Hi Walter! Yes, L-arginine is good for all. But in short intervals. It builds up in kidneys. I took it when I was bodybuilding. This is what my doctor told me a long time ago. I took it in my 20’s i am 56 now, I would do a whole amino acid supplement. They all act together.
Excellent for repairing while recovering. It’s a catalyst for L-glutamine. Again, in low doses. Like a week on a week off. I learned the hard way. I got a kidney infection. But it works and with food protein! Wow! 👍🏻🥰 ( it built my muscle fast) please be careful when taking.
I'm not sure if I recall any substack author mentioning citrulline malate, though I know Dr Grouf use L-citrulline in his protocols. L-arginine is commonly mentioned. Citrulline malate is often used in weightlifting and bodybuilding and is a precursor to L-arginine. Some trials have found it is more effective at raising blood arginine levels then taking arginine directly.
Citrulline would have similar concerns to arginine. They are both part of the urea cycle and are metabolized in the kidneys. If you have healthy kidneys, then it is safe. Citrulline does produce less gastrointestinal issues generally. I believe it is wise to cycle any supplement however, and re-assess if you feel the benefits are worth it regularly.
Yes, I have wondered about kidney function as one of possible drawbacks with high protein (carnivore) diets. Now I can see why. It is the L-Arginine that has potential to make it a kidney problem. Thanks for the great post.
I have looked at both the vegetarian and vegan diets as well as the Carnivore diets but have felt the best for me is an omnivore diet. It is the quality of the inputs as I get older that concerns me the most. I am still to heavy on carbs - love breads too much.
With metabolic diseases like diabetes or with cancer or heart disease, proportions of the key food groups might need to be varied to help manage disease outcome, but humans are definitely omnivores when you look at the type of dentition we have.
Our pharmacology professor warned us to be wary of surrogate measurements.
In 98.7% of medicine (I made up that number but it is close!) we rely on surrogate measurements, ie blood levels. Short of Shylock in Shakespeare few of us are willing to donate a pound of flesh for proper tissue measurements. Autopsy studies are rare and in any event do not necessarily reflect vital functional concentrations.
The interactions and combinations let alone the stoichiometric interactions of nutrients and deficiencies are not well appreciated. For extra consideration each human has a different environment and genetic background. I calibrated myself and found that 4000 units of Vit D3 through the winter gave a similar blood level as 2 hours reading on the beach May-September. (Your mileage will vary.) With the Vit. D there are known interactions with Vit. K2 for bone metabolism, zinc for immune function, and Calcium and magnesium. I am working hard on appreciating 11-dimensional matrix math but it does not seem to be easy.
The same pharmacology professor had advice: "Test on 15 subjects, you will know if it works." The other hand requires 100,000 subjects to assess the problems!
So we revert to observational analysis and case reports. Do not ignore these and remember that each treatment has a 40% placebo effect and an individual result. Two years of a subtherapeutic dose of glucosamine did nothing noticeable for me. I quit. Would you have increased the dose and tried for ten years?
I can't thank you enough for this work - hell, for all of your work. This seems particularly compelling to me. Beyond its utility, it also clearly illustrates all of life's enveloping, delicate dance with nature. As always, have a great weekend!
Thanks for this. It helps me to just increase my understanding of L-Arginine and what it does in the body both beneficial and dangers. Not something I have taken as a supplement but it is good to know the foods that contain it.
Hi Walter! Yes, L-arginine is good for all. But in short intervals. It builds up in kidneys. I took it when I was bodybuilding. This is what my doctor told me a long time ago. I took it in my 20’s i am 56 now, I would do a whole amino acid supplement. They all act together.
Excellent for repairing while recovering. It’s a catalyst for L-glutamine. Again, in low doses. Like a week on a week off. I learned the hard way. I got a kidney infection. But it works and with food protein! Wow! 👍🏻🥰 ( it built my muscle fast) please be careful when taking.
L-arginine has low bioavailability, so citrulline malate is a better bang for your buck.
Was it Walter or MidWest Doctor who wrote about citrulline malate. I became fascinated by this as well
I'm not sure if I recall any substack author mentioning citrulline malate, though I know Dr Grouf use L-citrulline in his protocols. L-arginine is commonly mentioned. Citrulline malate is often used in weightlifting and bodybuilding and is a precursor to L-arginine. Some trials have found it is more effective at raising blood arginine levels then taking arginine directly.
Citruline is safe and can be taken long term?
Citrulline would have similar concerns to arginine. They are both part of the urea cycle and are metabolized in the kidneys. If you have healthy kidneys, then it is safe. Citrulline does produce less gastrointestinal issues generally. I believe it is wise to cycle any supplement however, and re-assess if you feel the benefits are worth it regularly.
Yes, I have wondered about kidney function as one of possible drawbacks with high protein (carnivore) diets. Now I can see why. It is the L-Arginine that has potential to make it a kidney problem. Thanks for the great post.
I have looked at both the vegetarian and vegan diets as well as the Carnivore diets but have felt the best for me is an omnivore diet. It is the quality of the inputs as I get older that concerns me the most. I am still to heavy on carbs - love breads too much.
With metabolic diseases like diabetes or with cancer or heart disease, proportions of the key food groups might need to be varied to help manage disease outcome, but humans are definitely omnivores when you look at the type of dentition we have.
In all of this it is a matter of balance.
Our pharmacology professor warned us to be wary of surrogate measurements.
In 98.7% of medicine (I made up that number but it is close!) we rely on surrogate measurements, ie blood levels. Short of Shylock in Shakespeare few of us are willing to donate a pound of flesh for proper tissue measurements. Autopsy studies are rare and in any event do not necessarily reflect vital functional concentrations.
The interactions and combinations let alone the stoichiometric interactions of nutrients and deficiencies are not well appreciated. For extra consideration each human has a different environment and genetic background. I calibrated myself and found that 4000 units of Vit D3 through the winter gave a similar blood level as 2 hours reading on the beach May-September. (Your mileage will vary.) With the Vit. D there are known interactions with Vit. K2 for bone metabolism, zinc for immune function, and Calcium and magnesium. I am working hard on appreciating 11-dimensional matrix math but it does not seem to be easy.
The same pharmacology professor had advice: "Test on 15 subjects, you will know if it works." The other hand requires 100,000 subjects to assess the problems!
So we revert to observational analysis and case reports. Do not ignore these and remember that each treatment has a 40% placebo effect and an individual result. Two years of a subtherapeutic dose of glucosamine did nothing noticeable for me. I quit. Would you have increased the dose and tried for ten years?
The real trick is to notice the side effects.
Radio host Michael Savage recommends l-arginine to lower blood pressure. Like everything else, it’s a calculated risk.
Thank you Walter! As usual, I learned a significant amount
I can't thank you enough for this work - hell, for all of your work. This seems particularly compelling to me. Beyond its utility, it also clearly illustrates all of life's enveloping, delicate dance with nature. As always, have a great weekend!
Thanks for this. It helps me to just increase my understanding of L-Arginine and what it does in the body both beneficial and dangers. Not something I have taken as a supplement but it is good to know the foods that contain it.
Yeah, I have already taken this every day for the last 2 years! Thank you, Walter!