It’s not uncommon for our IV Therapy Toronto clinic to educate a patient during their initial consultation. In fact, amino acids are frequently discussed for customizing IV treatments.

“Amino acids are required for the synthesis of body protein and other important nitrogen-containing compounds, such as creatine, peptide hormones, and some neurotransmitters. Although allowances are expressed as protein, the biological requirement is for amino acids,” explains the National Research Council (US).

Amino acids have critical roles in the human body as protein “building blocks”. We actually need 20 different amino acids, such as Acetylcysteine or NAC, just to maintain energy and functionality!

They each operate differently to maintain hormonal and muscle health, improved brain function, to break food down, and more.

Arginine is one amino acid responsible for assisting with immune function and wound recovery, and it’s a precursor for some other amino acids. It promotes detoxification and could aid in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Also, arginine is needed for making nitric oxide (NO), which regulates blood flow and cellular functioning.

When arginine is taken intravenously with other IV amino acids, along with lifestyle modifications and oral supplements, it could support optimal functioning. In this article, the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre explains how IV therapy amino acids and arginine can act as beneficial ingredients for your wellness. 

Beneficial effects of arginine

If you decide to supplement with amino acids, over time you may see improvements to your energy levels and mood. Infusing arginine into your intravenous drips – when combined with oral support and lifestyle modifications – might encourage these benefits:

• Could help control blood sugar; in turn, it might increase antioxidant effects to combat oxidative stress and inflammation: We depend on  pancreatic B cells, also known as β cells, for releasing insulin and controlling glucose levels. These unique cells assist with synchronizing immune function, while supporting inflammatory pathways. Arginine has been shown to stimulate B cells, which fosters an antioxidant effect for fighting inflammation and aging of pancreatic cells. “We have demonstrated herein that l-arginine is an important stimulator of β-cell glucose consumption and intermediary metabolism,” explains a piece from the Journal of Endocrinology. “Such actions lead to increased insulin secretion, enhanced antioxidant and protective responses with greater functional integrity when challenged with proinflammatory cytokines.”
• Might help with managing blood pressure issues: As per studies, oral arginine supplementation could reduce blood pressure in patients with mildly-raised blood pressure levels. Additionally, arginine-infused supplementation has demonstrated to lower blood pressure levels in patients with hypertension. This amino acid might lessen oxidative stress and augment the functioning of the endothelium, too. Studies have also demonstrated substantial evidence of arginine acting as an anti-hypertensive agent in salt-sensitive models. This might be because of its capacity to improve NO (nitric oxide) bioavailability, particularly in the kidneys; in turn, it could positively impact the management of blood pressure health concerns.
• Could contribute to improving physical performance: Arginine supplementation shows promise for helping athletes increasing their tolerance to fatigue. This might apply to weightlifers for “improving strength and muscle workout capacity,” explains an article from The Journal of Nutrition Science Research. If you’re considering this to improve your physical prowess, please speak with your functional medicine provider as safe dosages might vary.

Does arginine supplementation sound appealing to you? Our IV nutrient therapy lounge could support your wellness with holistic therapies and functional medicine programs. 

How to get arginine as part of your intravenous infusion 

Known as vitamin drip therapy or IV nutrient therapy, IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre contains beneficial ingredients, such as high-dose vitamin C, vitamin B12, biotin, folic acid, zinc, NAD (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide), and other essential vitamins. 

At our clinic, arginine is available as one of the ingredients of an intravenous therapy drip mixed with a medley of amino acids. When this IV therapy drip is taken alongside oral support (i.e. supplements) and healthful lifestyle practices, it could support wellness. 

FYI: Vitamin drip treatments automatically bypass the digestive tract, as they directly enter the bloodstream through a vein. This is why IV therapy may be suitable for patients with malabsorption from a health condition or dysphagia. 

Truly, amino acids, including arginine, could play a role in functional medicine treatments. Interested in learning about our IV drip therapy or integrative approach to health? Book your complete diagnostic session today and become a new patient. 

About our practice and how to reach us

By becoming a patient at the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre, you can access our IV clinic and integrative and functional medicine programs for your mind, body, and soul. 

Our functional medicine providers empower patients to reach optimal health by helping with energy levels, brain health, cellular functioning, and more. Your process of recovery from chronic or acute health issues is important to us. Please know that in-person and virtual consultations are available. 

Functional medicine treatments can be customized for various health concerns, including immune function, thyroid conditions, athletic recovery, autoimmune conditions, mental performance, substance withdrawal symptoms, and lack of energy. We can also customize IV therapy drips as a personalized service to our patients. 

Could IV nutrient therapy help you achieve your health goals? Customize your treatment with intravenous amino acids and other beneficial ingredients. Click here to reach us for IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre. 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. Consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website.

References:

Arginine hydrochloride. IBM Micromedex. https://www.micromedexsolutions.com. Accessed Dec. 10, 2020.

Catherine J McNeal, Cynthia J Meininger, Deepika Reddy, Colin D Wilborn, Guoyao Wu, Safety and Effectiveness of Arginine in Adults, The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 146, Issue 12, December 2016, Pages 2587S–2593S, https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.116.234740

Cerf ME. Beta cell dysfunction and insulin resistance. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2013 Mar 27;4:37. doi: 10.3389/fendo.2013.00037. PMID: 23542897; PMCID: PMC3608918.

DiMagno MJ, Hao Y, Tsunoda Y, Williams JA, Owyang CSecretagogue-stimulated pancreatic secretion is differentially regulated by constitutive NOS isoforms in miceAm J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol.(2004 Mar)

Krause, M. S., McClenaghan, N. H., Flatt, P. R., Homem de Bittencourt, P. I., Murphy, C., & Newsholme, P. (2011). l-Arginine is essential for pancreatic β-cell functional integrity, metabolism and defense from inflammatory challenge, Journal of Endocrinology, 211(1), 87-97. Retrieved Sep 6, 2022, from https://joe.bioscientifica.com/view/journals/joe/211/1/87.xml

L-arginine. Natural Medicines. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com. Accessed Dec. 20, 2020.

L-arginine. Facts & Comparisons eAnswers. https://www.wolterskluwercdi.com/facts-comparisons-online/. Accessed Dec. 20, 2020.

McRae MP. Therapeutic Benefits of l-Arginine: An Umbrella Review of Meta-analyses. J Chiropr Med. 2016 Sep;15(3):184-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jcm.2016.06.002. Epub 2016 Sep 10. PMID: 27660594; PMCID: PMC5021928.

National Research Council (US) Subcommittee on the Tenth Edition of the Recommended Dietary Allowances. Recommended Dietary Allowances: 10th Edition. Washington (DC): National Academies Press (US); 1989. 6, Protein and Amino Acids. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK234922/

Rosinha IM, Teixeira VH, Costa OP (2016) Nitric Oxide/Arginine: Is Cardiovascular Modulation Effects in Athletes Supplementation? Sports Nutr Ther 1: 118. doi: 10.4172/2473-6449.1000118

Vasdev S, Gill V. The antihypertensive effect of arginine. Int J Angiol. 2008 Spring;17(1):7-22. doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1278274. PMID: 22477366; PMCID: PMC2728371.