Think of nitric oxide (NO) supplements as the celebrities in the fitness world. What's all the buzz about? They enhance muscle growth and give you a boost of energy during intense workouts at the gym.
Let's meet arginine, an amino acid that has a talent for converting into nitric oxide within your body. Scientists are like detectives searching for partners that can supercharge arginine to maximize NO production. If you're curious about the benefits of L-arginine, check out our article on "Advantages of Supplementing with L-Arginine for Fitness Enthusiasts."
A fascinating study published in the Journal of Sports Science and Medicine revealed a finding: combining vitamin C with arginine skyrockets NO levels higher than when using arginine alone. The secret lies in how vitamin C swoops in to combat those troublesome radicals that often interfere with nitric oxide.
The Study: Unleashing Nitric Oxide's Potential with L-Arginine in Young Soccer Players
According to research, arginine's ability to switch on nitric oxide opens up blood vessels, enhancing the delivery of substances like oxygen and nutrients to hardworking muscles.
Imagine an 8-week experiment involving 20 soccer stars aged 17-19 who were divided into two teams. One group of participants took a dose of 3 grams of L-arginine and 1 gram of vitamin C, while the other group only received the vitamin C boost. Both teams engaged in weight training three times a week.
Now, for the results! The group that had the combination of L-arginine and vitamin C saw remarkable results. They experienced an increase in both strength and body weight, which was measured by flexing their leg muscles during right leg extensions. As an added bonus, they also managed to reduce some body fat.
On the other hand, the group that only received vitamin C did not witness any changes in weight or strength.
So here's what we've learned: an eight-week regimen of L-arginine led to improvements in strength and lean muscle mass. The recommended dosage is between 3 to 5 grams of L-arginine, especially if you are looking to shed some pounds.
And here's a pro tip: pair each dose of L-arginine with an intake of 1000mg of vitamin C. This combination will help combat radicals while ensuring you have a great time on your fitness journey. It's like hosting a celebration for your muscles, and everyone's welcome to join in the celebration of progress!
