Amino acids are building blocks of protein, used by your
body to construct many different types of these essential compounds. But some
amino acids, including one called L-ornithine -- or, more commonly, ornithine
-- may have other important roles. L-ornithine is crucial for removal of bodily
wastes, and some research also suggests this amino acid may help boost your
energy level and provide your body with other significant benefits. A number of
our products at Shop Soma Life
contain healthy amounts of L-ornithine
Understanding the
Urea Cycle
When your cells break down nitrogen-containing compounds
such as proteins, they produce ammonia as a byproduct. This can be toxic if not
removed. In the urea cycle, liver cells convert ammonia into urea, a waste
product eliminated by your kidneys -- ornithine is central to this process and
gives the cycle its alternate name, the ornithine cycle. When a problem
develops and ornithine can't participate effectively in the urea cycle,
potentially serious conditions can result, including one called ornithine
transcarbamylase deficiency. This rare inherited disorder occurs in 1 in 80,000
people. It interferes with the urea cycle, allowing ammonia to accumulate in
the blood, and this can cause lack of energy, seizures or other symptoms.
Anti-Fatigue Benefits
Your kidneys convert ornithine into arginine, another amino
acid that benefits your body in several ways. Arginine is a precursor for a
compound called nitric oxide, which helps dilate your blood vessels when you
require extra blood to your tissues. Arginine also helps your muscle cells
produce creatine, a compound they need to contract. Research suggests that
consuming extra ornithine can help promote physical strength and endurance. For
example, a study published in the November 2008 issue of "Nutrition Research" found that healthy subjects who took
extra ornithine experienced less exercise-induced fatigue than a placebo group.
The authors concluded that ornithine promotes more efficient energy usage by
cells, and they recommend it as a nutritional supplement to prevent fatigue.