It promotes wound healing and regeneration of the liver. It also promotes the release of hormones including glucagon, insulin, and growth hormone. This effect of arginine on growth hormones has led body builders to experiment with this amino acid to assist muscle growth. Arginine also helps remove excess ammonia from the body, stimulates the immune function and may act as a natural blood thinner by reducing platelet aggregation and may help cholestrol level regulation. Arginine is also needed to increase protein synthesis, which can in turn increase cellular replication. Some studies have shown that men with low sperm counts experienced an increase in the number of sperm when supplemented with arginine. Arginine is also a precursor to nitric oxide, which the body uses to keep blood vessels dilated, allowing the heart to receive adequate oxygen. Researchers have begun to use arginine in people with angina and congestive heart failure.

Good sources of Arginine

dairy products meat poultry fish nuts

We have sorted our nutrition database by foods high in arginine. So you can easily see how much is contained in different foods. You can also search through our database using the search box below or browse the Arginine content by food category.

Arginine in foods - by food category

Baby Food      Baked Products
Beef Products    Breakfast Cereals
Cereal Grains and Pasta    Dairy Products
Drinks    Ethnic Foods
Fast Foods    Fats and Oils
Fish    Fruits
Lamb, Veal, and Game Products    Legumes and Legume Products
Meals, Entrees, and Sidedishes    Nuts
Pork    Poultry Products
Sausages and Luncheon Meats    Snacks
Soups    Spices and Herbs
Sweets    Vegetables
Cakes    Fruit Juices
Soy Products      Sauces
Shellfish      Candy
Spreads      Soda
Dried Fruits      Soups
Cookies      Biscuits