Data to be presented at the upcoming International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) Conference and Expo in Colorado Springs indicated that citrulline supplementats may also reduce sensitivity to cold by increasing blood flow to the skin, in rats at least.
Nitric Oxide (NO) is a key molecular and cellular messenger in the body that, among other biological processes, is used to increase blood flow in the body through dilation of blood vessels. Arginine, a precursor to NO, has long been the standard means of triggering increased production of NO in the body. The new research suggests citrulline may be a more effective way of elevating arginine levels and NO in the body.
“The importance of L-citrulline for ergogenic support is because L-citrulline is not subject to pre-systemic elimination and could be a more efficient way to elevate extracellular L-arginine levels,” said Dr Darryn Willoughby, an Associate Professor at Baylor University and presenter of the data.
“Preliminary research with oral L-citrulline has shown elevated plasma L-arginine concentration and augmented NO-dependent signaling.”
“Compared to L-arginine, L-citrulline may be an alternative approach at NO-induced increases in muscle blood flow that may provide an anabolic approach to exercise training,” added Dr Willoughby.
The research comes from Kyowa Hakko Bio.