| CLINICAL FOCUS ON USE OF CITRULLINE:
• L-Citrulline is the natural precursor of L-Arginine and the substrate for nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the production of NO. This has been shown to be effective in improving NO production and cardiovascular function in cardiovascular diseases which are associated with endothelial dysfunction, such as hypertension, heart failure, atherosclerosis, diabetic vascular disease and ischemia reperfusion injury.
• L-Citrulline is the chosen preference over L-Arginine as L-Arginine has been shown to be less beneficial with long term therapy due to the intestinal and hepatic metabolism of L-Arginine to Ornithine and urea by arginase making oral delivery ineffective.
• However, L-Citrulline is not metabolised in the intestine or liver, L-Citrulline enters the kidneys, vascular endothelium and other tissues and is readily converted to L-Arginine, thus raising plasma and tissue levels of L-Arginine and enhancing NO production.
EXAMPLE CASE STUDIES
CVD: L-Citrulline preference over L-Arginine therapy, WHY?
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61 year old male patient presenting with elevated blood pressure, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Prescribed:
1500mg taken in water three times daily for a 6 week period.
Follow up Visit:
Patient showed a reduction in blood pressure, shortness of breath had improved & chest pain had ceased. |
Enhancement of athletic sports performance
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28 year old male patient presenting with decreased muscular endurance, post exercise muscle soreness, fatigue and wanting to enhance training capabilities.
Prescribed:
3000 – 6000mg in water 1 hour before exercise.
Follow up Visit:
Patient reported significant improvement in exercise session, greater endurance, decreased fatigue and an increase in exercise duration, also reported being able to achieve a “really good muscle pump”. Post workout muscle soreness was also reported to have decreased. |
Erectile Dysfunction
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40 year old male patient presenting with erectile dysfunction associated symptoms. This is causing significant emotional distress and loss of self-confidence to patient..
Prescribed:
1000mg taken in water three times daily for a 2 week period.
Follow up Visit:
Patient reported reduction in symptoms & improvement in emotional wellbeing as a result. |
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