Effect of oral L-Arginine supplementation on blood pressure : a meta-analysis of randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials

A 2011 study published in the Dec 2011 edition of the American Heart Journal concluded that L-arginine, an amino acid that is gaining popularity for patients with hypertension and Erectile Dysfunction (ED) does significantly lower both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The mechanism is that L-arginine promotes Nitric Oxide in the body which functions to dilate smaller arterioles in the body reducing overall blood pressure. This study was a meta-analysis of 11 other randomized, double blind placebo controlled trials involving 387 participants. This can be good news for people with hypertension and or ED looking to avoid medication and wishing to utilize a more natural treatment approach.

Am Heart J. 2011 Dec;162(6):959-65. doi: 10.1016/j.ahj.2011.09.012. Epub 2011 Nov 8.