5 Best L-Arginine Supplements 2024: Top Brand Reviews & Buying Guide
Updated on
- Written by Karla Tafra, Nutritionist
Medically reviewed by
Kathy Shattler, MS, RDN
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Life Extension L-Arginine Caps
- 700 milligrams (mg) per serving
- Gluten-free and without genetically modified organisms (non-GMO)
- Additional 10 mg Vitamin C
ONNIT Total Nitric Oxide
- Supports your body’s natural nitric oxide production
- Gluten-free, paleo, keto-friendly, soy-free
- Caffeine-free
15% Off Coupon: HEALTHCANAL15
Puritan’s Pride L-arginine 1000 mg
- 1000 mg of pure L-arginine per serving
- Sugar-free, Gluten-free, and free from any artificial ingredients
- Rapid release
Dietary supplements have become extremely popular in recent years and people started taking everything, from vitamins and minerals to adaptogens, specific amino acids, and nitric oxide supplements.
The food we eat today is depleted from macro and micronutrients, and we’re living extremely stressful lives that impair our nutrient absorption and digestive ability and cause inflammation. Dietary supplements help improve our overall health and longevity by eliminating deficiencies and supporting our bodies to thrive. L-arginine is one of them, and it’s become one of the best supplements to take for lowering your blood pressure, reducing your migraines, and even helping with erectile dysfunction.
Best L-Arginine Supplements on the market in (May. 2024)
- Life Extension L-Arginine Caps – Editor’s Choice
- ONNIT Total Nitric Oxide – Best for Athletes
- Puritan’s Pride L-arginine 1000 mg– Highest Free-Form Capsule Dose
- NOW Sports L-Arginine Powder – Best Pure Powder Form
- Doctor’s Best Pure L-Arginine Powder – Best Affordable
What Is L-Arginine?
L-arginine is an important amino acid that is involved in a myriad of processes, primarily in protein synthesis. It’s considered semi-essential as your body produces it, but it’s also important to be taken from outside sources, either through food or dietary supplements.
The L in L-arginine stands for “levorotatory[1],” which describes its chemical structure and shows it off as free or without being bound to any protein molecule. It also identifies L-arginine as being easily absorbed in your body, exactly because of its free form.
Amino acids are important building blocks of protein that’s a crucial macronutrient, responsible for thousands of body functions. Protein is required for everything from building and repairing muscle, tissue, and cells to digesting food and even breathing. It’s commonly used to promote circulation and is converted into nitric oxide, which causes our blood vessels to dilate.
L-arginine supplementation may be necessary for some people, especially those deficient in this amino acid, but most can get enough through their diet. Foods containing L-arginine include meat (especially red meat and poultry), fish, nuts and seeds, whole grains, legumes, and various dairy products.
Who Should Take L-Arginine?
Even though the research[2] on L-arginine is mixed, most people take this amino acid due to its ability to transform into nitric oxide and thus widen your blood vessels. Any type of substance that helps widen and open your arteries helps relieve your blood pressure and, with it, lowers your cholesterol and improves cardiovascular health over time, preventing heart disease.
Research[3] also shows its potential in reducing and relieving migraines and headaches, especially those associated with menstruation.
Additionally, some studies[4] show its positive effect on erectile dysfunction caused by physical factors, decreasing symptoms[5] of angina pectoris, and even preventing preeclampsia in pregnant women. It’s also popular with those looking to boost their workout performance and protein synthesis to increase muscle mass.
5 Best L-Arginine Supplements In 2024
Life Extension L-Arginine Caps
For those dealing with L-arginine deficiency or struggling to get it from their diet, Life Extension L-arginine Caps are convenient, efficient, and come with no side effects.
- 700 milligrams (mg) per serving
- Gluten-free and without genetically modified organisms (GMO)
- Additional 10 mg Vitamin C
- Some people state it works better when combined with L-citrulline
Containing no artificial ingredients and coming with complete transparency, Life Extension is a well-trusted supplement brand amongst consumers, naming it the number one catalog/internet brand for its potency, purity, and high quality.
Their L-arginine caps come with 700 mg per serving that arterial support health and healthy blood pressure levels and help maintain a healthy immune system, tissue, and bones. The product is suited for vegetarians, those following a gluten-free diet, and it’s free from GMOs and other artificial ingredients. This clean formula is one of the best L-arginine supplements you can find on the market, and it’s pretty inexpensive.
ONNIT Total Nitric Oxide
Designed with athletes in mind, ONNIT Total Nitric Oxide helps boost performance, build muscle, and aid recovery.
- Supports your body’s natural nitric oxide production
- Gluten-free, paleo, keto-friendly, soy-free
- Caffeine-free
- Informed-Choice
- Higher price point
- Contains a proprietary blend
ONNIT Total Nitric Oxide is a powerful dietary supplement that supports your body’s natural production of nitric oxide. Its formula contains 1.4 grams (g) of L-arginine, 3 g of L-citrulline, mango fruit powder, and fermented beet powder, which create a potent blend of ingredients that help promote muscle gain, enhance recovery, increase blood flow, and boost your athletic performance.
Nitric oxide pathways improve circulation and with it, increase the delivery of oxygen and other important nutrients to cells and tissues. This powerful L-arginine formula also helps promote cellular integrity and cardiovascular health, especially when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
ONNIT formula comes in a delicious harvest fruit flavor; it’s sweetened with natural stevia sweetener and contains no caffeine, so it’s safe for those sensitive to caffeine. It contains a proprietary formula, meaning you can’t tell the amounts of the ingredients in the blend.
Puritan’s Pride L-Arginine 1000 mg
Puritan’s Pride L-arginine is a powerful and pure L-arginine formula that contains 1000 mg per serving.
- 1000 milligram (mg) of pure L-arginine per serving
- Sugar-free, Gluten-free, and free from any artificial ingredients
- Rapid release
- Sodium-free
- One bottle lasts only 16 days
- Not suited for vegans
For those looking to overturn their L-arginine deficiency, Puritan’s Pride’s L-arginine capsules are a great, pure, and powerful option. Its formula contains 1000 mg of L-arginine per serving and comes with no artificial ingredients, fillers, additives, or sweeteners. It also contains no sugar, lactose, soy, wheat, or milk.
The brand has been known and well-trusted in the health and wellness field for over 45 years and prides itself on its production and manufacturing process that includes up to 15 inspections and testings, ensuring high-quality, potency, and purity.
Their L-arginine helps support your immune system and cardiovascular health, enhances the effect of exercise, and can serve as a source of cellular energy. Their price point is affordable, but when you consider that the bottle only lasts for 16 days, it might not be as affordable. They do offer bundle discounts, so it might be best to buy in bulk.
NOW Sports L-Arginine Powder
NOW Sports L-arginine Powder is a high-potent pharmaceutical-grade pure L-arginine powder, perfect for anyone and everyone looking to replenish their L-arginine stores.
- High-dose pure powder form
- Contains no other ingredients
- Produced in a good manufacturing practices (GMP) facility
- Higher price point
NOW Sports L-arginine Powder is a high-potent pharmaceutical-grade pure L-arginine powder that helps increase protein synthesis, promote muscle growth, as well as support the health of your blood vessels and, with it, your entire cardiovascular system.
One scoop contains six grams of pure L-arginine and zero other ingredients. It’s sold by weight and not volume and comes in two different options: one pound and 2.2 pounds. It’s unflavored and therefore ideal for mixing into any beverage of choice.
It’s important to note that you should use at least eight ounces (oz) of liquid to mix the powder. You should abstain from taking it if you’re pregnant, nursing, have a diagnosis of glaucoma, coronary artery disease, or herpes simplex, or you have a history of myocardial infarction.
Doctor’s Best Pure L-Arginine Powder
Doctor’s Best Pure L-arginine Powder is a large tub of pure L-arginine powder for those looking to replenish their stores. It’s affordable, clean, and potent.
- Six grams of L-arginine per serving
- No artificial ingredients, zero sugar, suited for vegans
- Unflavored
- Higher price point
Doctor’s Best Pure L-arginine Powder is a potent formula of high-quality L-arginine hydrogen chloride (HCL) powder that supports cardiovascular health, boosts your immune system, helps improve blood flow, and promotes protein synthesis.
It’s also used to treat erectile dysfunction and menstrual migraines, working with other amino acids to promote overall health and longevity. One scoop containing six grams of pure L-arginine should be mixed with at least eight oz water or any other beverage.
How We Ranked The Best L-Arginine Supplements
The best L-arginine supplements have a good combination of potency, purity, and high quality.. We tried to find the ones without any artificial ingredients, sweeteners, additives, preservatives, or thickening agents, as well as those products that will be suitable for any diet or nutritional preference.
We also looked for well-trusted and ranked supplement brands that produce a large variety of supplements through transparent production processes and comply with good manufacturing practices.
Benefits Of L-Arginine
L-arginine is popular for its transformation into nitric oxide, that’s important for a variety of functions in the human body, such as
- It dilates and relaxes blood vessels, thus improving blood flow and the transportation of oxygen and other important nutrients to your cells and tissues
- Dilating blood vessels which reduces your blood pressure, and with it cholesterol and risk of heart disease
- Relieving migraines and headaches, especially in women during menstruation
- Treating erectile dysfunction or its symptoms. Helping to boost athletic performance by delivering more oxygen and nutrients straight to your muscles
- Helping to increase muscle mass
- Improving heart health long-term; L-arginine might work better when combined with other micronutrients, such as vitamins B12 and B6
- Taken together, L-arginine and L-citrulline malate can significantly increase the production of nitric oxide, even at an overall lower dose than from either of these amino acids alone
Potential Side Effects
L-arginine is generally considered safe, but it does come with several possible[2] side effects which can become problematic if not anticipated and, planned for, The most common ones include:
- Bloating
- Low blood pressure
- An increased risk of bleeding due to increased blood flow
- An imbalance of potassium in your body
- A sudden drop and change in blood sugar levels, causing dizziness and fainting
L-Arginine Contraindications
Although generally safe, there is a group of people who shouldn’t be taking L-arginine in supplement form. Still, your specific situation might be different, and it’s important to consult your healthcare provider before taking an L-arginine supplement for the first time.
Those at risk for side effects and complications include:
- Pregnant and nursing mothers
- Those with a history of a heart attack
- Those with specific allergies and asthma
- Those with a diagnosis of glaucoma, coronary artery disease, or herpes simplex
- Those on specific medications such as blood thinners (aspirin and warfarin), diuretics, nitroglycerin, erectile dysfunction drugs, and diabetes medication. Those on high blood pressure medication should not take l-arginine.
Final Thought
Taking L-arginine supplements may be efficient for those deficient in this important amino acid. It produces nitric oxide and could have many health benefits for a variety of people dealing with heart issues.
Taking an L-arginine supplement may be great in reducing blood pressure, relieving the intensity of headaches, increasing muscle mass, as well as treating erectile dysfunction. It’s important to know whether or not you fall in the group of people who should abstain from taking L-arginine products and supplements and talk to your doctor beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
L-arginine HCL is an artificially created L-arginine supplement that has a hydrogen chloride molecule, making the supplement easier to digest and absorb by your digestive system.
For treating erectile dysfunction, a combination[6] of L-arginine and yohimbine hydrochloride seems to be the best approach. Additionally, combining it with Pycnogenol[7] might also yield positive results. Also, combining it with 5 mg of the prescription drug tadalafil[8] has shown some great results.
Yes, L-arginine can be taken every day[9], but if you start developing any side effects, talk to your doctor about stopping or taking a lower dose.
The recommended dosage of L-arginine is between six and 30 grams daily, with 30 grams being the maximum. If taken in pill form, the daily dose is usually divided into two or three smaller doses, but some powder forms deliver everything in one powerful scoop. It’s recommended not to exceed 30 grams of L-arginine per day, but the optimal dose for you might be different than the one recommended for the general public. Talk to your doctor about your specific situation and health needs.
+ 9 sources
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- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). L-Arginine Benefits, Uses & Side Effects. [online] Available at: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/drugs/22536-l-arginine
- Mayo Clinic. (2022). L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure? [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/l-arginine/faq-20058052#:~:text=The%20body%20changes%20L%2Darginine,who%20have%20a%20true%20deficiency.
- Gallai, V. and Sarchielli, P. (2000). Nitric oxide in primary headaches. The Journal of Headache and Pain, [online] 1(3), pp.145–154. doi:10.1007/s101940070036.
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). L-arginine. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-l-arginine/art-20364681#:~:text=Taking%20oral%20L%2Darginine%20might%20improve%20sexual%20function%20in%20men,people%20with%20this%20circulatory%20condition.
- Tripathi, P., Chandra, M. and Misra, M.K. (2009). Oral Administration of L-Arginine in Patients With Angina or Following Myocardial Infarction May Be Protective By Increasing Plasma Superoxide Dismutase and Total Thiols With Reduction in Serum Cholesterol and Xanthine Oxidase. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity, [online] 2(4), pp.231–237. doi:10.4161/oxim.2.4.9233.
- Akhondzadeh, S., Amiri, A. and Bagheri, A.H. (2010). Efficacy and Safety of Oral Combination of Yohimbine and L-arginine (SX) for the Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction: a multicenter, randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. Iranian journal of psychiatry, [online] 5(1), pp.1–3. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3430403/
- Journal of Sex &Marital Therapy. (2022). Treatment of Erectile Dysfunction with Pycnogenol and L-arginine. [online] Available at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00926230390155104
- Abu El‐Hamd, M. and Hegazy, E.M. (2020). Comparison of the clinical efficacy of daily use of L‐arginine, tadalafil and combined L‐arginine with tadalafil in the treatment of elderly patients with erectile dysfunction. Andrologia, [online] 52(7). doi:10.1111/and.13640.
- Mayo Clinic. (2021). L-arginine. [online] Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-l-arginine/art-20364681
Written by:
Karla Tafra, Nutritionist
Medically reviewed by:
Medically reviewed by:
