In a small, double-blind, randomized controlled crossover trial, twelve healthy older-aged adults took supplemental arginine or placebo for 14 days, and treatments were then crossed over after a 14-day washout period. Flow-mediated dilation (a measure of endothelial function) of the brachial artery was monitored by ultrasound. Arginine improved flow-mediated dilation whereas placebo had no effect. Since endothelial function is normally compromised in healthy adults as we age, the results indicate that arginine is a useful supplemental nutrient to promote healthy endothelial function in healthy, aging individuals.13
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