Jan wants to purchase arginine as a weight-control product at the ...

[azncindy619]

Jan wants to purchase arginine as a weight-control product at the local health food store. Would you encourage her to do this? Why or why not?

Question 2

Eliza's boyfriend wants to purchase amino acid supplements to enhance his athletic performance. What would you advise her to say regarding these supplements?

[aruss1303]

Answer to Question 1

Jan should be advised not to purchase arginine.

Arginine is an amino acid that has been promoted as causing weight loss overnight by stimulating secretion of a substance called human growth hormone, which in turn supposedly promotes weight loss. Although it's true that arginine can prompt the release of the hormone, it does so only when people take whopping doses that are unlikely to be found in supplements. Furthermore, even if a person were to take enough arginine to prompt a surge of the hormone in the body, he or she wouldn't automatically shed pounds. Human growth hormone has not been found to cause weight loss. Thus, claims that arginine burns fat are spurious at best. An FDA advisory panel on over-the-counter weight loss products investigated arginine along with 11 other amino acids touted as diet aidscystine, histidine, isoleucine, leucine, L-lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valineand found no basis for the claims about the effectiveness of any of these products in controlling weight.

Answer to Question 2

A person considering amino acid supplements may want to consider the following:

 Scientific-sounding names notwithstanding, such products have never been proven to increase muscle size or enhance athletic prowess.
 The body can't store extra amino acids, whether they come from food you eat or from supplements. Your body converts the excess into fat. This conversion generates urea, which increases your body's need for water. Increased urination of urea can lead to dehydration, which impedes training and performance.
 The labels of most amino acid supplements failed to carry vital information such as suggested doses, shelf life, and contraindications for use of the product. In addition, a panel selected by the FDA identified certain groups of people who may be at particularly high risk for suffering health problems as a result of swallowing amino acid supplements. Children and teenagers, for example, may not grow properly if they take amino acid pills or powders.
 Special protein supplements are typically very expensive.