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| L-Citrulline / Citrulline is an amino acid that supports the body in optimizing blood flow through its conversion to L-arginine and then nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is involved in vasodilatation, and low levels are associated with mental and physical fatigue and sexual dysfunction. Citrulline, which is considered a non-essential amino acid synthesized in the intestinal tract from Glutamine, converts to Arginine in the endothelial cells. This biochemical process involves L-Aspartate and the enzymes Argininosuccinate Synthetase and Argininosuccinate Lyase, in the presence of ATP. Arginine is important for Nitric Oxide production for cardiovascular health; however, most Arginine is utilized in the liver and kidneys, and only a fraction is available for this purpose. Since Citrulline is a precursor to Arginine, it allows for increased and sustained Nitric Oxide production in the endothelium for support of circulatory function. Oral Citrulline supplementation provides a readily available source of Citrulline for this purpose, and some recent research further indicates that Citrulline may be the preferred source of cellular Arginine. In addition Citrulline also increases energy, stimulates the immune system, and is essential for Urea Cycle function as well. |
| Perilla leaves are used in Chinese medicine to treat a wide variety of ailments and in Asian cooking as a garnish and to prevent food poisoning. Leaf extracts have shown antiallergic, anti-inflammatory, and tumor-preventing effects and may prevent the progression of glomerulonephritis*. Health benefits have been attributed to perilla oil, including reduction in cholesterol levels, tumor prevention, and improvement in age-related learning deficiencies. *Glomerulonephritis (glo-mer-u-lo-nuh-FRI-tis) is a type of kidney disease that hampers your kidneys' ability to remove waste and excess fluids. Also called glomerular disease, glomerulonephritis can be acute, referring to a sudden attack of inflammation, or chronic, which comes on gradually. |