Growing clinical evidence indicates that dietary L-arginine supplementation can reduce obesity, decrease arterial blood pressure, resist oxidation and normalize endothelial dysfunction to cause remission of type 2 diabetes. The potential molecular mechanism plays a role in modulating glucose homeostasis, promoting lipolysis, maintaining hormone level, ameliorating insulin resistance, and fetal programing in early stage.

The possible signaling pathway of the beneficial effects of L-arginine likely involves L-arginine-nitric oxide pathway through which cell signal protein can be activated. Accumulating studies have indicated that L-arginine may have potential to prevent and/or relieve type 2 diabetes via restoring insulin sensitivity in-vivo.

L-ARGININE: ANTI-AGING PILOT STUDIE

In an open-label randomised limited study conducted by the author, 5 g/day l-arginine base was administered orally once at night for 28 days in 21 subjects with age ranging between 41 and 75 years old (14 between 41 and 49 years, 4 between 50 and 59 years, 2 between 60 and 69 years, and 1 between 70 and 79 years), 16 were males and 5 females, 17 were non-smokers and 4 smokers, and 18 of the 21 subjects were taking other medications to control either hypertension, myocardial ischemia, diabetes, gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and hyperacidity, hypothyroidism, neuritis, or rheumatoid. All recruited subjects gave written informed consent that complied with the principles of the Helsinki declaration.

A questionnaire was given to the subjects to be completed weekly for 4 weeks. The subjects were advised to write their health status before and after taking l-arginine. The questionnaire included 30 points regarding their mental, muscular, sexual, circulatory, GIT, and other functions during the 4-week administration. Scoring was recorded from 1 to 5; 1 was a remarkable improvement, 2 was a mild improvement, 3 no difference, 4 was worse than before, and 5 was not applicable.

The subjects were also advised to report any adverse reactions developed during the administration of the supplement. In addition, they were asked if they wanted to continue taking the supplement after termination of the study. Tables 4 and 5 summarise the most noteworthy information of this pilot study.

Table 5. Additional observations at the end of the 4-week study reported by some subjects.

1. Adjustment of blood pressure in mild hypertension.
2. High energy, especially in the morning w hen waking up.
3. Clear mind.
4. Stamina and resistance to depression and anxiety.
5. Increase in urine output.
6. Improvement of hair and nail growth and hardness.
7. Improvement of skin texture and appearance.
8. Increase in night dreams.
9. Improvement of circulation and temperature of extremities.
10. Reduction of hyperacidity.
11. Overall improvement of GIT system and defecation.
12. Improvement of most vital activities greatly affected in diabetics, including: reduction of neuritis, improvement of glucose metabolism, enhancement of libido and sexual performance and adjustment of body weight.

At the end of the study, none of the 21 cases experienced any side effects or aggravation of health problems from l-arginine administration. All the 21 cases wanted to continue taking the supplement after termination of the study.              Source