nutrient
Arginine
An amino acid used in protein and nitrogen disposal.
Educational draft · Human scientific and editorial review pending. About review status
Arginine supplies nitrogen for urea formation and is also a substrate for nitric-oxide synthesis. Demand can change with growth and physiological stress.
How it works
A substrate for two pathways
The urea cycle converts nitrogen associated with arginine into urea for excretion. A different enzyme, nitric-oxide synthase, uses arginine to make nitric oxide.
Related topics
Arginine is used to build Protein
Arginine is one of the amino acids used to assemble proteins.
Evidence: Established · Source checked 2026-09-05 · Sources: NIH National Library of Medicine: Biochemistry, Essential Amino Acids
Worth knowing
It can become conditionally essential. The body usually makes arginine, but production may not cover demand during growth or major physiological stress.
A closer look
Enzymes determine its route
Arginine can enter nitrogen disposal or nitric-oxide synthesis depending on which enzymes and tissues handle it.
References
Source-checked local draft.
Human editorial review pending.
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Essential Amino AcidsChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH National Library of Medicine (opens in new tab)Biochemistry, Protein CatabolismChecked 2026-09-05
- NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (opens in new tab)Dietary Supplements for Exercise and Athletic Performance - Health Professional Fact SheetChecked 2026-09-05
Take it into the kitchen
Explore this nutrient in simple meals. Recipe pages show estimated amounts and missing data.
Pineapple cashew chicken pan · 25 min →
Green bean peanut tofu · 25 min →
Curry tofu pea rice · 20 min →
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