Role and Effect of L-Citrulline in Sports Supplements
L-citrulline is what we call a non-essential amino acid. Not essential because the body can produce this amino acid on its own.
What is L-citrulline?
L-citrulline is what we call a non-essential amino acid. Not essential because the body can produce this amino acid on its own. However, we can increase the levels of L-citrulline in our body by consuming foods and/or supplements that contain L-citrulline.
What are the benefits of L-citrulline?
1. Improve endurance
Numerous studies have shown that performance, strength and endurance are all improved when nitric oxide levels and vasodilation are increased. Even though L-citrulline is converted in the body to arginine and then to nitric oxide.
2. Lower blood pressure
Studies have shown that L-citrulline supplements can reduce blood pressure levels in people with high blood pressure. In addition, they found that people with normal blood pressure had lower blood pressure levels. After just 7 days of L-citrulline supplementation, blood pressure levels decreased by as much as 16%.
3. Remove harmful compounds
Both L-citrulline 99% powder and arginine are among the amino acids that play an important role in the urea cycle in the body. The urea cycle is responsible for converting highly toxic ammonia into urea, which is then excreted from the body.
4. Maintain muscle mass
Although L-citrulline is an amino acid that is not used to directly build proteins; studies have shown that it has the ability to increase protein synthesis.