For a small fraction of the cost of conventional fertility treatments, you can use a natural method which has clinical research to show its effectiveness in helping both men and women improve fertility. It all centers on the remarkable properties of L-arginine. L-arginine is an essential amino acid found in foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, meat, and other proteins. When isolated and properly brought into the body, L-arginine has the ability to produce some remarkable results. In fact, L-arginine is considered one of the most important neutraceuticals ever developed and is referred to by scientists as the Miracle Molecule.

The scientific community validated the remarkable properties of L-arginine with the 1998 Nobel Prize in Medicine. Columbia University refers to L-arginine as the "MAGIC BULLET" for the cardiovascular system. Columbia's researchers have compiled over 10,000 citations and even include L-arginine in its course material at the Columbia University of Medicine Physicians and Surgeons. In general, research suggests the following benefits:

• Stimulates growth hormone for anti-aging benefits.
• Counters heart disease and aids in blood pressure regulation.
• Improves insulin sensitivity to help normalize blood sugar.
• Bolsters immune system, boosts energy and increases lean muscle.
• Precursor for the synthesis of Nitric Oxide (NO).
• Promotes reproductive health.
• Natural alternative for Viagra.
• Increases sperm count and motility by 250% in 2 weeks.
• Achieves and maintains erections.
• Increases fertility and orgasm in women.

This article will focus on the sexual and reproductive health benefits of proper L-arginine consumption. In a double blind, placebo controlled clinical study utilizing L-arginine, oral ingestion of L-arginine increased fertility in women attempting to conceive. This study included only women who had failed to conceive after trying for 6 to 36 months. After the end of the clinical study utilizing L-arginine, 33% of the women who had failed to conceive actually became pregnant.

Erectile dysfunction affects 50% of the male population over 40. As men age there is a decreased arterial blood flow to the sexual area. When properly taken, L-arginine can enhance testosterone availability to increase blood flow to the genital area in men and women, increase sperm count and motility, increase sexual desire and heighten sensitivity in both males and females. You can reinstate testosterone naturally without any negative side effects by increasing L-arginine serum levels.

It needs to be emphasized that L-arginine is not a hormone and it is not testosterone. L-arginine is an essential amino acid, but when properly connected to a rider and taken in a dose dependent and time specific protocol it will naturally cross the blood-brain barrier to signal the hypothalamus to naturally trigger the pituitary gland to produce growth hormone. This is the key to not experiencing any negative side effects.

Nitric oxide (NO) researchers believe that NO "can correct up to 90% of all penile dysfunction." NO allows for the vasodilation required for an erection to occur. Leading NO researcher, Dr. Arthur Burnett, a Johns Hopkins Urologist, stated that NO is the chemical messenger that produces erections and without NO, there could be no natural erections. In addition, NO increased the incidence of orgasm is women because NO allows clitoral and vaginal tissues to enlarge and become responsive. The left-handed molecule, L-arginine, is the primary source or precursor for the synthesis of NO in humans.

Now, before you go out and start buying L-arginine supplements you need to be aware of the dark side of this amino acid. L-arginine ingested in its pure form tastes terrible and will simply go into the stomach, move into the intestinal tract and then into the gut, negating most of its benefits. There is only one way for L-arginine to be safe and effective and that is in a powder form with a specific gycloside rider. By itself, not only does L-arginine taste terrible but it can also have some serious side effects like:

• Increasing free-radical brain damage.
• Activation of the herpes simplex virus.
• Reduce sperm motility.

That is why L-arginine is also called the "double-edged sword."
Because the L-arginine molecule is a blind amino acid it must be attached to a rider to direct it to the area in the body where it will have an impact. Through much research and development, it was determined that an L-arginine molecule attached to a kiwi glycoside (from the Kiwi plant) will create the formulation that allows L-arginine to cross the proper barriers as well as allow it to be taken orally without the taste buds rejecting it. The patent holder for this process is Dr. Ann de wees Allen, the world's leading authority on L-arginine.

In addition, the method or protocol for consumption is important.
A daily dose of 5 grams of elemental L-arginine taken in between meals will provide cardiovascular benefits, nitric oxide production, improved sperm motility and count but no anti-aging benefits. The anti-aging benefits of L-arginine will only occur when 10 grams of elemental L-arginine are consumed 30 minutes before sleep on a completely empty stomach (no food for at least 2 hours). Then, during Delta sleep, the Kiwi rider will effectively take the L-arginine molecule across the blood-brain barrier to signal the hypothalamus to trigger the pituitary gland to produce growth hormones naturally.

To be effective, L-arginine must utilize a low-glycemic method.
Research has shown that high-glycemic ingredients like maltodextrin, sucrose, table sugars, dextrose, glucose, polymers, honey, high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, and fruit juice actually block L-arginine from crossing the blood-brain barrier to prevent any anti-aging benefits. There are also agents or antagonists that directly compete with L-arginine to block its health benefits. These antagonists include lysine, ornithine, proteins, amino acids, high glycemic sugars, synthetic sweeteners, and ingredients and flavor systems made with high glycemic ingredients.

So what is the bottom line to all of this?
L-arginine can have a profound and positive effect on fertility and reproductive health but you need to use caution when choosing an L-arginine product. Ask questions like:
• Does it contain high glycemic ingredients to improve taste?
• Does it use direct antagonists that will block its health benefits?
• Do the methods of consumption follow the guidelines for making L-arginine available for the body?
• Who is the L-arginine researcher behind the product and what is their level of expertise in product design?
• Are there any documented studies to show the effectiveness of the product you are considering?

To learn more about the fascinating science behind L-arginine, the "Magic Bullet" please read the rest of our series of articles on this remarkable molecule.