L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure? (2024)

Can L-arginine supplements lower blood pressure?

Answer From Michelle Brodin, Pharm.D., R.Ph.

L-arginine (el-AHR-jih-nene) is an organic substance called an amino acid. Most often, your body makes all the L-arginine it needs. You also can get L-arginine through your diet in foods such as nuts, fish, red meat, soy, whole grains, beans and dairy products.

The body changes L-arginine to nitric oxide, a substance known to widen blood vessels. Some people take L-arginine supplements to relax and open arteries, which might help lower blood pressure. But L-arginine supplements are rarely needed. They may be more likely to benefit people who have too little of this amino acid. And because they can affect how some medicines work and worsen certain health conditions, they shouldn't be taken unless a healthcare professional recommends them.

Research on L-arginine has shown mixed results. The most recent research suggests that L-arginine may help lower blood pressure. It also may help people who have a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart. This is called pulmonary hypertension. The benefits for pulmonary hypertension have been shown in people who also have a disease of the red blood cells called sickle cell disease.

Some studies also suggest that short-term use of L-arginine infusions may lower high blood pressure during pregnancy. Infusions are given through a vein. L-arginine given by mouth or as an infusion is likely to be safe during pregnancy when used short term during the second and third trimesters.

One large review of studies looked at data on adults who took daily L-arginine supplements. Some of the adults had high blood pressure, and some did not. Overall, the adults lowered their bottom blood pressure number, called the diastolic pressure, by about 2.6 millimeters of mercury (mm Hg). And they lowered their top blood pressure number, called the systolic pressure, by about 6.4 mm Hg. The researchers linked the benefits with taking less than 9 grams of L-arginine a day for 4 to 24 days. But more research is needed to assess the effects of taking this supplement long-term.

When it comes to heart health, L-arginine may work better when combined with other vitamins, such as vitamins B-6 and B-12. But larger, more robust studies are needed to confirm these findings before experts can recommend everyday use of these supplements.

L-arginine-medicine interactions

It's important to know that L-arginine supplements can affect the way some medicines work, such as:

Who shouldn't take L-arginine

Don't take L-arginine if you've had a heart attack. There are concerns that the supplement might raise the risk of death.

L-arginine supplements can make allergies and asthma worse. Use with caution.

Don't take L-arginine supplements if you've had cold sores or genital herpes. Too much L-arginine in your system can make the virus that causes those conditions become active again.

Also, don't take L-arginine if you have kidney disease. It may disturb the balance of important minerals in the body called electrolytes. Use of L-arginine has also caused deadly irregular heart rhythms in some people who have problems with kidney function or kidney failure.

If you're scheduled to get surgery, tell your healthcare professional if you take L-arginine. You'll likely be told to stop taking the supplement at least two weeks before your procedure.

Talk to your healthcare professional about supplements

A healthy diet and regular exercise are among the best ways to keep your blood pressure healthy. If you're thinking about taking an herbal or dietary supplement, such as L-arginine, talk with your healthcare professional first. Some supplements can affect how blood pressure medicines work or make certain health conditions worse.

With

Michelle Brodin, Pharm.D., R.Ph.

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USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 28. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. http://ndb.nal.usda.gov. Accessed Jan. 25, 2021.
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L-arginine. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Nov. 2, 2023.
Gambardella J, et al. Arginine and endothelial function. Biomedicines. 2020; doi:10.3390/biomedicines8080277.
Zang H, et al. L-Arginine ameliorates high-fat diet-induced atherosclerosis by downregulating mir-221. Biomed Research International. 2020; doi:10.1155/2020/4291327.
L-arginine. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements-l-arginine/art-20364681. Accessed Jan. 26, 2021.
Shiraseb F, et al. Effect of L-Arginine supplementation on blood pressure in adults: A systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Advances in Nutrition. 2022; doi:10.1093/advances/nmab155.
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FAQs

L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure? ›

Some research has shown that oral L-arginine can lower blood pressure in healthy people, people with mild blood pressure elevation and diabetes, and in people with a type of high blood pressure that affects the arteries in the lungs and the right side of the heart (pulmonary hypertension).

Get More Info ›

How much L-arginine should I take to lower blood pressure? ›

And they lowered their top blood pressure number, called the systolic pressure, by about 6.4 mm Hg. The researchers linked the benefits with taking less than 9 grams of L-arginine a day for 4 to 24 days. But more research is needed to assess the effects of taking this supplement long-term.

Keep Reading ›

Can L-arginine replace blood pressure meds? ›

Although there is insufficient evidence to support L-arginine supplements for treating high blood pressure, it can be safe for some people. As with any medication or supplement, be sure to talk to your doctor before taking L-arginine. Craig O.

Explore More ›

Can you take L-arginine with low blood pressure? ›

Risks. If you have any medical conditions -- like cancer, asthma, allergies, liver or kidney problems, low blood pressure, sickle cell disease, or a bleeding disorder -- or have had a heart attack, don't take arginine without talking to a doctor first.

Keep Reading ›

What is the best supplement to lower blood pressure? ›

Magnesium, vitamin D, and potassium are just a few of the many supplements that may help lower high blood pressure. Over 30% of the world's population has high blood pressure, which is considered the leading modifiable risk factor for heart disease and early death ( 1 ).

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What happens if I take L-arginine every day? ›

Taking L-arginine as a supplement can benefit the heart and muscles, but it may cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhea, and bloating. L-arginine is one of many amino acids the body needs to function properly. Like other amino acids, L-arginine plays a role in building protein.

Learn More ›

Does nitric oxide really lower blood pressure? ›

It's a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes the inner muscles of your blood vessels, causing the vessels to widen. In this way, nitric oxide increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure ( 2 ). Supplements that increase nitric oxide in the body make up one of the most popular supplement categories today.

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What is the downside of L-arginine? ›

L-arginine can worsen allergies or asthma. Use the supplement with caution if you have these conditions. Be careful about taking L-arginine if you've had cold sores or genital herpes. Too much L-arginine in your system can potentially trigger the virus that causes those conditions.

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Is it safe to take 1000mg of L-arginine daily? ›

Although higher doses are often used in research and clinical settings, it's recommended that daily dosing of L-arginine be kept under 9 grams per day to avoid potential gastrointestinal side effects, including nausea, diarrhea, and bloating.

Read On ›

Can L-arginine clean arteries? ›

Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation. Some evidence shows that arginine may help improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart. That may improve symptoms of clogged arteries, chest pain or angina, and coronary artery disease.

Explore More ›

Does L-arginine raise heart rate? ›

L‐Arginine reduces heart rate and improves hemodynamics in severe congestive heart failure.

L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure? (2024)

Can L-arginine supplements lower blood pressure?

L-arginine-medicine interactions

Who shouldn't take L-arginine

Talk to your healthcare professional about supplements

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L-arginine: Does it lower blood pressure? ›

Does L-arginine raise heart rate? ›

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