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Arginine And Thyroid Hormones
Arginine is a conditionally essential, or semi-essential, amino acid. Children must have arginine supplied from food; adults can synthesize their own. Adults who are or have been very ill, are under stress, or who have small-intestine damage, or digestive problems might need to supplement arginine, or increase dietary sources of it.
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Arginine stimulates thyroid hormone production and helps to balance thyroid hormones. Some nutrition experts believe that arginine balances the T4-boosting activity of tyrosine, which theoretically can moderate overproduction of both tyrosine and T4.
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Arginine also stimulates the release of insulin and of growth hormone. Arginine is used as medicine for some cardiac conditions, some kidney issues, migraines, and erectile dysfunction. It boosts immune function, is an anti-inflammatory, and is a vasodilator, meaning it relaxes blood vessels.
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Dosage for arginine varies widely depending on usage. 500-1000mg a day for hypothyroid patients is generally considered safe, but always check with a medical doctor before taking this or any other supplement. Cardiac patients can take as much as 20grams a day in split doses.
Arginine can interact with some cardiac medications, blood pressure medications, and medications for erectile dysfunction. Arginine supplements are not recommended for asthmatics. Side effects of arginine supplementation include abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea, and are usually the result of too high a dose.
Sources of arginine are:
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Meat, fish, and poultry
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Milk and other dairy products
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Eggs
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Seeds and Nuts