A recent study looked at the effects of long-term L-arginine supplementation on the health of patients with multiple cardiovascular risk factors. Ninety patients were randomly assigned to two groups -- one that received daily oral L-arginine, and one that received placebo capsules.
Patients were evaluated for a number of health factors, including lipid profile, glucose, insulin, and arterial elasticity.
According to the study in the Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology:
“... [L]arge artery elasticity index (LAEI) ... was significantly greater in patients treated with L-arginine than in the placebo group ... Systemic vascular resistance was significantly lower in patients treated with L-arginine ... This improvement was associated with a decrease in systolic blood pressure, peripheral vascular resistance as well as a decrease in aldosterone levels.”