Best Fit Profiles
- cardiovascular and vascular function support
Nitric oxide precursor and vascular health
L-Arginine
Arginine is the primary dietary precursor to nitric oxide, supporting endothelial function. RCTs show modest blood pressure reduction; citrulline may be more effective due to better bioavailability.
Evidence Level B
Evidence and Risk Labels
Evidence A/B/C reflects research maturity, and risk levels reflect monitoring needs. These labels support comparison, not diagnosis or treatment decisions.
See full scoring guideClinical Snapshot
- Effect Size
- Modest reductions in blood pressure and endothelial markers; smaller effect than citrulline at equivalent intake
- Safety
- Low Risk
May worsen herpes simplex outbreaks; high doses (>10 g/day) associated with GI discomfort.
Research Dosing
This reflects common ranges and protocols used in published studies, not personal medical advice.
- Typical Daily Dose
- 3-6 g
- Timing
- Before exercise or with meals
- Protocol Duration in Studies
- 8-12 weeks for cardiovascular endpoints
Citrulline-malate is generally preferred for NO support due to superior bioavailability.