Can L-arginine tablets be used during pregnancy?

Amino acids form the molecular basis of proteins. L-Arginine is one of the most important amino acids that plays various functions in the human body. The role of L-arginine is not only in exercise and muscle building, but this amino acid as a precursor to the synthesis of nitric oxide in the body dilates blood vessels and reduces the healing time of injuries. The price of L-arginine tablets varies depending on the dose, number and brand, but can everyone use this supplement? The use of L-arginine tablets in pregnancy is the subject of this article.

What are the sources of L-arginine?

L-Arginine is an amino acid that the human body alone can produce. L-arginine belongs to the group of semi-essential amino acids; This means that most of the L-arginine needed by the body is made by the body itself. However, L-arginine can also be obtained from dietary sources and bodybuilding supplements. The richest food sources of L-arginine are:

• Red Meat
• Seafood
• dairy
• Granola
• Oatmeal
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Soy

L-arginine supplements are used to help compensate for the deficiency of this substance in the body and improve health problems. Experts say L-arginine tablets should not be used in combination with blood pressure medications or nitrates that improve blood flow to the heart because of drug interactions. If you know how to take L-arginine correctly, this supplement will be completely safe for you.

Taking L-arginine tablets during pregnancy

L-Arginine may have benefits for pregnant women:

L-arginine and preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is a disorder of pregnancy that can occur in 5 to 7% of pregnancies. This condition causes high blood pressure in the pregnant mother and may even lead to protein excretion in the urine. Preeclampsia often shows up after the twentieth week of pregnancy. Left untreated, preeclampsia is dangerous and can lead to miscarriage or death.

L-Arginine can be used to reduce high blood pressure (preeclampsia) in pregnant women. Arginine also improves fetal health and growth in pregnant women with preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can have many causes, but one hypothesis for the potential origin of preeclampsia is arginine deficiency in the body. This hypothesis has been suggested because L-arginine deficiency has a negative effect on synthesis Nitric oxide It prevents blood flow from happening properly in the body.

Results of research on the effect of L-arginine on preeclampsia

A study of L-arginine tablets in pregnancy was conducted in 2011 and the results were published in the British Medical Journal. The study found that medical foods (foods that are specially prepared for patients) that contain L-arginine and vitamins that have antioxidant properties would significantly reduce the incidence of preeclampsia in high-risk individuals. In this study, pregnant women started L-arginine treatment from the 14th week of pregnancy. However, researchers still believe that more studies are needed in this area to be able to speak with certainty.

Warnings about taking L-arginine tablets during pregnancy

Note the following:

• Most evidence suggests that L-arginine works best in early pregnancy.
• For women with preeclampsia at 28 to 36 weeks’ gestation, diastolic blood pressure may not decrease with L-arginine.
• Be sure to consult your doctor before taking L-arginine tablets during pregnancy.
• L-arginine may be safe for short-term use by pregnant women, but should not be taken arbitrarily as there is insufficient information about the effects of taking this amino acid during pregnancy.

As mentioned, more research is needed on the side effects associated with long-term use of L-arginine during pregnancy; Therefore, we do not recommend any pregnant woman to take L-arginine supplement arbitrarily.

Does L-arginine increase fetal weight?

Since L-arginine is a precursor to nitric acid in the body, it can play an important role in nourishing and oxygenating the fetus. In this case, because the nutrients reach the fetus better, it is possible that the fetus will have a better weight at birth and the infant mortality will decrease after birth.

Dosage of L-arginine during pregnancy

For the treatment of preeclampsia, if L-arginine is to be used, the recommended dose is usually between 3 and 8 grams per day for up to 12 weeks or until delivery. In some cases, L-arginine is used as an injection to reduce high blood pressure in pregnant women. Note that long-term use of L-arginine is often not recommended during pregnancy as it may have unknown side effects.

Concluding remarks

L-arginine tablets should be taken during pregnancy only with the advice of a doctor. L-Arginine may improve preeclampsia in pregnant women. Preeclampsia is a complication that manifests itself with high blood pressure. This ability of L-arginine is due to the ability of this amino acid to produce nitric oxide. Nitric oxide improves blood flow by dilating blood vessels. This may lead to better oxygenation and nutrition for the fetus and better growth. Since there is not much research on the effect of L-arginine during pregnancy, its use is prohibited without a doctor’s prescription.