Supplementation with L-Arginine + Vitamin C has beneficial effects

Posted by searcher1 @searcher1, Mar 20 9:14am

This suggestion is for those that are not on any prescriptions or pain medicine that could interact with L-Arginine. You should do research on the possibility that L-Arginine could interact with your prescription or talk to your doctor. If you are on certain meds, especially blood thinners, you should not take L-Arginine.

I have had long covid since 9/22 with fatigue, breathing problems, muscle aches and brain fog. Those symptoms are gone, and I want to share what I have been taking.

I do not take any meds, a blessing. This year, I have been taking L-Arginine and L-Citrulline powder in water with vitamin C. L-Citrulline turns into L-Arginine in our bodies. I have been limiting them to a total of 6 grams a day. The upper combined limit is 10 grams a day. They create nitric oxide that helps the immune system and blood vessels.
There was a study in Europe that showed L-Arginine with 500 mg of vitamin C did help long covid symptoms, so I decided to try it. Here is a link:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9295384/
I did incur one problem. I was taking them with vitamin C capsules of 500 mg, which is a common dosage, and I found that taking 500 mg twice a day gave me bloating / stomach pain. I ordered a vitamin C powder and take 1/8 teaspoon of vitamin C (90mg) with each 8 oz glass of water with 3 grams of L-Citrulline powder. I have it first thing in the morning on an empty stomach (for absorption) and ½ hour before either lunch or supper (“empty stomach”). I sip it, not guzzle it, to go easy on the stomach.

L-Arginine does lower blood pressure, which is a plus for me. If you have low blood pressure, you should either not take it or talk to your doctor.
Below is an excerpt from an article on L-Arginine and L-Citrulline from Infinite Labs. Earlier this year, I was taking just L-Arginine. Now, I am taking just L-Citrulline and not doubling up as the article suggests. If the long covid symptoms return, I may double up, but within the combined limit of 10 grams total a day. If you try it, plan on taking it for weeks to a couple months before you see major improvement. It takes a while to work, but I am grateful to be relieved of the symptoms.

From Infinite Labs:
Nitric oxide is a molecule that helps to dilate blood vessels, allowing for improved blood flow to various parts of the body. Both L-arginine and L-citrulline are involved in the production of nitric oxide, with L-arginine being a precursor to nitric oxide and L-citrulline being converted to L-arginine in the body.
The improved blood flow that results from increased nitric oxide production can also help to lower blood pressure.
L-arginine and L-citrulline have been shown to have immunomodulatory effects, meaning they can help to regulate the immune system. This may be beneficial for people with autoimmune diseases or those who are looking to support their immune function.
What's more, the two supplements appear to work synergistically to promote better health and performance. Not only do citrulline supplements absorb more efficiently than arginine supplements, but they also increase nitric oxide more when taken together. Taking L-arginine and L-citrulline together supplies the body with both immediate L-arginine and its L-citrulline precursor for sustained benefits.
• Take L-citrulline first: L-citrulline is a precursor to L-arginine, so it's recommended to take it first. This allows the body to convert L-citrulline to L-arginine, which can then be used to produce nitric oxide.
• Take L-arginine next: Once L-citrulline has been converted to L-arginine, it's important to take L-arginine to ensure that there's enough available to produce nitric oxide. This can help improve blood flow and support cardiovascular health.
• Consider timing: It's best to take L-arginine and L-citrulline on an empty stomach to improve absorption.
https://infinitelabs.com/blogs/supplements/why-consider-taking-l-arginine-and-l-citrulline-together

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Great information. Thanks so much. I take no meds and seem to have the same symptoms as you plus a few more. I have had COVID twice and long covid for almost two years. Did you have any vaccinations? Just wondering.

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@klittr3637

Great information. Thanks so much. I take no meds and seem to have the same symptoms as you plus a few more. I have had COVID twice and long covid for almost two years. Did you have any vaccinations? Just wondering.

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I did have four vaccinations. The symptoms that I had after each shot continued since the last one in 9/22. I tested negative. I did have the post exertion malaise.
I do take a couple other supplements that you may wish to research. They are Carnitine and Creatine. They both fight fatigue. Carnitine helps the body turn fat into energy and is used to decrease fatigue with diseases like cancer and MS. Excerpt below from the National Library of Medicine:
“Dietary L-carnitine supplementation successfully has beneficial effects on the energy metabolism of the cells and related mechanisms in regeneration of muscles. Since the beneficial effects of this medication in relieving fatigue caused by diseases such as cancer, MS, etc. have been demonstrated, it can also be considered as a potential option for relieving the fatigue caused by COVID-19. “
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8667465/
Creatine is an amino acid that is a constituent of the muscles that stores energy used for muscular contraction.
“Among the often-mystifying, extended effects of COVID-19 is post-viral fatigue syndrome, or (PVFS). A small new study finds that dietary creatine may help alleviate its symptoms.
The study found that taking dietary creatine for three months substantially improved feelings of fatigue, and by six months, had produced improvements in body aches, breathing issues, loss of taste, headaches, and problems concentrating — or “brain fog” — compared to people given a placebo.”
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-creatine-supplements-help-people-with-long-covid
I am also taking Manuka honey with a rating of 300 from Australia (Whole Foods). It helps the immune system.

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@searcher1

I did have four vaccinations. The symptoms that I had after each shot continued since the last one in 9/22. I tested negative. I did have the post exertion malaise.
I do take a couple other supplements that you may wish to research. They are Carnitine and Creatine. They both fight fatigue. Carnitine helps the body turn fat into energy and is used to decrease fatigue with diseases like cancer and MS. Excerpt below from the National Library of Medicine:
“Dietary L-carnitine supplementation successfully has beneficial effects on the energy metabolism of the cells and related mechanisms in regeneration of muscles. Since the beneficial effects of this medication in relieving fatigue caused by diseases such as cancer, MS, etc. have been demonstrated, it can also be considered as a potential option for relieving the fatigue caused by COVID-19. “
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8667465/
Creatine is an amino acid that is a constituent of the muscles that stores energy used for muscular contraction.
“Among the often-mystifying, extended effects of COVID-19 is post-viral fatigue syndrome, or (PVFS). A small new study finds that dietary creatine may help alleviate its symptoms.
The study found that taking dietary creatine for three months substantially improved feelings of fatigue, and by six months, had produced improvements in body aches, breathing issues, loss of taste, headaches, and problems concentrating — or “brain fog” — compared to people given a placebo.”
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/can-creatine-supplements-help-people-with-long-covid
I am also taking Manuka honey with a rating of 300 from Australia (Whole Foods). It helps the immune system.

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I take lots of vitamins and minerals and reishi mushrooms for immune system. Do you think I should stop everything before I try your suggestions, which, after researching, make sense to me. I have had COVID twice, once Jan 2020 and then two Moderna vacs in Oct.2021. COVID again in May 2022. Very very sick! 🤢 Hoping your suggestions and research will help me. Thank you again.

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@klittr3637

I take lots of vitamins and minerals and reishi mushrooms for immune system. Do you think I should stop everything before I try your suggestions, which, after researching, make sense to me. I have had COVID twice, once Jan 2020 and then two Moderna vacs in Oct.2021. COVID again in May 2022. Very very sick! 🤢 Hoping your suggestions and research will help me. Thank you again.

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From Medicine Plus:
Reishi mushroom might lower blood pressure. Taking it with other supplements that have the same effect might cause blood pressure to drop too much. Examples of supplements with this effect include andrographis, casein peptides, L-arginine, niacin, and stinging nettle
https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/natural/905.html
From Web MD:
Interactions. If you take any medicines or supplements regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using arginine. They could interact with birth control medicines, hormone therapy drugs, blood thinners, some painkillers, and medicines for erectile dysfunction, heartburn, high blood pressure, and diabetes. Arginine could also interact with supplements like ginkgo biloba, garlic, Asian ginseng, and potassium.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/supplement-guide-l-arginine
I take a lot of general vitamins and supplements such as B vitamins, CoQ10, D3. K2, and many others. I have not had any problem with them interacting.

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I started taking arginine one of the annoying side effect for me was bloating and gas colic pain.

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@pattilhcovid27

I started taking arginine one of the annoying side effect for me was bloating and gas colic pain.

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From Healthline:
Overall, research has shown that L-arginine is safe and generally well tolerated when taken in supplement form, even when taken daily over long periods of 1 year or more (14Trusted Source).
However, it can cause unpleasant side effects, including bloating, abdominal pain, nausea, and diarrhea, especially when taken in large doses of 9 grams or more per day (1Trusted Source).
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/l-arginine#side-effects-precautions
I am staying at 6 grams of Citrulline per day, that turns into L-Arginine and have not had side effects.

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