Considering the addition of l-arginine into your routine? This supplement is a great way to boost athletic performance and combat high blood pressure. This supplement comes in a variety of forms, however, and that can make it difficult to choose which one is right for you. In this article, we will discuss some of the benefits of l-arginine, as well as the differences between taking it through a moisturizing cream or a powder.
What is L-Arginine?
L-arginine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body. It is found in our diet, especially in meats and dairy, and can be supplemented with a topical or oral product. Recent studies show promising results for taking l-arginine supplements for muscle building, increased athletic performance, and better blood flow.
What does it do?
L-arginine gets converted into a molecule called nitric oxide and encourages the release of growth hormones. Nitric oxide increases the flow of blood and oxygen throughout the body.
Some evidence suggests that taking an l-arginine supplement increases the levels of nitric oxide in the body, as well as the number of growth hormones when exercising.
Muscle Growth
L-arginine is involved in the body’s synthesis of most proteins. Alongside that, it helps the body release growth hormones while working out. Together, the two contribute to creating toned and lean muscles when working out.
Endurance
Increased blood flow to your muscles increases the amount of oxygen and nutrients they get — both important to energy and muscle endurance. L-arginine creates nitric oxide which in turn increases your blood flow.
L-arginine supplements can increase muscle endurance, and the increased blood flow can reduce muscle damage and soreness from working out.
Immune System
L-arginine also aids in the development of T-cells, which are white blood cells. These are important in the immune system’s responses, keeping you safer from cold or other illnesses.
High Blood Pressure
L-arginine is often used to help combat high blood pressure. Taking it orally has proved to reduce blood pressure in a variety of people.
L-Arginine Cream
L-arginine cream is a popular topical application for l-arginine supplements. It provides a similar range of benefits as oral supplements, but it is more efficient in different areas than an oral supplement is.
L-arginine cream excels in smaller, more targeted applications and uses.
Absorption Through Skin
L-arginine can be absorbed topically. Its ability to affect the body topically and orally opens up these options — the most popular forms of arginine supplementation are a topical cream, and oral capsules or powder.
When ingesting arginine orally, it has to be digested and distributed throughout the body. It takes more time to circulate and affect the whole body, where applying it topically brings it straight to the affected area.
It is overall a faster, more targeted way to supplement arginine than taking it orally.
Increasing circulation
The topical application of arginine cream helps relax blood vessels, improving blood flow. Increasing circulation warms cold extremities like hands and feet. Dressing appropriately for the weather is still recommended!
Targeting a Location
Using L-Arginine cream allows you to place it in a specific location as opposed to it being absorbed in the stomach. Applying cream to your hands, for example, brings the arginine straight there and focuses its effect on that particular area.
Using arginine cream to target a location can be effective for single areas of effect, but can become less and less efficient when areas get larger. Having to apply arginine cream over your entire body is not its intended use!
L-Arginine Powder
L-arginine Powder is a great way to supplement arginine in the body. The presence of arginine creates nitric oxide and increases blood flow, increasing the delivery of oxygen and the removal of carbon dioxide in the affected area. These positive effects make topical application of l-arginine cream useful for localized muscle recovery.
However, oral arginine supplements are often higher doses than their topical counterparts. The body can ingest more l-arginine than it can absorb through your skin, giving it a different set of strengths in the body.
Better for Athletic Performance
L-arginine cream, while able to increase blood flow when applied, is much less efficient for exercising than arginine powder is. Arginine powder spreads its effectiveness equally throughout the whole body.
The dosage of arginine powder increases its effectiveness throughout a workout. Where topical cream can target a specific area, taking the powder supplement is more practical for activities like this.
Easier to Take
L-arginine powdered supplements are an easy addition to your daily routine! It is easy to dissolve this powdered supplement into your morning coffee or a daily smoothie, and if you are short on time you can mix it with a glass of water.
Distributed Throughout the Entire Body
The biggest difference between l-arginine cream and powder is the affected area. Applying any amount of arginine cream will only affect the area it is in contact with, where taking a powder supplement will digest and get distributed throughout your entire body.
This widespread distribution of l-arginine to all parts of the body allows blood to flow more effectively, increasing the quality of your workouts.
Is L-Arginine Right for You?
When used correctly, l-arginine can provide a great boost to your daily routine. If you are interested in trying l-arginine, consider Dr. Emil Nutrition’s Arginine 3000. As with any supplement, be sure to discuss its potential addition with your healthcare provider. They can inform you about any interactions this supplement may have with other supplements, herbal remedies, prescription medications, or over-the-counter medications. Before trying l-arginine, make sure to consult with your doctor to make sure this supplement is right for you.
