7 Best L-Arginine Supplements (2024) Reviewed and Compared
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Posted by
Kelly McGeehan
If you’re looking for a supplement that can enhance your performance in the gym and the bedroom, L-arginine might be the answer to your prayers.
Often compared to the popular pre-workout supplement L-citrulline, L-arginine is gaining attention for its potential to lower blood pressure, improve athletic performance, and help treat erectile dysfunction. We look into whether these claims have any basis, if this amino acid is worth the hype, and the best L-arginine supplements on the market.
What is L-arginine?
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid, meaning that it is essential in certain cases, like infancy, pregnancy, trauma, and critical illness.
It contributes to nitric oxide production, which is necessary for important bodily functions like blood flow regulation. It also contributes to the development of white blood cells, which play a vital role in supporting the immune system.
In the body, L-arginine contributes to so many essential roles that a deficiency could impair immune function and cause other health complications.
Why Should You Take an L-arginine Supplement?
L-arginine has an array of potential health benefits.
1- L-arginine might improve athletic performance.
L-arginine increases nitric oxide in the body, which can increase blood flow to the muscles. Due to this, L-arginine is believed to enhance endurance and athletic performance.
One study showed, for example, that soccer players who took two grams of L-arginine every day demonstrated enhanced sports performance compared to the placebo group. In another study, men who took six grams of L-arginine before exercising experienced increased nitric oxide levels and improved endurance levels.
However, similar studies found no relationship between L-arginine and athletic performance.
2- It may help regulate blood pressure.
Because of L-arginine’s role in nitric oxide production, which relaxes the blood vessels and improves circulation, it might help lower blood pressure.
The science behind this claim is promising, as many studies have found that L-arginine supplementation can reduce blood pressure in individuals with a history of high blood pressure. This could, as a result, improve heart health.
3- It may help with erectile dysfunction.
Because L-arginine helps the blood vessels relax and improves circulation, it is speculated to help treat erectile dysfunction.
Various studies support this, having found that men who took L-arginine supplements experienced improved erectile dysfunction symptoms compared to the placebo group.
If you’re specifically looking for pre-workout supplements that promise muscle growth, you might be better off opting for a supplement like L-citrulline. However, if you’re looking for a supplement that can improve blood flow and enhance your overall well-being, an L-arginine is worth the try.
The Best L-Arginine Supplements in 2024
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Jarrow Formulas Arginine
Price: From $13.00
Jarrows Formula Arginine is the best bang for your buck. It meets USP standards, which ensures you’re getting a quality product. With 100 tablets, you can find the best dosage for you without worrying about running out of capsules too quickly. It’s suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets and is gluten-free. Each serving contains 1000 mg of pure L-arginine.
2) Natrol L-Arginine
Price: From $13.40
Natrol L-Arginine is a great option if you’re looking for an L-arginine supplement with added perks. In addition to 1000 mg of L-arginine, each capsule contains 10 mg of B-6 and 50 mcg of B-12, which both support metabolism and immune health.
The suggested dose for Natrol L-Arginine is three tablets per day, which can be inconvenient for everyday use. However, if you don’t plan on taking 3000 mg of L-arginine every day, this supplement can offer a two to three month supply.
3) NOW Foods Double Strength L-Arginine
Price: From $19.12
Now Foods Double Strength L-Arginine is a convenient and cost-effective option. Each bottle offers a four month supply with 120 1000 mg servings. It’s suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets and is free of gluten, soy, tree nuts, and dairy.
4) Purebulk L-Arginine HCL Powder
Price: From $8.25
If you prefer powder-based supplements, PureBulk’s L-Arginine HCL powder is the way to go. You can add it to virtually any beverage, and you get to pick the quantity of L-arginine you want.
All of PureBulk’s supplements are third-party tested for quality. Plus, its L-arginine is free of sugar, gluten, dairy, and additives. It’s also vegan-friendly. Each serving contains 1500 mg of L-arginine.
5) 21st Century L-Arginine
Price: From $12.01
21st Century L-Arginine is a quality supplement at a super affordable cost. It’s made free of gluten, sugar, preservatives, and artificial flavors. Each bottle contains 100 servings if taking one 1000 mg capsule per day.
6) Life Extension L-Arginine
Price: From $20.25
Life Extension L-Arginine is a cost-effective supplement with additional perks. Each serving contains 700 mg of L-arginine and 10 mg of vitamin C, which is believed to support immune health. It’s also gluten-free.
The one downside is that each capsule contains only 700 mg of L-arginine, so you’ll likely need to take two each day to get its benefits. However, with 200 capsules, you’re still getting a lot of value at an affordable price.
7) California Gold Nutrition L-Arginine
Price: From $4.25
With its transparent third-party testing and 100% money-back guarantee, California Gold Nutrition L-Arginine is a reliable supplement with high-quality ingredients. It contains 30 1000 mg servings and is gluten and soy-free.
The main downside of this product is that each capsule only contains 500 mg of L-arginine, which is much lower than the other options on our list. However, at such a low price point, it might be worth stocking up on a few bottles.
How We Ranked
Although we ranked these supplements, we want you to decide on the best product for you.
Here’s what we took into consideration when ranking these products.
Strict Testing Standards
The supplement industry isn’t FDA-regulated, making finding a reputable supplement challenging.
That’s why we only select companies that adhere to Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations and have their products third-party tested.
Ingredients
Most research on the benefits of L-arginine used 1000 to 3000 mg in their studies, so we looked for products with dosages in that range. We also considered additional ingredients that might enhance L-arginine’s effects.
Value
Look, being healthy isn’t cheap. That’s why we selected high-quality products that won’t hurt your wallet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any drawbacks?
L-arginine is considered a safe and well-tolerated supplement, even when taken in large doses of nine grams or more and over long periods of time. It might cause mild side effects like abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, and bloating. If you take medications or have a pre-existing medical condition, you should consult a healthcare professional before trying L-arginine.
How much L-arginine should I take?
Most L-arginine supplements contain around one to three grams per serving. It’s not recommended to take more than nine grams of L-arginine per day.
