Supplementation with L-Arginine + Vitamin C has beneficial effects

Posted by searcher1 @searcher1, Mar 20, 2024

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.

@jeb1231

Thank you. Got my Arginine today…hoping for the best!

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Best of luck! I hope it helps.

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I'm taking somewhere between twenty to thirty-five or forty pills a day - a few more shouldn't hurt. 🙂

I'll check to see if L-arginine conflicts with any of the Rx drugs I'm taking, or my myriad of diseases and conditions - and if not, I'll give it a go.

At some point, however I'm a bit concerned that the admix might get a bit out of hand and that some rare interaction might cause an explosion. 🙂 🙂 🙂

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@chuckstran

I'm taking somewhere between twenty to thirty-five or forty pills a day - a few more shouldn't hurt. 🙂

I'll check to see if L-arginine conflicts with any of the Rx drugs I'm taking, or my myriad of diseases and conditions - and if not, I'll give it a go.

At some point, however I'm a bit concerned that the admix might get a bit out of hand and that some rare interaction might cause an explosion. 🙂 🙂 🙂

Jump to this post

Go to drugs.com and use their interaction checker.
https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

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@searcher1

Go to drugs.com and use their interaction checker.
https://www.drugs.com/drug_interactions.html

Jump to this post

Thanks for the source!

Saves my usual bouts of endless poking around...

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