A growing body of research confirms that if you have high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol or atherosclerosis L-Arginine (generated by L-Citrulline) can help by increasing the body's production of nitric oxide. This is accomplished through restoring the endothelium in the blood vessels and increase production of nitric oxide improves overall cardiovascular health. A number of scientific experiments done with subject who had varying levels of cholesterol have shown that supplementing one's diet with certain nitric oxide-boosting substances (i.e. L-Arginine, L-Citrulline, and antioxidants), can eliminate the state of oxidative stress on the arteries and reverse the progression of atherosclerosis (clogging or congestion of the arteries). L-Arginine, L-Citrulline and antioxidants clearly have benefits that specifically contribute to the heart and overall health.



Intravenous testing in medical studies has been done in an attempt to bypass the issues of L-Arginine absorption by the digestive system that arise. In these studies the theory that intravenous distribution would allow for better bodily distribution was tested and the results were dramatic. Less of the supplement was needed to achieve the same beneficial results as oral doses. The patients in these studies benefited from a lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure reading. Now, intravenous testing may yield incredible results, but most of us are unwilling to poke ourselves with a needle every night because that is the best way to get out L-Arginine. Therefore, the studies done on real people are the ones that most people are interested in hearing about.

Dozens of different studies looking into the effectiveness of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline have been done first on animals and then, when safe, tested with humans. In dozens of studies involving varying levels of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline and placebo medication, time and time again patients have benefited from improved blood pressure readings in as little as two weeks. In addition to the positive benefits to cardiovascular health, very few and in some cases absolutely no side effects were felt and no blood pressure medication or other medication was needed to achieve dramatic results. This is not to say that medication is no longer necessary or that those currently on blood pressure medication should abandon their medical regimen in exchange for taking an L-Arginine supplement, these results do however show that there are significant advantages to those who are not currently on blood pressure medication but can see their heart health deteriorating and who wish to take steps now to prevent the progression of heart disease in al its forms.

L-Arginine and L-Citrulline effectiveness has also been studied in combination with antioxidant supplements and the results from these studies is even more dramatic. The introduction of antioxidants to the already powerful effect of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline allows for these two supplements to better do their jobs because the antioxidants deactivate or neutralize the effects of the free radicals in the body, allowing for the easier production of nitric oxide. And nitric oxide production is the catalyst for improved blood flow and lower blood pressure. Furthermore, studies have shown that when the body has done a good job getting rid of a significant amount of free radicals, antioxidants can then restore the health of the cells that produce nitric oxide (the endothelial cells) and can create a better defense against future attacks on the system.