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Citrulline, amino acid, functions and benefits
What is citrulline?
Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that is synthesized from another amino acid, arginine.
The abbreviation for this amino acid is Ctr.
Properties of citrulline
It is related to an increase in the improvement of sports recovery, by helping to expel toxic substances from the muscle.
Citrulline helps to transform residual toxic substances in the muscles after sports, such as accumulations of nitrogen, in urea, so that they can be eliminated more easily through the kidneys through urine.
It also has a relaxing effect at the vascular level, which favors several organs such as the lungs or the heart.
One of the most striking studies conducted on this amino acid is due to its aphrodisiac properties: In a scientific study conducted by Wuhan University (China), L-citrulline was isolated from watermelon, and it was observed that its supplementation during 8 weeks had effects on the organism similar to those that are produced with viagra, being a possible field to investigate against erectile dysfunction. Citrulline improved the levels of nitric oxide and nitric oxide synthase, two substances that are produced in the penis to promote erection.
Citrulline for sport
Its most habitual consumption is due to its comforting properties post exercise, that is, it favors the recovery of the muscles, it avoids the sensation of fatigue, muscular pain and subsequent aches to carry out intense sport.
One of the main functions of this amino acid, along with arginine and ornithine, is to allow the production of urea due to its important role in what is called the urea cycle (metabolic path that allows the elimination of excess of ammonium cation ( NH4 +) from the catabolism of amino acids to be eliminated in the form of urea).
Contraindications of citrulline
Pregnant women or people suffering from liver and kidney diseases should not take citrulline supplements.
More information on citrulline and amino acids
