Arginine Unit Converter

Arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning your body can produce it but may not make enough during times of illness, injury, or rapid growth. It is one of the 20 standard amino acids used to build proteins.

Arginine serves as the precursor to nitric oxide (NO), a molecule that relaxes blood vessels and regulates blood flow. It also plays a central role in the urea cycle, the process by which the body removes ammonia and other nitrogen waste.

A plasma arginine test measures the concentration of free arginine circulating in your blood, typically as part of a quantitative amino acid profile.

The body synthesizes arginine primarily in the kidneys from citrulline, which is produced by the intestines. It is also obtained directly from dietary protein sources such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy, nuts, and seeds.