Amino acids and their significance for virility and libido
The intake of specific individual amino acids can stimulate and boost biological processes that are related to virility and sexual performance.1
Arginine and ornithine are the key amino acids in such cases. As precursors of nitric oxide, a molecule of which the far-reaching and remarkable effects on the body were only recently discovered (and for which a Nobel Prize was awarded in 19982), they have remarkable effects on the human body. Increasing the arginine intake increases the nitric oxide level in the blood. This results, among other things, in a relaxation of the blood vessel walls and thus in improved blood circulation in general, and also in the penis.3
Although the stimulating effect of the amino acid arginine on sexual performance has been known for a while, it only came into the spotlight as a result of discussions on the well-known drugs to treat erectile dysfunction. Indeed, it has a similar effect, but is much cheaper and practically free of side effects.4
Arginine elevates the concentration of nitric oxide, which increases the arterial elasticity thus reducing the blood pressure and improving erectile processes.5
In contrast to the well-known chemically based pills to treat erectile dysfunction, arginine does not act immediately – the effect on virility becomes apparent after a few days; however, with the advantage that taking arginine is not associated with harmful side effects.4
The effects of arginine are highly diverse and beneficial:
- improved erectile rigidity due to nitrogen retention6
- improved blood flow due to relaxation of the blood vessel walls7
- lowering of high blood pressure (and thus a worthwhile alternative to beta blockers and calcium antagonists that cause erectile dysfunction8
Ornithine is degraded to arginine in the body. However, as it is degraded more slowly, its effects last longer. Ornithine is therefore the perfect complement to arginine.
Arginine and ornithine are usually synthesised in the bodies of healthy adults and are thus in adequate supply. However, if the production of these amino acids is disturbed by pathological changes or stress-related factors, the diet should be supplemented with foods containing arginine and ornithine.9
These amino acids are found in fish, meat, dairy products, nuts, rice, soybeans and wheat. Arginine and ornithine are also available as tablets, powders and even capsules. Particularly effective are combination products that contain other nutrients such as zinc, vitamin B and/or biotin.
Arginine – for an active love life
Pharmacologists at the Hanover Medical School have studied the effect on patients with erectile dysfunction. “Initial evaluations indicate positive effects”, says head researcher Prof. Dirk Stichtenoth from the Institute for Clinical Pharmacology. Seventy volunteers received daily doses of arginine for four weeks and then placebos for another four weeks. The results of the study have been submitted to a medical journal for publication.
“At present there are no approved medicinal products for the treatment of erectile dysfunction containing arginine. This would require further studies. Arginine has only been available to date as a food supplement,” says the pharmacologist.10
Sources
1 Williams, J.Z., Abumrad, N. & Barbul, A. (2002) Effect of a Specialized Amino Acid Mixture on Human Collagen Deposition Annals of Surgery, Volume 236, issue 3, (pp. 369 – 375)
2 Furchgott, R.F., Ignarro, L.J. & Murad, F. (1998) Für ihre Arbeiten über die Rolle von Stickoxid als Signalstoff im Herz-Kreislauf-System Medizin-Nobelpreis
3 Chen, I., Wollman, Y., Chernichovsky, T., Iaina, A., Sofer, M., & Matzkin, H. (2001) Effect of oral administration of high-dose nitric oxide donor l-arginine in men with organic erectile dysfunction: results of a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study BJU International, Volume 83, issue 3, (pp. 269-273)
4 Wolf, A., Zalpour, C., Theilmeier, G., Wang, B.Y., Ma, A., Anderson, B., Tsao, P.S. & Cooke, J.P. (1996) Dietary L-Arginine Supplementation Normalizes Platelet Aggregation in Hypercholesterolemic Humans Clinical Studies, The American College of Cardiology
5 Jung, H.C., Mun, K.H., Park, T.C., Lee, Y.C., Park, J.M., Huh, K., Seongh, D.H. & Suh, J.K. (1997) Role of nitric oxide in penile erection Yonsei Medical Journal, Volume 38, issue 5, (pp. 261-269)
6 Moody, J.A., Vernet, D., Laidlaw, S., Rajfer, J. & Gonzalez-Cadavid, F. (1997) Effects of long-term oral administration of L-arginine on the erectile response The Journal of Urology, Volume 158 (pp. 942-947)
7 Chauhan, A., More, R.S., Mullins, P.A., Taylor, G., Petch, M.C. & Schofield, P.M. (1996) Aging-Associated Endothelial Dysfunction in Humans Is Reversed by L-Arginine Journal of American College of Cardiology, Volume 28, issue 7, (pp. 1796-1804)
8 Palloshi, A., Fragasso, G., Piatti, P., Monti, L.D., Setola, E., Valsecchi, G., Galuccio, E., Chierchia, S.L. & Margonato, A. (2004) Effect of Oral L-arginine on Blood Pressure and Symptoms and Endothelial Function in Patients With Systemic Hypertension, Positive Exercise Tests, and Normal Coronary Arteries The American Journal of Cardiology, Volume 93 (pp. 933-935)
9 Wu, G.A.B., Meininger, C.J., Knabe, D.A., Baze, F.W.A. & Rhoads, J.M. (2000) Arginine nutrition in development, health and disease Current Opinion in Clinical Nutrition & Metabolic Care, Volume 3, issue 1, (pp. 59-66)
10 Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk (MDR) (2008) Hauptsache Gesund Informationsmaterial vom 10.04.2008