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What is IO Genix Arginine Kyowa?
IO Genix Arginine Kyowa is a pure L-arginine powder. One level 3 g scoop provides 3,000 mg of L-arginine, and the only other component in the tub is an anti-caking agent. The manufacturer states 100 servings per container, which works out at roughly three months of use at one serving a day.
L-arginine is what is known as a semi-essential amino acid: the body can produce it, but not always in sufficient quantities depending on age and state of health. Food supplies it too, chiefly through meat, fish, nuts and pulses. It is also the substrate from which the body makes nitric oxide, a messenger involved in regulating the diameter of the blood vessels.
The Kyowa Quality designation on the label refers to the origin of the raw material: an amino acid produced by plant fermentation by a specialist Japanese supplier. It is a traceability claim made by the manufacturer, not a promise of efficacy — we report it as such. The rest of the Spanish range is in our IO Genix section, and the other products in the category in our L-arginine section.
What does one serving of Arginine Kyowa contain?
| Values | Per 3 g serving | % NRV |
|---|---|---|
| L-arginine (Kyowa Quality) | 3,000 mg | Not established |
| Energy | 12 kcal | — |
| Protein | 3 g | — |
| Carbohydrate | 0 g | — |
| Fat | 0 g | — |
| Sodium | less than 1 mg | — |
| Pack size | 100 servings of 3 g, scoop included | |
3 g of arginine per serving is a straightforward dose for a single-ingredient product. The most telling comparison is not with another supplement but with your plate: it takes roughly 150 g of chicken breast or a large handful of peanuts to come close to that amount. The difference is that the powder arrives on its own, without the calories and without the meal that goes with them.
The tub contains nothing beyond the amino acid and an anti-caking agent, which is both its appeal and its limitation. The appeal: you know exactly what you are taking, and you can adjust the dose to the gram. The limitation: with no flavouring and no sweetener, pure arginine tastes bitter and slightly soapy. In 200 ml of cold water it goes down; in juice, or mixed into a flavoured booster, you stop noticing it altogether.
One point needs to be clear on the regulatory side: no health claim is authorised in Europe for L-arginine. Not on circulation, not on the pump, not on growth hormone, not on the body's defences. The previous version of this page asserted several of these effects and mentioned a certification guaranteeing maximum purity: those passages have been removed. Arginine's role as a precursor of nitric oxide is an established fact of biochemistry; what oral supplementation actually produces in a healthy adult is another question, and one that has no validated answer at European level.
Ingredients list
L-arginine (Kyowa Quality), anti-caking agent (silicon dioxide).
May contain traces of GLUTEN (wheat), EGG, MILK, FISH and SOYA.
How do you take Arginine Kyowa?
Serving: 3 g, that is one level measuring scoop. Liquid: 200 to 300 ml of cold water. Timing: 30 to 45 minutes before training, preferably on an empty stomach. Frequency: 1 to 2 servings a day according to the manufacturer. Duration: the manufacturer sets no fixed course length; the 100-serving tub covers more than three months at one serving a day.
Taking it away from meals is not a minor detail. The amino acids in a full meal compete with arginine for the same intestinal transporters. Taking it on a heavy stomach is not dangerous, it is simply less effective. Thirty minutes before the session, on a light stomach, is the window that makes the most sense.
Mix vigorously: the powder dissolves well but can form clumps if you only stir it with a spoon. And increase your water intake across the day, as the manufacturer recommends.
Two servings a day are possible according to the label, but start with one. At high doses and on an empty stomach, arginine causes digestive discomfort in some people — bloating, loosened transit. It is neither serious nor common at 3 g, but it is the reason it is better to build up gradually rather than starting at 6 g on day one.
It combines without difficulty with citrulline, creatine monohydrate or a beta-alanine powder, in the same glass and with no known interaction.
Who is arginine right for, and who is it not right for?
It appeals to the strength trainer who builds their own pre-workout, ingredient by ingredient, rather than buying a ready-made fifteen-component formula. That is the great advantage of this format: you choose what goes in and at what dose. It also suits anyone looking to top up a diet that is low in animal protein.
The manufacturer advises against it for pregnant and breastfeeding women and rules it out for under-18s. It also asks you to consult a healthcare professional in case of cardiovascular disorders, antihypertensive treatment or heart disease. That last precaution is the most important on this page: arginine acts on a pathway involved in vascular regulation, and stacking a supplement and a medicine on the same pathway is never trivial. If you are being treated for blood pressure, the question is one for your doctor, not for a retailer.
One other situation calls for caution: people who have had recurrent cold sores sometimes prefer to avoid high doses of arginine, on the basis of a known balance with another amino acid, lysine. This is not a manufacturer contraindication, it is a point to keep in mind and one you can raise with your pharmacist.
What not to expect from it: this is not a stimulant, there is no caffeine here, and you will not feel a kick. It is not a mass-gaining product — for that, it is protein and total calories that decide. And it is not a treatment, whatever the condition concerned.
Arginine or citrulline: which should you choose?
This is the most useful decision in the whole category, and the answer often comes as a surprise.
Arginine taken orally is largely broken down before it even reaches the general circulation, by an intestinal and hepatic enzyme called arginase. This is well established, and it explains why substantial doses are needed to raise blood levels.
Citrulline, on the other hand, largely escapes that first pass and is then converted into arginine in the kidney. The result is paradoxical but documented: at comparable amounts, citrulline raises blood arginine levels more than arginine itself does. If your aim is blood flow during training, citrulline is the more rational choice, and that is what we recommend in store.
Arginine keeps two advantages: it is generally cheaper per gram, and it is the form the body uses directly in the urea cycle and in several other metabolic pathways. Plenty of trainees take the two together, in fact. If what you are mainly after is a product you can feel during the session, neither one will really deliver: look instead at complete pre-workouts.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Kyowa Quality designation mean?
It indicates the origin of the raw material, an amino acid produced by plant fermentation by a Japanese supplier specialising in amino acids. The manufacturer puts it on the label as a matter of traceability. We report it as such: it is information about provenance, not a guarantee of effect.
Should it be taken on an empty stomach?
Preferably on an empty or light stomach, 30 to 45 minutes before the session. The amino acids in a full meal compete with it for the same intestinal transporters. Taking it after a large meal is not pointless, it is simply less effective.
Can you exceed 3 g a day?
The manufacturer allows up to two servings a day depending on your needs. Start with one: at high doses and on an empty stomach, arginine causes digestive discomfort in some people. Building up gradually is the right approach, and do not exceed the daily dose stated on the packaging.
Is the taste bearable?
The powder is unflavoured: it is bitter and a little soapy. In 200 ml of cold water it stays drinkable, if joyless. Mixed into juice, a flavoured drink or an already sweetened pre-workout, it disappears completely.
How many servings are in a tub?
100 servings of 3 g, scoop supplied. At one serving a day, that covers more than three months. It is one of the few products in the category whose container comfortably outlasts a standard training cycle.
Is it compatible with blood pressure medication?
That question is one for your doctor. The manufacturer explicitly asks for professional advice in case of antihypertensive treatment, cardiovascular disorder or heart disease. This is not a boilerplate precaution copied across: arginine acts on a pathway involved in vascular regulation.
Is it suitable for vegetarians?
Yes as regards the raw material, obtained by plant fermentation according to the manufacturer, and the powder has no animal casing since these are not capsules. The product may, however, contain traces of milk, egg and fish linked to the production facility.
Where can you buy IO Genix Arginine Kyowa?
The 100-serving tub can be ordered from this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues store, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is a product we sell mainly to people who put together their own pre-workout, and the conversation almost always begins with an honest comparison against citrulline. The rest of the category can be browsed in our sports nutrition section.
What is Sinob Core L-Arginine AAKG?
Sinob Core AAKG is a powdered amino acid for mixing with liquid, sold in a 300 g tub, which works out at 30 servings of 10 g. Its only ingredient is L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, a salt in which arginine is bound to alpha-ketoglutarate, an intermediate of the Krebs cycle. No sweeteners, no flavourings, no colourings, no preservatives: the powder is unadulterated and so is its taste.
The product belongs to our L-arginine range. Sinob is a German brand whose line-up we stock in the Sinob range. The formulation contains no ingredients of animal origin and the manufacturer declares no allergens.
What does a serving of Core AAKG contain?
A 10 g serving provides 10 g of L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, of which 6.567 g is L-arginine and 3.433 g is alpha-ketoglutarate. Expressed per 100 g, that comes to 65.67 g of arginine.
This is the only figure that matters when comparing two products, and it is rarely put front and centre. “10 g of AAKG” is not “10 g of arginine”: a third of the powder's weight is alpha-ketoglutarate. Set against an arginine HCl, whose arginine share is higher, the comparison has to be made gram of arginine against gram of arginine, price included.
One clarification is called for here: other contents are quoted for this product, notably a figure of 53.5%. We stand by the 65.67% given in our labelling data, and we are flagging the discrepancy rather than quietly passing over it. If in doubt, the value printed on the tub you receive is the one that counts.
A final point of context: arginine carries no authorised health claim in Europe. What we are describing, then, is a formulation, a dose and a format, not an expected effect. The full nutritional breakdown is set out in the tabs on this page.
How do you take Sinob Core AAKG?
The recommended dose is 10 g per day, that is one level scoop, mixed into 200 ml of water or juice and shaken for around thirty seconds in a shaker. Drink immediately after preparing.
The manufacturer settles on one serving a day, in the morning on an empty stomach, or 30 minutes before training on session days. Do not exceed 10 g per day: that is the limit stated on the label. As for duration, it advises cycling 8 weeks of use followed by 2 weeks off. The 30-serving tub therefore covers a month of daily use, or roughly two and a half months if you take it only on training days.
Two practical remarks. The taste is frankly sour and bitter — that is the trade-off of an unflavoured powder; citrus juice makes it far more drinkable than a plain glass of water. And 10 g of an amino acid on an empty stomach does not suit every stomach: nausea, bloating or loose stools should prompt you to cut back or stop. A decent shaker is not a luxury, since the powder dissolves poorly when stirred with a spoon.
Who is Core AAKG for, and who is it not for?
The product is intended for adults. It is suitable for vegetarian and vegan diets, as its formulation contains no ingredients of animal origin, and the manufacturer declares no gluten, no lactose and no soya.
It is not suitable for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The manufacturer contraindicates it in people who have had a myocardial infarction: this statement appears explicitly on the label and should be taken seriously. It also advises against using it in cases of recurrent herpes, as arginine may encourage outbreaks — this is the most frequently asked question about this amino acid, and the answer here is no. Keep out of reach of children under 3. If you are undergoing medical treatment, seek advice from a healthcare professional before use.
What you should not expect from it: since no health claim is authorised for arginine, this product promises nothing regarding circulation, performance or recovery, and we are not going to write otherwise. Nor is it a strength product: on that front, creatine monohydrate is better established and costs less per day.
Core AAKG or citrulline?
This is the decisive comparison, and it starts with this product's own billing, which highlights superior absorption. The implicit comparison is with L-arginine hydrochloride, the most widespread form. It is not documented by any health authority, and we will not be repeating the multipliers — “three times more”, “ten times more” — commonly read about this type of formula: those figures have no verifiable source.
More importantly, the fundamental issue lies elsewhere. The limiting factor for orally taken arginine is not the salt chosen but a substantial first-pass effect: a significant share is broken down by arginase in the gut and the liver before it reaches the circulation. Switching salts does not remove that mechanism. L-citrulline, by contrast, largely escapes it and is then converted into arginine in the kidney: taken orally, citrulline raises plasma arginine more effectively than arginine itself, whatever its form. That is established, and it does not work in AAKG's favour.
Citrulline is therefore the better choice in the most common use case: a serving before the session. It is generally better tolerated digestively at an equivalent dose, and its taste, though sour, remains more palatable. It is also what you will find in most of the complete pre-workouts in the range, which have largely swapped it in for arginine.
Core AAKG keeps two situations for itself. The first: you want a single-ingredient product, with no sweetener or flavouring, so you can build your own pre-workout and set each dose yourself. The second: you are specifically after the alpha-ketoglutarate intake, which citrulline does not provide. Outside those two cases, citrulline is the more rational choice, and we would rather say so than sell at all costs the very product page you are reading.
Frequently asked questions
How much arginine is there really in a 10 g serving?
6.567 g of arginine and 3.433 g of alpha-ketoglutarate, which is 65.67% arginine. That is the figure to remember when comparing with another product: a label stating “10 g of AAKG” is not stating 10 g of arginine, and the real price difference is worked out per gram of arginine, not per gram of powder.
Can you take it if you have herpes?
The manufacturer advises against it in cases of recurrent herpes, as arginine may encourage outbreaks. This is the precaution most often looked up about this amino acid, and it appears explicitly on the label. If it applies to you, this product is not for you; speak to your doctor or your pharmacist about it.
What does the powder taste like, and how do you make it drinkable?
Sour and bitter, with nothing to mask it since the formula contains neither flavouring nor sweetener. A 200 ml citrus juice goes down far better than still water, and the acidity of the juice works with that of the powder. Shake for thirty seconds in a shaker: stirred with a spoon, it dissolves badly.
How long does the 300 g tub last?
Thirty days with daily use, or roughly two and a half months if you keep it for training days at three sessions a week. With the 8-week cycling the manufacturer advises, one tub does not cover a full cycle under daily use.
Should it be taken on an empty stomach or with a meal?
The manufacturer settles on the morning on an empty stomach or 30 minutes before the session. A protein-rich meal eaten just before puts other amino acids in competition for intestinal transport. If 10 g on an empty stomach makes you feel nauseous, taking it becomes uncomfortable: better then to reduce the dose than to press on.
Can it be combined with citrulline or with a pre-workout?
There is nothing against it, but the benefit is limited: both target the same pathway, and citrulline does it better orally. If you are already taking a complete pre-workout, check its formulation before adding this product, as most already contain several grams of citrulline. Stacking is no substitute for dosing.
Does the product contain additives or allergens?
No. The only ingredient is L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, with no sweetener, flavouring, colouring or preservative, and the manufacturer declares no allergens. That is this line's main selling point: a single-component powder whose dosing is entirely under your control.
Where can you buy Sinob Core L-Arginine AAKG?
You can order it on this page, and we ship throughout France and Europe. At the Vendargues shop, about ten minutes from Montpellier, this is typically the product on which we take the time to ask the question before selling: for most pre-session uses, citrulline remains the best value for money, and it is better to hear that over the counter than after buying. All our amino acids can be found in our sports nutrition range.
Qu'est-ce que l'A-AKG d'OstroVit ?
L'A-AKG, c'est de l'arginine alpha-cétoglutarate : la L-arginine, un acide aminé, liée à l'alpha-cétoglutarate, une molécule du cycle de Krebs. C'est la forme d'arginine la plus répandue en nutrition sportive, et la seule que l'on retrouve sous ce sigle dans le rayon.
La poudre se présente en sachet de 200 g, en version nature ou aromatisée. La version nature ne contient que la molécule, sans rien d'autre. Le reste de la gamme se parcourt dans le rayon OstroVit.
Ce qu'il y a dans l'A-AKG
Le chiffre qui fait la différence, c'est 4 500 mg d'arginine alpha-cétoglutarate par portion en version nature, dont 2 970 mg de L-arginine. Le sachet en donne 44 portions de 4,5 g. La version aromatisée descend à 4 400 mg par portion de 5 g, dont 2 900 mg de L-arginine, et le sachet en donne 40.
La version nature est titrée à 100 % d'arginine alpha-cétoglutarate : un seul ingrédient, aucun arôme, aucun édulcorant, aucun agent de charge. Le revers est connu, et le fabricant l'écrit lui-même sur sa fiche : la molécule a un goût acide et franchement amer, et se dilue mieux dans un jus que dans un verre d'eau.
Les versions citron et orange ajoutent un arôme, un correcteur d'acidité et deux édulcorants pour rendre la poudre buvable à l'eau. Le dosage d'arginine alpha-cétoglutarate baisse de cent milligrammes par portion : c'est le prix du goût, et il est faible.
À qui s'adresse l'A-AKG ?
Aux pratiquants de musculation qui construisent eux-mêmes leur préparation d'avant-séance, poudre par poudre, plutôt que d'acheter un mélange tout fait dont ils ne maîtrisent pas les dosages. Un sachet d'A-AKG, un sachet de citrulline, un sachet de bêta-alanine, et la formule est à eux.
Il s'adresse aussi à ceux qui veulent savoir exactement ce qu'ils avalent : sur la version nature, la liste d'ingrédients fait une ligne et le dosage est écrit noir sur blanc. Avec 44 portions dans un sachet, le coût à la portion reste parmi les plus bas du rayon des acides aminés.
Quel parfum choisir ?
Trois versions : nature, citron et orange. La nature est la plus concentrée et la plus brute — elle se mélange plutôt dans un jus de fruit, qui masque l'acidité de la molécule.
Le citron et l'orange se boivent dans de l'eau sans arrière-pensée, et c'est souvent ce qui fait qu'un sachet est terminé plutôt qu'oublié au fond du placard.
Questions fréquentes
Qu'est-ce que l'arginine AAKG ?
C'est l'arginine alpha-cétoglutarate : de la L-arginine associée à l'alpha-cétoglutarate, une molécule du cycle de Krebs. Le sigle AAKG, écrit aussi A-AKG, désigne cette forme-là et pas l'arginine seule.
Quels sont les bienfaits de l'arginine ?
L'arginine est un acide aminé que l'organisme fabrique lui-même et que l'on trouve aussi dans l'alimentation, surtout dans les fruits à coque, les graines et les viandes. Sur ce sachet, ce que l'étiquette affiche, c'est le dosage : 4 500 mg d'arginine alpha-cétoglutarate par portion en version nature.
Quels sont les effets de l'arginine ?
C'est un précurseur du monoxyde d'azote dans l'organisme, et c'est la raison pour laquelle on la retrouve dans la plupart des préparations d'avant-séance du rayon. Le dosage affiché reste le seul repère objectif pour comparer deux poudres.
Quelle est la différence entre l'AAKG et la L-arginine ?
La L-arginine est l'acide aminé seul. L'AAKG est ce même acide aminé lié à l'alpha-cétoglutarate, ce qui change le poids de la molécule : sur 4 500 mg d'AAKG, 2 970 mg sont de la L-arginine. C'est le chiffre à regarder quand on compare deux étiquettes.
Quand prendre de l'arginine en musculation ?
Avant la séance, c'est l'usage le plus courant dans le rayon, dilué dans de l'eau ou dans un jus. Le détail figure dans l'onglet Conseils d'utilisation.
Quel est l'aliment le plus riche en arginine ?
Les graines de courge arrivent en tête, suivies des cacahuètes, des amandes, des noix et du soja. Côté animal, la dinde et le porc en apportent de bonnes quantités. Une poudre dosée reste plus simple quand on vise un apport précis autour de l'entraînement.
Où acheter de l'AAKG en France ?
Chez KISS NUTRITION, en ligne avec expédition partout en France et en Europe, ou directement en boutique à Vendargues, à dix minutes de Montpellier. Le reste de la gamme est réuni dans le rayon OstroVit.
Où acheter l'A-AKG ?
L'A-AKG s'achète en ligne sur kissnutrition.fr, avec expédition dans toute la France et partout en Europe, suivi de colis compris.
Il s'achète aussi en magasin, à Vendargues, à dix minutes de Montpellier : le sachet se prend en main, l'étiquette se lit tranquillement et les dosages se comparent de vive voix avec le reste du rayon. Toute la gamme est réunie dans le rayon OstroVit.
Qu'est-ce que la L-Arginine 1500 d'Applied Nutrition ?
La L-Arginine 1500 d'Applied Nutrition, c'est de la L-arginine en gélules, et rien d'autre. Une portion de deux gélules apporte 1 500 mg d'arginine, et le flacon en compte 120, soit 60 portions.
C'est le format de celui qui monte son avant-séance ingrédient par ingrédient : pas d'arôme, pas d'édulcorant, juste l'acide aminé dosé à part, qu'on ajoute à ce qu'on prend déjà. Le reste de la gamme se parcourt dans notre rayon Applied Nutrition.
Ce qu'il y a dans la L-Arginine 1500
Une seule ligne d'actif sur l'étiquette : 1 500 mg de L-arginine par portion de deux gélules. Avec 60 portions par flacon, c'est l'une des références les plus simples du rayon acides aminés — un actif, une quantité, écrite en clair.
L'arginine est un acide aminé semi-essentiel que l'organisme utilise comme précurseur de l'oxyde nitrique. C'est à ce titre qu'elle figure, depuis les premières générations d'avant-séance, dans les formules de congestion sans stimulant.
Le reste de l'étiquette tient en trois lignes : l'enveloppe en hydroxypropylméthylcellulose, d'origine végétale, et deux antiagglomérants, le stéarate de magnésium et le dioxyde de silicium. Le fabricant indique qu'aucun allergène majeur n'entre dans la formule.
Chaque lot est analysé dans un laboratoire accrédité ISO 17025 au titre du programme Informed Sport, qui recherche les substances interdites en compétition. Le produit est par ailleurs certifié halal.
À qui s'adresse la L-Arginine 1500 ?
À ceux qui composent leur avant-séance eux-mêmes. Avec une formule toute faite, on prend le dosage du fabricant ; en gélules, on choisit le sien et on l'empile sur le reste de sa routine.
À ceux qui passent des contrôles, ensuite. Le logo Informed Sport sur le flacon signifie que le lot a été analysé avant d'arriver en rayon : c'est la seule garantie sérieuse pour un pratiquant licencié.
Et à ceux qui retournent le flacon avant d'acheter. Un actif, une quantité, une enveloppe végétale, deux antiagglomérants : l'étiquette se lit en dix secondes.
Questions fréquentes
Quels sont les bienfaits de l'arginine ?
L'arginine est un acide aminé semi-essentiel que l'organisme utilise notamment comme précurseur de l'oxyde nitrique. C'est à ce titre qu'elle est devenue l'un des ingrédients historiques des formules d'avant-séance sans stimulant.
Comment agit l'arginine ?
L'organisme la transforme en oxyde nitrique par la voie de la NO-synthase. C'est ce mécanisme qui a installé l'arginine dans les formules de congestion depuis les premières générations d'avant-séance.
Quel est l'aliment le plus riche en arginine ?
Les graines de courge et les fruits à coque arrivent en tête, devant les cacahuètes, les lentilles, la viande et le poisson. C'est un acide aminé très répandu dans l'alimentation, ce qui n'empêche pas les pratiquants de l'isoler pour le doser à part.
Combien d'arginine apporte une portion ?
1 500 mg de L-arginine pour une portion de deux gélules. C'est le chiffre écrit sur le flacon, et c'est la seule ligne d'actif de l'étiquette.
Combien de gélules contient le flacon ?
120 gélules, soit 60 portions, pour 100 g de produit.
La L-Arginine 1500 convient-elle aux végétariens ?
L'enveloppe est en hydroxypropylméthylcellulose, une gélule d'origine végétale. Le fabricant la présente comme une enveloppe qui convient aux régimes à restriction alimentaire, religieuse ou culturelle.
La L-Arginine 1500 est-elle testée pour la compétition ?
Oui. Chaque lot est analysé dans un laboratoire accrédité ISO 17025 au titre du programme Informed Sport, qui recherche les substances interdites en compétition.
Où acheter la L-Arginine 1500 d'Applied Nutrition ?
Le flacon de 120 gélules se commande depuis cette page, et nous expédions partout en France et en Europe. Notre magasin se trouve à Vendargues, à une dizaine de minutes de Montpellier, et la gamme y est en rayon.
Le reste de la marque se parcourt dans la collection Applied Nutrition.
2 200 mg d'AAKG par dose
AAKG 2200 apporte 2,2 g d'arginine alpha-cétoglutarate par dose de 4 gélules végétales, sous forme de dihydrate. L'AAKG associe la L-arginine, un acide aminé, à l'alpha-cétoglutarate, un intermédiaire du cycle de Krebs. C'est la forme d'arginine la plus utilisée en nutrition sportive, choisie pour sa solubilité.
Le flacon de 180 gélules couvre 45 doses complètes. La formule ne contient ni édulcorant ni arôme : quatre gélules, de l'AAKG, et le strict nécessaire d'excipients.
Composition par dose
Autres ingrédients : hypromellose (gélule d'origine végétale), palmitate d'ascorbyle, dioxyde de silicium.
Formule végétalienne. Sans blé, gluten, soja, lait, œuf, poisson, crustacés ni fruits à coque ajoutés.
Questions fréquentes
Quelle différence entre AAKG et L-arginine simple ?
L'AAKG est un sel d'arginine et d'alpha-cétoglutarate. À quantité d'AAKG égale, la part d'arginine pure est donc inférieure à celle d'une L-arginine libre : les deux ne se comparent pas gramme pour gramme.
Est-il végétalien ?
Oui, la gélule est d'origine végétale (hypromellose) et aucun ingrédient animal n'entre dans la formule.
La Now Foods Arginine et Ornithine apporte, pour la dose de deux gélules indiquée par le fabricant, 1 g de L-arginine libre et 500 mg de L-ornithine issue de chlorhydrate. Deux ingrédients hors actifs. Grand flacon de 250 gélules, soit 125 doses.
Composition
Soit 500 mg d'arginine et 250 mg d'ornithine par gélule. Autres ingrédients : gélule végétale (hypromellose) et acide stéarique d'origine végétale. Deux excipients seulement : c'est la liste la plus courte de tout le rayon acides aminés. Sans gélatine, convient aux végétariens et aux végétaliens.
Noter la façon dont l'ornithine est déclarée : 644 mg de chlorhydrate apportent 500 mg d'ornithine. Le fabricant donne les deux chiffres, ce qui permet de vérifier le calcul — tous ne le font pas.
Questions fréquentes
Pourquoi 644 mg de chlorhydrate pour 500 mg d'ornithine ?
Parce que le chlorhydrate est un sel : une partie de sa masse est le chlorhydrate lui-même. Le fabricant donne les deux chiffres, ce qui permet de vérifier que les 500 mg annoncés sont bien de l'ornithine.
Puis-je en prendre après un infarctus ?
Non. Le fabricant l'écrit explicitement sur cette référence : ne pas utiliser en cas d'antécédent d'infarctus du myocarde ou de maladie coronarienne établie.
Est-ce vegan ?
Oui. Gélule en hypromellose et acide stéarique d'origine végétale : deux excipients, c'est tout.
La L-arginine en forme libre
La L-arginine est un acide aminé semi-essentiel : l'organisme sait la produire, mais pas toujours en quantité suffisante selon les périodes de la vie. L'alimentation l'apporte surtout par les fruits à coque, les graines, la viande et le poisson.
NOW Foods la propose ici en forme libre — non liée à un peptide — à raison de 700 mg par gélule végétale. La formule tient en quatre ingrédients.
Le flacon de 180 gélules permet d'ajuster la prise de une à trois gélules par jour.
Composition par gélule végétale
Apport de référence non établi pour cet acide aminé.
Autres ingrédients : hypromellose (gélule d'origine végétale), cellulose microcristalline, acide stéarique d'origine végétale, dioxyde de silicium.
Végétalien. Sans blé, gluten, soja, lait, œuf, poisson, crustacés ni fruits à coque ajoutés.
Questions fréquentes
Que signifie « forme libre » ?
L'acide aminé est isolé, non lié à d'autres acides aminés dans une chaîne peptidique. Il n'a donc pas besoin d'être libéré par la digestion d'une protéine.
Gélules ou poudre ?
Les gélules dosent précisément 700 mg et se transportent facilement. La poudre permet des doses plus élevées à moindre coût au gramme ; NOW Foods propose les deux.
Les gélules conviennent-elles aux végétaliens ?
Oui. La L-arginine est obtenue par fermentation, l'enveloppe est en hypromellose végétale et la formule ne contient aucun ingrédient d'origine animale.
La Now Foods L-Arginine 1000 mg apporte 1 g de L-arginine libre par comprimé, à partir de chlorhydrate de L-arginine. Deux formats : 60 ou 180 comprimés. C'est la forme la plus directe du rayon : un gramme dans une seule unité, là où les gélules dosées à 500 mg en demandent deux.
Composition
Autres ingrédients : cellulose microcristalline, hydroxypropylcellulose, acide stéarique d'origine végétale, croscarmellose sodique, dioxyde de silicium, et un enrobage végétal (hypromellose, carbonate de calcium, glycérine). Pas de gélatine : le produit convient aux végétariens et aux végétaliens.
Comprimé ou gélule
La L-Arginine 500 mg en gélules du rayon apporte le même gramme d'arginine, mais en deux gélules au lieu d'un comprimé. Les deux formules contiennent de l'arginine libre ; la différence est le nombre d'unités à avaler et le prix au gramme. Le comprimé contient un enrobage et deux excipients de compression supplémentaires ; la gélule n'en a que deux.
Questions fréquentes
Quelle différence avec les gélules 500 mg ?
Le même gramme d'arginine libre, en un comprimé au lieu de deux gélules. Le comprimé a un enrobage et davantage d'excipients de compression.
Est-ce vegan ?
Oui. L'enrobage est végétal (hypromellose) et il n'y a pas de gélatine.
Quel format choisir ?
Le flacon de 60 comprimés couvre un mois à deux comprimés par jour, celui de 180 trois mois. Le grand format est moins cher au comprimé.
What is the effect of L-arginine in the body?
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid: the body can produce it, but not always in sufficient quantities, especially during growth or significant physiological stress. It is obtained through diet from meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, and legumes.
Its most discussed effect in sports nutrition involves the nitric oxide pathway. The NO-synthase enzyme converts arginine into nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule that relaxes blood vessel walls and increases local blood flow. This mechanism explains the presence of arginine in almost all "pump" pre-workouts: more blood in the muscle during exertion, leading to greater congestion, and theoretically better delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
Arginine is also involved elsewhere. It is a link in the urea cycle, the pathway by which the body eliminates nitrogen from protein metabolism. It serves as a precursor to endogenous creatine and polyamines involved in cell renewal. Finally, it participates in hormonal secretion mechanisms, which fueled extensive literature on growth hormone in the 1990s—literature whose practical conclusions for a healthy individual proved to be much less significant than announced.
These roles are real at the physiological level. The question that matters to a consumer is different: what happens when you take arginine in powder or capsule form?
Why is citrulline more effective orally?
It must be said clearly, even if it leads some readers to another section: to raise blood arginine levels, citrulline works better than arginine itself. Two obstacles explain this paradox.
The first is the first-pass effect. Ingested arginine is massively taken up by the intestine and liver before reaching general circulation. A significant portion of the dose is metabolized on site, and what actually reaches the muscle is much less than what the label measurement suggests.
The second is arginase, an enzyme abundant in the intestine and liver, which degrades arginine into ornithine and urea. The higher the oral dose, the more this pathway is used. This is why increasing the dose does not solve the problem: it primarily feeds the enzyme responsible for destroying it.
Citrulline, on the other hand, avoids both. It is not a substrate of arginase and passes through the liver without being taken up; it is then converted to arginine by the kidney, downstream of these obstacles. The counter-intuitive but well-established result: a given dose of citrulline increases plasma arginine levels more and more durably than the same dose of arginine. If your goal is pump during training, you should turn to our citrulline section, with 6 to 8 g before your session, and not to arginine.
In what cases does L-arginine still have an interest?
This superiority of citrulline does not make arginine useless. Three uses remain defensible.
AAKG and salt forms. Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate combines the amino acid with alpha-ketoglutarate, an intermediate of the Krebs cycle. Forms like AAKG or arginine HCl aim for better stability and more consistent absorption. The difference with free arginine remains modest, but these forms constitute a classic and well-tolerated basis for pump formulas, often alongside citrulline rather than in its place.
High doses. Protocols showing a measurable effect on plasma arginine use 3 to 6 g, sometimes more. Below 3 g, the first-pass effect absorbs almost the entire dose. A formula announcing 500 mg of arginine per serving checks a marketing box, nothing more.
Non-sporting contexts. Arginine is used in medical settings in situations of increased needs, and it is found in pharmacies in various forms, often combined with other active ingredients. These uses require a prescription and monitoring: they do not translate to self-decided workout supplementation, and we do not enter this field.
A word about a related ingredient, often associated with arginine in pump formulas: glycerol, which does not act on nitric oxide but retains water in the vascular and muscular compartments. It is a supplement, not a substitute. Our caffeine-free boosters frequently combine these two approaches.
What are the dangers of L-arginine?
The question of the dangers of L-arginine deserves a precise answer rather than a reassuring statement. At dietary doses, this amino acid is consumed daily by everyone without difficulty. At supplementation doses, a few points deserve real attention.
Digestive disorders. This is the most common side effect, and it is dose-dependent. Beyond 5 to 10 g in a single dose, nausea, bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea become common. The mechanism is partly osmotic: a large load of free amino acid in the intestine draws water. Splitting the dose and taking it with some food limits the problem.
Interactions with vasodilators and antihypertensive treatments. This is the most important point, and it is not theoretical. Arginine acts on the same pathway as several classes of medications: nitrates, antihypertensive treatments, PDE5 inhibitors. The addition of two vasodilatory effects can cause blood pressure to drop beyond what is desirable. If you are on any of these treatments, the question must be posed to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, not after.
Herpes. The HSV virus uses arginine for its replication, and the ratio between arginine and lysine in the diet is a factor discussed in the occurrence of outbreaks. The data is not definitive, but if you are prone to recurrent outbreaks, this is something to consider and discuss with your doctor before prolonged high-dose supplementation.
Kidney and liver pathologies. Arginine is part of the urea cycle, which the liver and kidneys ensure functions and eliminates products. In cases of kidney or liver failure, an additional load of amino acids is not trivial and requires medical advice.
Specific situations. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, post-infarction period, severe asthma, and ongoing treatments in general: caution involves seeking advice from a healthcare professional rather than relying on a label. There is nothing alarming for a healthy adult who respects the doses, but nothing that justifies ignoring these situations either. European evaluations of amino acids in dietary supplements are the responsibility of the EFSA, and French recommendations are from ANSES.
What dose and when?
For training-related use, the useful range is between 3 and 6 g, taken 45 to 60 minutes before the session — a longer delay than for citrulline, whose peak is later but pathway is more direct. AAKG forms are used in the same range.
Start with 3 g to assess your digestive tolerance before going higher. Beyond 6 g in a single dose, the discomfort-to-benefit ratio significantly deteriorates.
If you are already taking citrulline, there is no reason to add a high dose of arginine on top: both feed the same pathway, and the latter is the less effective of the two orally. Conversely, arginine combines easily with ingredients that act through other mechanisms: beta-alanine for acid buffering, electrolytes for hydration, EAAs during training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is L-arginine?
A semi-essential amino acid: the body can produce it, but not always in sufficient quantities during growth or significant physiological stress. The "L-" prefix simply denotes the natural form, the one found in dietary proteins. As a supplement, it comes as pure powder, capsules, or in salt form such as arginine HCl and AAKG. Its most commented role in sports nutrition is to be the direct precursor of nitric oxide, the molecule that relaxes blood vessel walls and increases local blood flow.
What are the benefits of L-arginine?
First, it's important to state what doesn't exist: no health claims are authorized in Europe for arginine, as none have passed evaluation by the EFSA. What is documented pertains to physiology, not promised benefits. It is the substrate for NO-synthase, and thus for nitric oxide and vasodilation; it is a link in the urea cycle, through which nitrogen from proteins is eliminated; it serves as a precursor to endogenous creatine and polyamines involved in cell renewal. Useful to know, but insufficient to promise a specific outcome.
What effects does L-arginine have?
Honestly, very little, and this is what often leads to disappointment. The only noticeable effect is sometimes a slightly more pronounced pump during training, with doses of 3 to 6 g taken 45 to 60 minutes beforehand: veins become more visible, muscles appear fuller. The sensation is real but modest, and many cannot distinguish it from a placebo. No stimulating effect, no energy boost, no strength gain: in this regard, creatine monohydrate remains the benchmark supplement.
When should I take arginine?
45 to 60 minutes before your workout if your goal is muscle pump—a longer delay than for citrulline, allowing time for the fraction escaping the liver to reach circulation. On an empty stomach or away from a protein-rich meal is preferable: other amino acids compete for the same intestinal transporters. Outside of training, no specific time has shown particular benefit, including evening intake sometimes presented as favorable for growth hormone: protocols showing this effect used intravenous doses unrelated to a capsule.
How much arginine per day?
Between 3 and 6g per dose for training-related use. Below 3g, the intestine and liver capture almost the entire dose, and nothing measurable happens—formulas displaying 500mg per serving check a marketing box. Beyond 6g in a single dose, digestive comfort significantly deteriorates without additional benefit, as the enzyme that degrades arginine is simply more active. Start at 3g to assess your tolerance, and don't forget to account for the arginine already present in your booster.
What are the dangers of arginine?
At dietary doses, none: everyone consumes it daily. At supplementation doses, four points deserve real attention. First, digestive issues—nausea, bloating, diarrhea beyond 5 to 10 g in a single dose. Second, drug interactions, and this is the most important point: arginine acts on the same pathway as nitrates, antihypertensives, and PDE5 inhibitors, and the addition of two vasodilatory effects can cause blood pressure to drop—ask your doctor before, not after. Third, herpes: the virus uses arginine to replicate, a factor to consider in cases of recurrent outbreaks. Finally, kidney or liver failure, as arginine is part of the urea cycle. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and ongoing treatments fall under the same precautionary principle.
Is L-arginine a vasodilator?
Indirectly. It is the substrate that NO-synthase converts into nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the vascular wall and increases local blood flow: it is not the arginine itself that dilates, but its raw material. Two nuances are important. The oral route is not efficient, as the intestine and liver capture most of the dose before it reaches circulation. And it is precisely this vascular action that dictates the main precaution for the product: never add it to a vasodilator or antihypertensive treatment without medical advice.
Does arginine cause weight gain?
No. A dose of 3 to 6 g provides twelve to twenty kilocalories, an amount without effect on the day's energy balance. The only weight variation sometimes observed with pump formulas comes from water retained by glycerol or creatine that accompanies them, not from arginine, and it disappears upon discontinuation.
Does arginine make you grow taller?
No, and this confusion must be cleared up directly. The idea comes from studies in the 1990s showing that a high-dose intravenous infusion of arginine causes a transient peak of growth hormone—a test used in endocrinology, not an effect reproducible with a capsule. Orally, the elevation is small, brief, and has no demonstrated consequence on height, muscle mass, or recovery. Adult height depends on genetics, overall nutrition during growth, and hormonal status: no dietary supplement modifies it. For children and adolescents, these products are not indicated, and any growth-related questions should be addressed to a doctor.
Where can I find arginine, and which food contains the most?
The densest sources are not what you might expect: pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and sesame seeds contain proportionally more than meat. Next are turkey, chicken, pork, fish, dairy products, soy, chickpeas, and lentils. A typical diet provides several grams per day, which is largely sufficient for a healthy adult. The Ciqual database details the amino acid composition food by food.
What is the value of arginine sold in pharmacies?
It's the same amino acid, obtained through the same fermentation processes. Differences lie in the galenic form—sachets, ampoules, capsules—, the dosage per unit, and associations with other active ingredients, which often drive up the price per gram. Some presentations are also medicinal products, with their own indications and follow-up: they do not translate to self-decided training supplementation. Compare the actual amount of arginine per dose and the price per gram, rather than the distribution channel.
L-arginine or citrulline, which to choose?
Citrulline, in almost all cases where the goal is muscle pump during training. It raises blood arginine levels more than arginine itself, for the reasons explained above. Arginine still has its place in combined formulas and in AAKG form.
Can it be combined with a booster?
Yes, provided the doses are added up. Many pump formulas already contain arginine or AAKG: check the label before adding more, just as you would for citrulline. The boosters section and our selection of creatine-free pre-workouts detail how to read a nutritional label.
What forms of arginine do we offer?
Our selection covers both approaches. IO.Genix offers Kyowa quality arginine, a fermentation manufacturing benchmark, for those who want the amino acid alone and well-identified. Sinob offers the AAKG version, intended for pump formulas. Peak Performance Nutrition completes the range with liquid glycerol, which acts on cell volume through a distinct mechanism and combines well with an arginine or citrulline base.
If your goal is purely pump, the honest comparison remains with the citrulline section, which is more effective at equal doses and generally better tolerated digestively.
Discuss near Montpellier
Our store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows you to ask questions that don't belong in a product sheet, starting with questions about ongoing treatments. We prefer to suggest another product, or recommend consulting your doctor, rather than selling a supplement that isn't suitable for your situation. We also ship throughout France and Europe.
Trois acides aminés dans la même gélule
Tri-Amino associe trois acides aminés en forme libre : la L-arginine, la L-lysine et la L-ornithine. Les trois se croisent dans le cycle de l'urée ; la lysine est par ailleurs un acide aminé essentiel.
Deux gélules végétales apportent 550 mg d'arginine, 450 mg de lysine et 400 mg d'ornithine — soit 1,4 g d'acides aminés au total.
La formule tient en cinq ingrédients. Le flacon de 120 gélules représente 60 doses.
Composition par 2 gélules végétales
Apport de référence non établi pour ces acides aminés.
Autres ingrédients : hypromellose (gélule d'origine végétale), stéarate de magnésium d'origine végétale.
Végétalien. Sans blé, gluten, lait, œuf, poisson, crustacés, fruits à coque ni sésame ajoutés.
Questions fréquentes
Pourquoi ces trois acides aminés ensemble ?
L'arginine et l'ornithine se convertissent l'une en l'autre dans le cycle de l'urée ; la lysine est un acide aminé essentiel qui partage avec l'arginine les mêmes transporteurs intestinaux. C'est l'association retenue par NOW Foods.
Que signifie « forme libre » ?
Les acides aminés sont isolés, non liés dans une chaîne peptidique : ils n'ont pas besoin d'être libérés par la digestion d'une protéine.
Pourquoi à distance des repas ?
Parce que les acides aminés d'un repas protéiné entrent en concurrence avec ceux de la gélule au moment de l'absorption intestinale.
Les gélules conviennent-elles aux végétaliens ?
Oui. Les trois acides aminés sont obtenus par fermentation et l'enveloppe est en hypromellose végétale.
La Now Foods L-Arginine 500 mg apporte 500 mg de L-arginine libre par gélule végétale, soit 1 g pour la dose de deux gélules indiquée par le fabricant. Trois ingrédients en tout. Flacon de 100 gélules, soit 50 doses.
Composition
Soit 500 mg par gélule. Autres ingrédients : gélule végétale (hypromellose), acide stéarique d'origine végétale, dioxyde de silicium. C'est la formule d'arginine la plus courte du rayon : trois excipients, pas d'enrobage, pas de gélatine. Convient aux végétariens et aux végétaliens.
Gélule ou comprimé
Le comprimé 1000 mg du rayon apporte le même gramme en une seule unité, avec un enrobage et deux excipients de compression de plus. Ici vous avalez deux gélules pour la même quantité, mais la liste d'ingrédients est plus courte. À vous de choisir ce qui compte.
Questions fréquentes
Pourquoi 500 mg et non 1000 ?
Parce que l'arginine libre est volumineuse : 1 g ne tient pas dans une gélule de taille raisonnable. Le comprimé 1000 mg y parvient grâce à la compression et à un enrobage.
Est-ce vegan ?
Oui. Gélule en hypromellose, excipients d'origine végétale ou minérale.
La Now Foods Arginine et Citrulline associe 500 mg de L-arginine libre et 250 mg de L-citrulline libre dans une seule gélule végétale. Trois excipients, rien d'autre. Flacon de 120 gélules.
Composition
Autres ingrédients : gélule végétale (hypromellose), acide stéarique d'origine végétale, dioxyde de silicium. Sans gélatine : convient aux végétariens et aux végétaliens.
Forme libre, et ce que cela veut dire concrètement
Les deux acides aminés sont déclarés sous forme libre, et non sous forme de chlorhydrate. Conséquence pratique : les 500 mg annoncés sont 500 mg d'arginine, et non 500 mg d'un sel dont l'arginine ne représenterait qu'une partie. C'est une différence de lecture d'étiquette qui mérite d'être connue — le comprimé 1000 mg du rayon, par exemple, part de chlorhydrate de L-arginine mais déclare bien 1 g d'arginine.
Questions fréquentes
« Forme libre », qu'est-ce que cela change ?
Les 500 mg déclarés sont 500 mg d'arginine, et non d'un sel dont l'arginine ne serait qu'une fraction. C'est une précision de lecture d'étiquette.
Est-ce vegan ?
Oui. Gélule en hypromellose, excipients d'origine végétale ou minérale.
Un seul ingrédient, en poudre
La L-arginine est un acide aminé semi-essentiel, présent dans l'alimentation surtout via les fruits à coque, les graines, la viande et le poisson.
Cette poudre NOW Foods n'en contient rien d'autre : pas d'arôme, pas d'édulcorant, pas d'agent de charge. Deux cuillères à café rases, soit environ 6 g, apportent 6 000 mg de L-arginine en forme libre.
Le pot de 454 g représente environ 76 doses. C'est la présentation la plus économique au gramme d'arginine.
Questions fréquentes
Quel goût a la poudre ?
Légèrement amer, comme la plupart des acides aminés purs. Un jus de fruit masque mieux ce goût que l'eau.
Poudre ou gélules ?
La poudre revient nettement moins cher au gramme et permet des doses élevées ; les gélules sont plus pratiques à transporter et dosent 700 mg l'unité.
La poudre se dissout-elle bien ?
Oui, dans un liquide à température ambiante, en remuant quelques secondes.
Est-ce végétalien ?
Oui. La L-arginine est obtenue par fermentation et la poudre ne contient aucun autre ingrédient.
Qu'est-ce que la L-Arginine 1600 mg de Skill Nutrition ?
C'est de la L-arginine en gélules végétales, signée Skill Nutrition. La liste des ingrédients tient en deux lignes : l'acide aminé et l'enveloppe de la gélule, en hydroxypropylméthylcellulose. Rien d'autre : pas d'agent de charge, pas d'arôme, pas de colorant.
L'arginine est un acide aminé que l'organisme sait fabriquer lui-même, mais dont le besoin grimpe dans certaines situations, à commencer par les efforts intenses. C'est ce qui lui vaut sa place de classique du rayon acides aminés. Le reste de la gamme se parcourt dans notre rayon Skill Nutrition.
Ce qu'il y a dans la L-Arginine 1600 mg
Chaque gélule apporte 800 mg de L-arginine, et la portion complète en aligne 1 600 mg. C'est un dosage franc pour une gélule : beaucoup de flacons du rayon s'arrêtent plus bas, ce qui oblige à en avaler davantage pour le même apport.
Le reste du panneau tient en une ligne : 1 kcal pour la portion, zéro lipide, zéro glucide, zéro sucre, zéro sel, et 0,3 g de fibres qui viennent de l'enveloppe.
Le flacon compte 120 gélules. L'acide aminé est encapsulé sans excipient technologique inutile, et le produit répond aux exigences des régimes végétalien, casher et halal.
À qui s'adresse la L-Arginine 1600 mg ?
Aux sportifs en période de charge, qui enchaînent les séances et veulent soutenir leur apport en acides aminés sans multiplier les poudres. La gélule a l'avantage du voyage : elle se glisse dans un sac de sport, sans doseur ni shaker à nettoyer.
Elle parle aussi à ceux qui préfèrent la gélule à la poudre pour une raison simple : l'arginine pure a un goût amer et difficile à masquer dans un verre. Enfermée dans une gélule, la question ne se pose plus.
C'est enfin le choix de ceux qui montent leur complémentation brique par brique et veulent chaque actif à part, plutôt qu'un mélange tout prêt dont ils ne règlent rien.
Questions fréquentes
Qu'est-ce que l'arginine ?
Un acide aminé que l'organisme synthétise lui-même et que l'on trouve aussi dans l'alimentation. Il sert de brique de départ à plusieurs molécules du métabolisme, dont la créatine.
Quels sont les bienfaits de l'arginine ?
C'est une brique de départ du métabolisme : l'organisme s'en sert notamment pour fabriquer de la créatine. En nutrition sportive, elle se place autour de la séance, et ce qui est chiffré sur l'étiquette, c'est la quantité apportée : 800 mg par gélule.
Quel est l'aliment le plus riche en arginine ?
Les fruits à coque arrivent en tête, cacahuètes et noix en particulier, suivis des graines de courge, du soja et des viandes. Une gélule de 800 mg vise simplement à concentrer cet apport.
Quand prendre de l'arginine ?
Les sportifs la placent le plus souvent autour de l'entraînement. Le détail figure dans l'onglet Conseils d'utilisation de cette page.
Quelle différence entre arginine et AAKG ?
L'AAKG, ou arginine alpha-cétoglutarate, est une arginine liée à une autre molécule. Ici, c'est de la L-arginine libre, sans sel associé : les 800 mg par gélule ne se partagent avec rien.
Les gélules conviennent-elles aux végétaliens ?
Oui. L'enveloppe est en hydroxypropylméthylcellulose, d'origine végétale, et le produit répond également aux exigences des régimes casher et halal.
Où acheter de la L-arginine ?
Dans notre rayon Skill Nutrition, en ligne, et dans notre magasin de Vendargues près de Montpellier.
Où acheter la L-Arginine 1600 mg de Skill Nutrition ?
Le flacon de 120 gélules se commande depuis cette page, et nous expédions partout en France et en Europe. Notre magasin se trouve à Vendargues, à une dizaine de minutes de Montpellier, et le flacon y est en rayon.
Le reste de la marque se parcourt dans la collection Skill Nutrition.
Retrait au magasin sous 2 h
À Vendargues, près de Montpellier. Vous êtes prévenu dès que la commande est prête.
Commandé avant 14 h, expédié le jour même
Du lundi au samedi. Le délai d'acheminement appartient ensuite au transporteur.
Livraison offerte dès 69 €
En France métropolitaine, et dès 100 € en Europe. Modes et délais.
Une question avant de commander ?
Écrivez-nous ou passez au magasin : on connaît les produits qu'on vend.
What is the effect of L-arginine in the body?
L-arginine is a semi-essential amino acid: the body can produce it, but not always in sufficient quantities, especially during growth or significant physiological stress. It is obtained through diet from meat, fish, dairy products, nuts, and legumes.
Its most discussed effect in sports nutrition involves the nitric oxide pathway. The NO-synthase enzyme converts arginine into nitric oxide, a gaseous molecule that relaxes blood vessel walls and increases local blood flow. This mechanism explains the presence of arginine in almost all "pump" pre-workouts: more blood in the muscle during exertion, leading to greater congestion, and theoretically better delivery of oxygen and nutrients.
Arginine is also involved elsewhere. It is a link in the urea cycle, the pathway by which the body eliminates nitrogen from protein metabolism. It serves as a precursor to endogenous creatine and polyamines involved in cell renewal. Finally, it participates in hormonal secretion mechanisms, which fueled extensive literature on growth hormone in the 1990s—literature whose practical conclusions for a healthy individual proved to be much less significant than announced.
These roles are real at the physiological level. The question that matters to a consumer is different: what happens when you take arginine in powder or capsule form?
Why is citrulline more effective orally?
It must be said clearly, even if it leads some readers to another section: to raise blood arginine levels, citrulline works better than arginine itself. Two obstacles explain this paradox.
The first is the first-pass effect. Ingested arginine is massively taken up by the intestine and liver before reaching general circulation. A significant portion of the dose is metabolized on site, and what actually reaches the muscle is much less than what the label measurement suggests.
The second is arginase, an enzyme abundant in the intestine and liver, which degrades arginine into ornithine and urea. The higher the oral dose, the more this pathway is used. This is why increasing the dose does not solve the problem: it primarily feeds the enzyme responsible for destroying it.
Citrulline, on the other hand, avoids both. It is not a substrate of arginase and passes through the liver without being taken up; it is then converted to arginine by the kidney, downstream of these obstacles. The counter-intuitive but well-established result: a given dose of citrulline increases plasma arginine levels more and more durably than the same dose of arginine. If your goal is pump during training, you should turn to our citrulline section, with 6 to 8 g before your session, and not to arginine.
In what cases does L-arginine still have an interest?
This superiority of citrulline does not make arginine useless. Three uses remain defensible.
AAKG and salt forms. Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate combines the amino acid with alpha-ketoglutarate, an intermediate of the Krebs cycle. Forms like AAKG or arginine HCl aim for better stability and more consistent absorption. The difference with free arginine remains modest, but these forms constitute a classic and well-tolerated basis for pump formulas, often alongside citrulline rather than in its place.
High doses. Protocols showing a measurable effect on plasma arginine use 3 to 6 g, sometimes more. Below 3 g, the first-pass effect absorbs almost the entire dose. A formula announcing 500 mg of arginine per serving checks a marketing box, nothing more.
Non-sporting contexts. Arginine is used in medical settings in situations of increased needs, and it is found in pharmacies in various forms, often combined with other active ingredients. These uses require a prescription and monitoring: they do not translate to self-decided workout supplementation, and we do not enter this field.
A word about a related ingredient, often associated with arginine in pump formulas: glycerol, which does not act on nitric oxide but retains water in the vascular and muscular compartments. It is a supplement, not a substitute. Our caffeine-free boosters frequently combine these two approaches.
What are the dangers of L-arginine?
The question of the dangers of L-arginine deserves a precise answer rather than a reassuring statement. At dietary doses, this amino acid is consumed daily by everyone without difficulty. At supplementation doses, a few points deserve real attention.
Digestive disorders. This is the most common side effect, and it is dose-dependent. Beyond 5 to 10 g in a single dose, nausea, bloating, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea become common. The mechanism is partly osmotic: a large load of free amino acid in the intestine draws water. Splitting the dose and taking it with some food limits the problem.
Interactions with vasodilators and antihypertensive treatments. This is the most important point, and it is not theoretical. Arginine acts on the same pathway as several classes of medications: nitrates, antihypertensive treatments, PDE5 inhibitors. The addition of two vasodilatory effects can cause blood pressure to drop beyond what is desirable. If you are on any of these treatments, the question must be posed to your doctor or pharmacist before starting, not after.
Herpes. The HSV virus uses arginine for its replication, and the ratio between arginine and lysine in the diet is a factor discussed in the occurrence of outbreaks. The data is not definitive, but if you are prone to recurrent outbreaks, this is something to consider and discuss with your doctor before prolonged high-dose supplementation.
Kidney and liver pathologies. Arginine is part of the urea cycle, which the liver and kidneys ensure functions and eliminates products. In cases of kidney or liver failure, an additional load of amino acids is not trivial and requires medical advice.
Specific situations. Pregnancy and breastfeeding, post-infarction period, severe asthma, and ongoing treatments in general: caution involves seeking advice from a healthcare professional rather than relying on a label. There is nothing alarming for a healthy adult who respects the doses, but nothing that justifies ignoring these situations either. European evaluations of amino acids in dietary supplements are the responsibility of the EFSA, and French recommendations are from ANSES.
What dose and when?
For training-related use, the useful range is between 3 and 6 g, taken 45 to 60 minutes before the session — a longer delay than for citrulline, whose peak is later but pathway is more direct. AAKG forms are used in the same range.
Start with 3 g to assess your digestive tolerance before going higher. Beyond 6 g in a single dose, the discomfort-to-benefit ratio significantly deteriorates.
If you are already taking citrulline, there is no reason to add a high dose of arginine on top: both feed the same pathway, and the latter is the less effective of the two orally. Conversely, arginine combines easily with ingredients that act through other mechanisms: beta-alanine for acid buffering, electrolytes for hydration, EAAs during training.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is L-arginine?
A semi-essential amino acid: the body can produce it, but not always in sufficient quantities during growth or significant physiological stress. The "L-" prefix simply denotes the natural form, the one found in dietary proteins. As a supplement, it comes as pure powder, capsules, or in salt form such as arginine HCl and AAKG. Its most commented role in sports nutrition is to be the direct precursor of nitric oxide, the molecule that relaxes blood vessel walls and increases local blood flow.
What are the benefits of L-arginine?
First, it's important to state what doesn't exist: no health claims are authorized in Europe for arginine, as none have passed evaluation by the EFSA. What is documented pertains to physiology, not promised benefits. It is the substrate for NO-synthase, and thus for nitric oxide and vasodilation; it is a link in the urea cycle, through which nitrogen from proteins is eliminated; it serves as a precursor to endogenous creatine and polyamines involved in cell renewal. Useful to know, but insufficient to promise a specific outcome.
What effects does L-arginine have?
Honestly, very little, and this is what often leads to disappointment. The only noticeable effect is sometimes a slightly more pronounced pump during training, with doses of 3 to 6 g taken 45 to 60 minutes beforehand: veins become more visible, muscles appear fuller. The sensation is real but modest, and many cannot distinguish it from a placebo. No stimulating effect, no energy boost, no strength gain: in this regard, creatine monohydrate remains the benchmark supplement.
When should I take arginine?
45 to 60 minutes before your workout if your goal is muscle pump—a longer delay than for citrulline, allowing time for the fraction escaping the liver to reach circulation. On an empty stomach or away from a protein-rich meal is preferable: other amino acids compete for the same intestinal transporters. Outside of training, no specific time has shown particular benefit, including evening intake sometimes presented as favorable for growth hormone: protocols showing this effect used intravenous doses unrelated to a capsule.
How much arginine per day?
Between 3 and 6g per dose for training-related use. Below 3g, the intestine and liver capture almost the entire dose, and nothing measurable happens—formulas displaying 500mg per serving check a marketing box. Beyond 6g in a single dose, digestive comfort significantly deteriorates without additional benefit, as the enzyme that degrades arginine is simply more active. Start at 3g to assess your tolerance, and don't forget to account for the arginine already present in your booster.
What are the dangers of arginine?
At dietary doses, none: everyone consumes it daily. At supplementation doses, four points deserve real attention. First, digestive issues—nausea, bloating, diarrhea beyond 5 to 10 g in a single dose. Second, drug interactions, and this is the most important point: arginine acts on the same pathway as nitrates, antihypertensives, and PDE5 inhibitors, and the addition of two vasodilatory effects can cause blood pressure to drop—ask your doctor before, not after. Third, herpes: the virus uses arginine to replicate, a factor to consider in cases of recurrent outbreaks. Finally, kidney or liver failure, as arginine is part of the urea cycle. Pregnancy, breastfeeding, and ongoing treatments fall under the same precautionary principle.
Is L-arginine a vasodilator?
Indirectly. It is the substrate that NO-synthase converts into nitric oxide, which relaxes the smooth muscle of the vascular wall and increases local blood flow: it is not the arginine itself that dilates, but its raw material. Two nuances are important. The oral route is not efficient, as the intestine and liver capture most of the dose before it reaches circulation. And it is precisely this vascular action that dictates the main precaution for the product: never add it to a vasodilator or antihypertensive treatment without medical advice.
Does arginine cause weight gain?
No. A dose of 3 to 6 g provides twelve to twenty kilocalories, an amount without effect on the day's energy balance. The only weight variation sometimes observed with pump formulas comes from water retained by glycerol or creatine that accompanies them, not from arginine, and it disappears upon discontinuation.
Does arginine make you grow taller?
No, and this confusion must be cleared up directly. The idea comes from studies in the 1990s showing that a high-dose intravenous infusion of arginine causes a transient peak of growth hormone—a test used in endocrinology, not an effect reproducible with a capsule. Orally, the elevation is small, brief, and has no demonstrated consequence on height, muscle mass, or recovery. Adult height depends on genetics, overall nutrition during growth, and hormonal status: no dietary supplement modifies it. For children and adolescents, these products are not indicated, and any growth-related questions should be addressed to a doctor.
Where can I find arginine, and which food contains the most?
The densest sources are not what you might expect: pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, and sesame seeds contain proportionally more than meat. Next are turkey, chicken, pork, fish, dairy products, soy, chickpeas, and lentils. A typical diet provides several grams per day, which is largely sufficient for a healthy adult. The Ciqual database details the amino acid composition food by food.
What is the value of arginine sold in pharmacies?
It's the same amino acid, obtained through the same fermentation processes. Differences lie in the galenic form—sachets, ampoules, capsules—, the dosage per unit, and associations with other active ingredients, which often drive up the price per gram. Some presentations are also medicinal products, with their own indications and follow-up: they do not translate to self-decided training supplementation. Compare the actual amount of arginine per dose and the price per gram, rather than the distribution channel.
L-arginine or citrulline, which to choose?
Citrulline, in almost all cases where the goal is muscle pump during training. It raises blood arginine levels more than arginine itself, for the reasons explained above. Arginine still has its place in combined formulas and in AAKG form.
Can it be combined with a booster?
Yes, provided the doses are added up. Many pump formulas already contain arginine or AAKG: check the label before adding more, just as you would for citrulline. The boosters section and our selection of creatine-free pre-workouts detail how to read a nutritional label.
What forms of arginine do we offer?
Our selection covers both approaches. IO.Genix offers Kyowa quality arginine, a fermentation manufacturing benchmark, for those who want the amino acid alone and well-identified. Sinob offers the AAKG version, intended for pump formulas. Peak Performance Nutrition completes the range with liquid glycerol, which acts on cell volume through a distinct mechanism and combines well with an arginine or citrulline base.
If your goal is purely pump, the honest comparison remains with the citrulline section, which is more effective at equal doses and generally better tolerated digestively.
Discuss near Montpellier
Our store in Vendargues, about ten minutes from Montpellier, allows you to ask questions that don't belong in a product sheet, starting with questions about ongoing treatments. We prefer to suggest another product, or recommend consulting your doctor, rather than selling a supplement that isn't suitable for your situation. We also ship throughout France and Europe.
Sources
- ANSES — Les compléments alimentaires
- Règlement UE n° 432/2012 — allégations de santé autorisées
- Règlement CE n° 1924/2006 — allégations nutritionnelles et de santé
À intégrer dans une alimentation variée et équilibrée et un mode de vie sain.
Questions fréquentes — L-Arginine
Qu'est-ce que la L-arginine ?
Un acide aminé semi-essentiel : l'organisme sait le fabriquer, mais pas toujours en quantité suffisante lors de la croissance ou d'un stress physiologique important. Le préfixe « L- » désigne simplement la forme naturelle, celle que l'on trouve dans les protéines alimentaires. En supplément, elle se présente en poudre pure, en gélules, ou sous forme salifiée comme l'arginine HCl et l'AAKG. Son rôle le plus commenté en nutrition sportive est d'être le précurseur direct de l'oxyde nitrique, la molécule qui relâche la paroi des vaisseaux et augmente le débit sanguin local.
Quels sont les bienfaits de la L-arginine ?
Le cadre d'abord : aucune allégation de santé n'est autorisée en Europe pour l'arginine, l'EFSA n'en ayant validé aucune. Ce qui est documenté relève de la physiologie : elle est le substrat de la NO-synthase, donc de l'oxyde nitrique et de la vasodilatation ; elle est un maillon du cycle de l'urée, par lequel l'azote issu des protéines est éliminé ; elle sert de précurseur à la créatine endogène et aux polyamines du renouvellement cellulaire.
Quels effets ressent-on avec la L-arginine ?
Le ressenti possible est une congestion un peu plus marquée à l'entraînement, sur des doses de 3 à 6 g prises 45 à 60 minutes avant : les veines ressortent, le muscle paraît plus plein. L'arginine n'est pas un stimulant : pas de coup de fouet. Pour la force maximale, c'est la créatine monohydrate qui est le complément de référence.
Quand prendre de l'arginine ?
45 à 60 minutes avant la séance si votre objectif est la congestion. À jeun ou à distance d'un repas riche en protéines de préférence : les autres acides aminés entrent en compétition pour les mêmes transporteurs intestinaux. En dehors de l'entraînement, aucun moment n'a démontré d'intérêt particulier, y compris la prise du soir parfois présentée comme favorable à l'hormone de croissance : les protocoles qui montraient cet effet utilisaient des doses intraveineuses sans rapport avec une gélule.
Quelle quantité d'arginine par jour ?
Entre 3 et 6 g par prise pour un usage lié à l'entraînement. En dessous de 3 g, l'intestin et le foie captent l'essentiel de la dose : c'est le chiffre à vérifier sur une étiquette. Au-delà de 6 g en une fois, le confort digestif se dégrade sans bénéfice supplémentaire, l'enzyme qui dégrade l'arginine étant davantage sollicitée. Commencez à 3 g pour évaluer votre tolérance, et comptez l'arginine déjà présente dans votre booster.
Quels sont les points de vigilance de l'arginine ?
Aux doses alimentaires, aucun : tout le monde en consomme quotidiennement. Aux doses de supplémentation, quatre points méritent une attention réelle. Les troubles digestifs d'abord — nausées, ballonnements, diarrhées au-delà de 5 à 10 g en une prise. Les interactions médicamenteuses ensuite, et c'est le point le plus important : l'arginine agit sur la même voie que les dérivés nitrés, les antihypertenseurs et les inhibiteurs de la PDE5, et l'addition de deux effets vasodilatateurs peut faire chuter la tension — posez la question à votre médecin avant de commencer. L'herpès ensuite : le virus utilise l'arginine pour se répliquer, un élément à évoquer en cas de poussées récurrentes. L'insuffisance rénale ou hépatique enfin, l'arginine s'inscrivant dans le cycle de l'urée. Grossesse, allaitement et traitements en cours relèvent du même principe de précaution.
La L-arginine est-elle un vasodilatateur ?
Indirectement. Elle est le substrat que la NO-synthase transforme en oxyde nitrique, lequel relâche la musculature lisse de la paroi vasculaire et augmente le débit sanguin local : c'est donc sa matière première. Deux nuances comptent. Par voie orale, l'intestin et le foie captent une grande partie de la dose, d'où la fourchette de 3 à 6 g. Et c'est précisément cette action vasculaire qui impose la principale précaution du produit : ne jamais l'ajouter à un traitement vasodilatateur ou antihypertenseur sans avis médical.
Est-ce que l'arginine fait grossir ?
Non. Une dose de 3 à 6 g apporte une douzaine à une vingtaine de kilocalories, une quantité sans effet sur le bilan énergétique de la journée. La seule variation de poids parfois observée avec les formules de congestion vient de l'eau retenue par le glycérol ou la créatine qui les accompagnent, et elle disparaît à l'arrêt.
Est-ce que l'arginine fait grandir ?
Non. L'idée vient de travaux des années 1990 montrant qu'une perfusion intraveineuse d'arginine à forte dose provoque un pic transitoire d'hormone de croissance — un test utilisé en endocrinologie, pas un effet reproductible avec une gélule. Par voie orale, l'élévation est faible et brève. La taille adulte dépend de la génétique, de la nutrition globale pendant la croissance et du statut hormonal. Chez l'enfant et l'adolescent, ces produits ne sont pas indiqués, et toute question de croissance relève du médecin.
Où trouver de l'arginine, et quel aliment en contient le plus ?
Les sources les plus denses ne sont pas celles qu'on imagine : les graines de courge, les cacahuètes, les amandes, les noix et les graines de sésame en contiennent proportionnellement plus que la viande. Viennent ensuite la dinde, le poulet, le porc, les poissons, les produits laitiers, le soja, les pois chiches et les lentilles. Une alimentation ordinaire en apporte plusieurs grammes par jour. La base Ciqual détaille la composition en acides aminés aliment par aliment.
Quelle forme d'arginine choisir ?
Toutes les présentations apportent le même acide aminé, obtenu par fermentation. Les différences portent sur la forme — poudre pure, gélules, arginine HCl, AAKG —, sur la quantité réelle d'arginine par prise et sur les associations avec d'autres actifs. C'est donc la dose par prise, lue sur le tableau nutritionnel, qui permet de comparer deux produits.
L-arginine ou citrulline, laquelle choisir ?
La citrulline, dans la quasi-totalité des cas où l'objectif est la congestion à l'entraînement. Elle élève davantage l'arginine sanguine que l'arginine elle-même, pour les raisons expliquées plus haut. L'arginine garde sa place dans les formules combinées et sous forme d'AAKG.
Peut-on l'associer à un booster ?
Oui, à condition d'additionner les doses. Beaucoup de formules pump contiennent déjà de l'arginine ou de l'AAKG : vérifiez l'étiquette avant d'en ajouter, comme vous le feriez pour la citrulline. Le rayon boosters et notre sélection pre-workout sans créatine détaillent la lecture d'un tableau nutritionnel.
