Citrulline

WHAT IS CITRULLINE?

Are you looking for a supplement that can help improve your circulation, reduce your blood pressure, and ramp up your fitness? If so, you should consider citrulline.

Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid, that was first discovered in watermelon. Unlike other amino acids, citrulline is not used to make protein, and although it’s not considered essential, it does offer some really impressive health benefits. Citrulline helps detoxify the body of ammonia, a by-product of exercise. This clearing helps you recover after a workout. Citrulline also helps boost energy and stimulates the immune system.

One of the most important features of citrulline is that it is a precursor of Arginine – another non-essential amino acid used to produce Nitric Oxide (NO), a compound that acts as a vasodilator to relax the muscles in your blood vessels and improve circulation. Because of this, supplementing with citrulline helps optimize blood flow throughout your body, enhances oxygen uptake, promotes muscle growth, and boosts your overall exercise performance.

BENEFITS of CITRULLINE

• Enhances Exercise Performance
• Improves Vascular Blood Flow
• Promotes Nitric Oxide (NO) Production
• Supports Healthy Blood Pressure
• Helps Cardiovascular Health
  
  

WHO NEEDS CITRULLINE?

Naturopaths often recommend citrulline supplementation for those concerned with their cardiovascular health and those with diagnosed cardiovascular conditions such as arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), high blood pressure or blood flow issues/poor circulation and athletes wishing to enhance their overall exercise performance or optimize muscle growth (anabolism).

CITRULLINE POTENCIES & FORMATS

Citrulline is typically found as L-citrulline, which contains only citrulline, as well as citrulline malate, which contains citrulline and malic acid, a compound that helps optimize energy during exercise. For exercise performance, citrulline malate is ideal because it multiplies the benefits by providing better delivery of blood, oxygen and nutrients to exercising muscles, providing more sustained energy and performance.

Citrulline potency can vary considerably and dosing is largely dependent on the condition or purpose you’re using it for. For most applications, L-citrulline is typically recommended in doses of 3-5g daily. Doses of citrulline malate on the other hand, tends to be higher; usually in the 6-8g daily. However for erectile dysfunction, the dose tends to be lower, around 1.5g daily.

If supplementing with citrulline for athletic performance, pairing it with a magnesium supplement can increase and enhance muscle recovery.

For cardiovascular health, taking a B complex along with citrulline relieves stress and provides enhanced heart benefits.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT CITRULLINE FOR YOU

If you’re market for a good citrulline supplement, you’ll want to select a product that provides the form of citrulline that is best for your needs (cardiovascular & circulatory health vs. athletic performance).

Always follow label instructions. Citrulline is considered safe and effective and is associated with very few potential side effects. However, if you are already taking medication for high blood pressure, heart disease, or erectile dysfunction, please speak with your health care practitioner before use, as citrulline can amplify the effect of these medicines.