Exploring the Benefits and Usage of L-Citrulline in Exercise Performance and Vascular Health
This chat session delves into the multiple advantages of L-citrulline, including its potential to enhance exercise performance, improve vascular function, and manage blood pressure. It also covers the mixed evidence on some performance benefits and the specifics of various supplementation forms.
l-citruline
L-citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that plays a significant role in various physiological processes. Below are some key insights regarding its benefits and usage:
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Enhancement of Exercise Performance:
- L-citrulline supplementation has been shown to increase L-arginine levels in the blood, which in turn can elevate nitric oxide production. This is linked to improved blood flow and nutrient delivery to muscles during exercise[^1^][^2^].
- Some studies have found that L-citrulline can reduce muscle soreness, enhance power output, and increase the total number of repetitions during resistance training[^3^]. However, the evidence is mixed, and not all studies report significant performance improvements[^4^][^5^].
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Vascular Health:
- L-citrulline is known to improve vascular function by increasing nitric oxide synthesis. This is beneficial for improving blood flow and can aid in managing conditions like hypertension[^6^][^7^].
- There is evidence suggesting that chronic L-citrulline supplementation may reduce blood pressure in individuals with prehypertension or hypertension[^7^]. However, such effects might not be evident in normotensive individuals[^6^].
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Specific Forms of Supplementation:
- L-citrulline is available as L-c
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