The amino acid L-arginine or arginine is best known as a protein building block, which is why it’s commonly used in bodybuilding and athletic performance supplements. L-arginine is also known for being an excellent vasodilator. Because it helps increase the flow of blood to the penis, L-arginine is also used in male sex enhancement supplements.

            L-arginine has various health benefits to offer. For instance, it’s known to promote healing and boost the immune system. It may also help in lowering your blood pressure. For better blood circulation and erectile function, here are 4 arginine-rich foods that you should include in your diet.

1. Nuts and Seeds

Many nuts and seeds have high concentrations of arginine. Pumpkin seeds, for instance, have extremely high concentrations of arginine. You can get almost 7 grams of arginine out of a cup of dried pumpkin seeds. Pumpkin seeds also contain zinc, which is good for your testosterone and sperm production.

Sesame seeds are also high in arginine, giving you almost 5 grams of arginine per cup. Watermelon seeds, which we usually spit out, also contain high concentrations of arginine. Dried walnuts, almonds, and pine nuts can give you more than 3 grams of arginine per cup.

Plus, walnuts and almonds can help improve your fertility. Almonds can give you vitamin E, zinc, and selenium. Walnuts, on the one hand, are excellent sources of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. These nutrients are important for your sperm health.

2. Meat Products

If its arginine you want, then meat products like turkey breast should be part of your diet. You can get as much as 16 grams of arginine from one cooked turkey breast. In addition, turkey meat is also high in omega-3 fatty acids and B vitamins.

If you can’t have turkey breast, try chicken instead. It’s low in fat and it can give close to 3 grams of arginine per cup or 9 grams per one serving of chicken breast. You can also opt for beef or pork, but they do contain more fat than chicken. If you prefer pork, go for pork loin since it’s one of the leanest cuts.

3. Legumes

For vegetarians and those who prefer plant-based proteins, legumes are excellent sources of arginine. Soybeans can give you close to 6 grams of arginine per cup, plus soybeans are also excellent sources of magnesium and potassium.

You can get more than 4 grams of arginine from a cup of peanuts, although you might want to spread that cup out throughout the week since peanuts are high in fat. Garbanzo beans or chickpeas are also good dietary sources of arginine, protein, and dietary fiber.

4. Seaweed

If you’re into health food, try adding seaweed to your diet. You can get close to 5 grams of arginine from a cup of dried seaweed. In addition, seaweed contains tyrosine and iodine, which are good for your thyroid health. If you have thyroid problems, it can eventually lead to hormonal imbalance and erectile dysfunction.

Health Benefits Of L-Arginine

            The two main uses of L-arginine are for building proteins and nitric oxide production. Nitric oxide is necessary for blood vessel relaxation and for improving blood flow. These two functions of L-arginine contribute to an array of health benefits such as wound repair and blood circulation improvement.

            L-arginine is also used to reduce high blood pressure and treat heart diseases. In fact, L-arginine may be able to help reduce the symptoms of coronary artery disease and angina. And since L-arginine promotes blood vessel relaxation, it can also benefit people with clogged arteries.

            Diabetic patients can also benefit from L-arginine since it can help control blood sugar levels.            L-arginine is also used to treat burns since it can help wounds heal faster. Arginine also helps our kidneys to efficiently get rid of waste products from our body. Plus, L-arginine can also help us maintain normal immune and hormone function.

            Mainly because nitric oxide is needed by the penile arteries in order for them to dilate to allow penile blood inflow during erections, L-arginine is also considered helpful in treating erectile dysfunction.

L-Arginine And Erectile Dysfunction

            According to a recent study, men with erectile dysfunction tend to have low L-arginine or L-citrulline levels. This is prevalent especially in men whose erectile dysfunction is caused by arteriogenic factors. If you have low L-arginine levels, you’re likely to develop erectile dysfunction because your nitric oxide levels will also be probably low.

            Previous studies show that supplementation with L-arginine in combination with pycnogenol, a phytochemical derived from pine bark extract, can help restore erectile function in men suffering from erectile dysfunction.

            In another study, 54 men with erectile dysfunction were treated with L-arginine, niacin, and propionyl-L-carnitine for three months. After the treatment period, 40% of the men had improved erectile function, while 77% had a partial response to the treatment.

Treating Erectile Dysfunction

            If you’re having problems with your erection, you should try a male sex enhancement supplement that contains L-arginine along with other natural ingredients.

            This contains herbs that are scientifically proven to benefit men suffering from erectile dysfunction. Tribulus terrestris, maca, horny goat weed, and Tongkat Ali are included in the formulation of these supplements. These amazing herbs are all known to have erection-boosting properties and have a long history of usage as a treatment for impotence.

            It also contains natural aphrodisiacs that can greatly increase your sexual drive. Butea superba, damiana, and muira puama are also included in the formula. These herbs can significantly increase your libido as well as your sexual stamina.

            If you’re also concerned about your testosterone levels or your fertility, these herbal ingredients contained in these supplements can help raise your levels of testosterone as well as enhance your fertility. For instance, Tribulus terrestris has been proven to improve testosterone levels as well as increase sperm motility.

            Tongkat Ali is another herb that’s also scientifically known to promote spermatogenesis and increase sperm count. Tongkat Ali has also been shown to improve testosterone levels, which is one of the reasons why this herb is often used in athletic performance supplements.