both my husband and I have permanent damage cause by medically prescribed drugs. Why would a doctor not prescribe natural products? Don’t they make you enough money?
Another problem with doctors and prescription drugs has to do with the fear of unenecessary litigation that can tied up thier time nad ruin their reputation. Individual research may be more helpful.
Why do you not suggest Arginine supplements? You couldn’t eat enough of Arginine-rich foods to have a positive effect on blood pressure. Supplements have proved safe, anf an excellent. time-released version is put out that has had extensive experience with the heart circulation and cardio-vascular system
same deal
be careful if you have ever had shingles could cause another outbreak, it did for me. arginine
I have had shingles and am brone to fever blisters, both are caused by the same virus. I take 1.8grams of L-arginine twice a day with 600 mg of L-lysine with it and have not had any fever blisters or shingles. Hope this helps.
Ditto herpes. Add lysine and you should be fine. As for high bp, all the Rx meds give me terrible side effects, except one, which didn’t bring my bp down enough. Added SR-Arginine (which didn’t work on its own) and I’m below 120/75 after a few weeks. I also take one triple cranberry capsule a day for a little diuretic action.
what kind of nuts and how many etc.
Any nuts will do. Walnuts are the best. About 7 halves in one serving. Even seeds have similar benefits. Sunflower, etc. They can also help flatten your tummy.
What is the difference between type 1 and type 2 Diabetes??
The book, The Blood Pressure Hoax” by Dr. Sherry A. Rogers suggests L-Arginine as a possible alternative solution to high BP. Her belief is that hypertension is not caused by a deficiency in pharmaceutical drugs….
I dont know about this information. Why not tell why?
L-Arginine at the dosage of 1 to 20 grams daily works as well as viagrs. per the news letter of Dr. David Williams
Nice for ladies too.
I am curious, doctor……why don’t you recommend supplements? Of any kind??
i have mild high blood pressure.tell me why can’t i take L-Arginine suplements if is going to help me.
if a supplement is in natural FORM then no problem….but the “doctor” should give some direction with food and a natural form supplement for advise.
I’m disappointed that you wouldn’t suggest supplements and I’m equally disappointed that you will not respond here. My son is a pharmacist. He and his friends take supplements and would rather do this than take medications.
You really need to find out why you may have high blood pressure. It is not all heredity. It can often be a result of diet and environment (resulting in arterial stiffness (elevating your blood pressure) Taking arginine supplements can help bring you back to a balance and thus start controlling your blood pressure.) Most regular gp’s don’t really know why their patients have high blood pressure. They just put you on medication to control it(more than likely for the rest of your life, blood pressure meds have side effects too.)Ask your dr. why you have high blood pressure. Get them to give you an arterial stiffness test. You can find a way to get off your meds.
I have got off half my HBP medication and will get off the rest. Before going to the doctor My BP was average 130/69 checked every week at home. I had to wait 3 hours in a over crowded waiting room for a doctor that had doubled booked his patiences and was running one hour late. My blood pressure sky rocket as most people have “white coat hypertention”anyway. The doctor further scared me to death by telling me I could have a heart attack. he was over rushed and spent less than 5 minutes with me. I am still suffering side effects from all the medicine he put me on for a condition he caused.Two year battle getting off this crap and its horrible side effects.
The doctor put me on HBP med in Dec. 2009 and I ended up in the hospital twice and was off work for 5 months, which resulted in my hours being cut when I went back. I thought I was going to die from the effects of the meds. I am finally getting over most of the side effects and only take supplements, watch what I eat and exercise to control my bp which is doing very nicely. L-Arginine, CoQ10, L-Carnitine and magnesium are my core supplements. I hope that you get better from the side effects and get free from the poison meds.
My alternative doctor recommended L-Arginine. One thing I read in a book about arginine is that it doesn’t last long. This book said that studies were done with time-release supplements. Dr. Mercola has a time release capsule that I think is very good.
I use L-Arginine time release and time release niacin. They work super. Supplements work better than drugs. Drugs have side effects and were never meant for the body. Supplements are natural to the body.
Ok, “Dr.” Rowena. You did not answer my inquiry about your reason for not recommending supplements.
Result? You have lost all credibility with me. You apparently are the typical “AMA” doc who doesn’t believe in anything but what the pharmaceutical companies have taught you. There are many reasons for taking many supplements today, depending upon what a person needs for his system. Not the least of those reasons is the poor content of food today.
I would recommend to Resperate that they replace you instead with a Dr. with a more enlightened approach to non-drug related treatment of hypertension.
Good nutrition is the best way to prevent Hypertension and may assist in reducing prescription medication. This is a lifelong ‘treatment’ and is more time-consuming than popping any pills. Prescription meds or supplements are the preferred quick fix. If the prescription meds don’t work, the tendency is to go for ‘natural’ meds because it is easier to pop a pill than go for the bigger effort to really have a serious look at one’s diet. Go ‘natural’, eat plenty of fruit, vegetables and legumes, reduce or eliminate flesh products and dairy, and do not add salt to anything. Take a daily walk. Learn to cook a healthy diet and BAN any fast-food or processed food. Supplements will not cure an unhealthy diet. They only contribute to a vitamin and mineral enriched sewage system of our bodies, because a large percentage of these supplements will not, or can not, be absorbed by our bodies. That is probably one of the reasons doctors are reluctant to advise them. You really don’t know how much you are getting and they can interfere with prescription medication by either reducing or increasing the effect of prescription medication.
Richard and Jim, Please both promise me that with Obamacare that the two of you go only to Prescribing Nurses. Then the rest of us can get appointments with real doctors…those with MD. Please please promise you two will go to the non-physicians.
i am not a doctor ,look if you have a headache if you take a supplement does your heacache stop? after how many hours. u take say any tablet/capsule for headache are u relieve? the answer is urs
Arginine seems to enhance muscle tone a little bit.
I take it as part if the Max Powers ‘Anabolic Stack’ and it Definite increases power when combined with those other ingredients in the stack. it is extremely obvious that it does relax blood vessels because my.. um.. thing.. becomes more vascular consistantally when taking this product. I googled this effect and found out than many male enhancement products contain around 2000 mg of L- arginine a day.
Other facts
-It is believed to increase levels of HGH or human growth hormone
-help make more nitric oxide which relaxes blood vessels.
+this may also help men sexually
-supports protein synthesis as it is involved in the transport and storage of nitrogen
-Never use after a heart attack
+A study was conducted on taking this product after a heart attack and 6 people died. None of the placebo group died.
I wouldnt just take arginine by itself – definite take it as part if the stack – my favorite is the Dr Max Powers anabolic stack – been using it for 3 years now…..
Do you realize how much arginine containing food one would have to eat to get a clinical, blood pressure affecting dosage of Arginine? I think it is safe to say that it would be nearly impossible! And the alternative of gaining tons of weight trying to do so would offset any benefit gained.
There are plenty of reputable supplement suppliers who offer pharmaceutical grade L-arginine powders and pills that can be taken in the clinical and effective dosage range. With very little calories, fats, sugars, etc.
I am once again appalled that Dr. Rowena does not suggest and/or support the supplementation of the diet with nutritional products.
Have heard that minimizing sugar in the diet has positive effect on high BP.
Salt, caffeine, alcohol, sugar, fats. Depends on the individual. But for many, the biggest part is played by heredity. To say you can fix the problem through your diet is just irresponsible. You can influence your health, but you can’t repair it solely by food choices.
I had very high blood pressure for years, as did my parents. I tried taking 1 capsule of L-Arginine (500mg) and 1 capsule Ginko Biloba (60mg) every morning and evening for three months.
Now my blood pressure is almost 120/70! I am a believer — this is supposed to remove the plaque in the blood vessels.
I had shingles before and took l arginine my doctor felt it caused a 2nd outbreak so be careful if you have had shingles, don’t try it.
This web site is all about selling their little machine that gives you biofeedback info. I would take any advice given by the Dr as not the complete answer and is geared to protect her === by telling you to consult your doc and then advertising her machine. Meditation is alot cheaper than that device and does the same thing. Her stand against all supplements is a shame because you cannot get everything from your food because of genetically engineered plants and the fact that you would have to eat about a bushel of some veggies to get what a supplement gives you.