The Use of L-Arginine in Hypertension: An Educational Article and Expert Opinion

Abstract

Background: Impairment of endothelium-dependent vasodilation has been increasingly recognized as an important contributor for the development of essential hypertension’s-arginine is an amino acid that is considered the biological precursor of nitric oxide which is an important contributor to microvascular vasodilation and to the reduction atherosclerosis. L-arginine has been recognized as safe (GRAS-status) when taken in an oral dose of up to 20 g daily. Patients and Methods: A 49-year male patient was recently found to be hypertensive on a routine check, and was advised to take an antihypertensive medication, but he requested treatment with health supplement initially to avoid the development of impotence attributed to antihypertensive medications. Results: The patient was recently found to be hypertensive on a routine check (Blood pressure: 160/110 mmHg), and was advised to take an antihypertensive medication, but he requested treatment with health supplement initially to avoid the development of impotence attributed to antihypertensive medications. The patient was treated with a unique approach under close supervision to avoid the development of hypertensive complication. He received oral l-arginine 3g daily before breakfast taken with lemon juice for its antioxidant vitamin C content. Within less than one week, his blood pressure normalized (Blood pressure: 135/85 mmHg). Conclusion: Oral L-arginine has been emerging as a new effective approach of reducing blood through improving endothelial function in hypertensive patients. This paper reports the successful treatment of hypertension with L-arginine.