L-Arginine vs L-Citrulline for Bodybuilding -Which Amino Acid is Right for You?

L-citrulline or L-arginine, the usage of amino acid in bodybuilding has been quite common for ages.

Studies have shown that both amino acids play a significant role in the production of nitric oxide. Both natural components have a potential role in enhancing the body’s efforts to build muscle mass.

So, are they similar and offer the same benefits?

Well, to know the facts about both supplements it’s indeed important to consider all the aspects and their work factor on bodybuilding.

Both are associated with potential benefits ranging from overall well-being to improved exercise performance to cardiovascular health.

It may chance that their work function, bioavailability, and absorbability in the body will also be different.

In this exploration of L-Arginine vs L-Citrulline, we’ll take a closer view of the benefits and the other factors of both supplements. Dive in to know the facts about the naturally occurring amino acids in muscle building and other factors.

Key Highlights

• L-citrulline and L-arginine are amino acids that are potentially consumed by fitness fanatics to improve overall performance.
• They both are non-essential amino acids found in the body that help to widen and relax blood vessels.
• There are potential nuances of L-arginine and L-citrulline that can only be avoided when you know how to take them.
• To pump up your performance and better affect your muscle function, both L-citrulline and L-arginine are equally needed.

L-Arginine vs L-Citrulline – An Overview

As we got to know both L-arginine and L-citrulline are non-essential amino acids that potentially play a significant role in prevailing the best bodybuilding benefits.

Here is a short descriptive analysis of both the supplements like what are and how they support muscle growth in men.

• L-Arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that is a building block of proteins in the body. Several experts and professionals consider it as a semi-essential or conditionally essential amino acid.  One of the primary functions of L-arginine is its involvement in the production of nitric oxide (NO). The potent amino acid can be also called the precursor to nitric oxide (NO).

• L- Citrulline

A naturally occurring amino acid found in certain foods and it is also found in the human body. One of the notable roles of L-citrulline in the body is that it promotes the urea cycle. Studies have shown that L-citrulline helps in eliminating ammonia, a waste product of protein metabolism.

These amino acids continue to be explored for their potential benefits for muscle building, uses, and potential side effects as well.

Let’s check the key differences between L-Arginine and L-Citrulline to know which among the both is a better approach.

L- Arginine vs L- Citrulline – Key Differences

There are a few key differences among the supplements that help in knowing the basics about both and how they differentiate each other.

1: Uses

Both L-arginine and L-citrulline are popular supplements in the bodybuilding community. They got enough attention primarily due to their roles in promoting vasodilation and improving blood flow.

Here are some closer facts on why bodybuilders use  L-citrulline and L-arginine for bodybuilding.

L-Arginine in Bodybuilding

• Nitric Oxide Production

Studies have shown that L-arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide (NO). It is a molecule that dilates blood vessels and helps in increasing the pump of blood flow in the body. Several aspects confirm the increased availability of NO levels may lead to enhanced oxygen and nutrient delivery in the muscle.

• Muscle Pump

Facts also declare that there are vasodilatory effects of nitro oxide in the body which can improve workout intensity and increase muscle pump.  its characteristics for increasing blood flow in the muscle give them a better environment to grow and show a more vascular appearance

• Better Recovery

With employing better delivery of essential nutrients as well as oxygen in the muscle leads to better post-workout recovery.  This ensures reduced muscle soreness and fast healing.

L-Citrulline in Bodybuilding

• Conversion to L-Arginine

Basically in the Kidneys L-citrulline is converted into L-arginine. The amino acid increases the pool which ensures the availability of L-arginine in the body.  this transformation usually tends to be a better alternative than just supplementing with L-arginine.

• Sustained Nitric Oxide Production

The gradual conversion of L-citrulline into L-arginine may lead to sustained nitric oxide production, providing a more prolonged effect compared to L-arginine alone.

• Reduced Fatigue

By supporting the urea cycle, L-citrulline may help reduce the accumulation of ammonia in the muscles, potentially contributing to reduced exercise-induced fatigue.

2: Absorption and Bioavailability

L-arginine and L-citrulline, bioavailability plays a crucial role in determining their effectiveness as supplements.

• L-Arginine Bioavailability

Considering the bioavailability of the potent amino acid, L-arginine faces challenges in terms of absorption in the digestive system. It may cause serious complications in digestion and cause rapid breakdown by the liver and intestine. Studies have shown that oral supplements of arginine may be harmful under certain circumstances.

• L-Citrulline Bioavailability

While comparing L-citrulline with L-arginine, it has more bioavailability and can be easily digested. Just after ingesting it directly enters into the Kidneys and is converted into L-arginine. Furthermore, it is less prone to breakdown through liver and other intestine.  this eventually ensures a greater amount of availability of L-arginine in the body.

3: Performance-Enhancing Effects

L-arginine and L-citrulline are both amino acids and are potentially known for encouraging performance-enhancing effects. This is because of their influence on nitric oxide (NO) production and blood flow.

L- Arginine

• Increased Nutrient Delivery

Since the amino acid ensures the availability of increased blood flow oxygen and nutrient supply in the body. Studies have shown that a sufficient amount of nutrients supports overall energy production and muscle function.

• Exercise Performance

There is significant research that assures a regulated blood flow which is essential for mitochondrial respiration modulators in physical exercise. Additionally, the elevated availability of oxygen delivery to the muscles increases performance as well.

L- Citrulline

• Better Bioavailability

Clinical assurance shared a potent concept that L-citrulline has better bioavailability than L-arginine.

• Enhanced Exercise Performance

Some studies suggest that L-citrulline supplementation may improve exercise performance by increasing blood flow, delaying muscle fatigue, and supporting better endurance.

4: Supplementation & Stacking

Overall, after analyzing the basic differences between these two amino acids now let’s see whether you can stack it or supplement it with any other Amino acid or not.

L- Arginine

Talking about L-arginine,  it is better to take it with L-citrulline, it works actually as a better absorbent to the body.  there is less possibility of breakdown of the amino acid by river and other intestine in the body hence combining these two can be a better option for better muscle growth.

L-citrulline

Considering L-citrulline, BCAA the branch chain amino acid can be the best supplement to start with. Several studies and factors presume the potential benefits of supplements.  in addition to this, you can also other Natural sources of amino acids in the form of fruits and dietary sources.

These are some of the basic differences one should consider whether l-arginine or l-citrulline is better for your bodybuilding journey.

But before start consuming any supplement it’s indeed to know the possible side effects.

Side Effects of L-Arginine and L-Citrulline

Both L-arginine and L-citrulline are considerably safe and effective as one of the prominent components for bodybuilding.

Studies suggest that L-arginine might improve the quality of life in people with mild chest pain.

Talking about the nasty sides of L-arginine may occur due to oral consumption of the supplement. Being a slow-digestive addition it may cause Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, Bloating, and Allergic response.

Just like the downsides of L-Arg, Citrulline users can also experience stomach discomfort or heartburn during the initial days. Even though it is possibly safe when taken by mouth, one should always consider it in the recommended dosage.

Is It Good to Take L-Citrulline with L-arginine?

Consumption of amino acids like L-arginine and L-citrulline Is completely safe only if you are considering them in optimum dosage.

There are several misconceptions about the intake of one or more amino acids at a time.  Since amino acids are the building blocks of protein it has the potential to accelerate overall muscle growth in men.

Apart from this, some studies have also confirmed the safety measures of consumption of these amino acids.

A systematic review was taken to determine the efficacy of L-Arg and L-Citrulline for improved performance.

In that study, supplementation of 6g of L-Arg did not significantly increase physical performance markers. But with the supplementation of 2.4 to 6 g/day of L-Cit over 7 to 16 days, there is a significant improvement in NO level and physical performance markers are determined.

To ensure the optimum dosage and better bodybuilding benefits of both natural additives, it would be more beneficial to consider them as a supplement.

L-Arginine vs L-Citrulline – Supplementation

There are several supplements available in the market that claim to be the best muscle-building supplements and combine both amino acids as their ingredients.

Here are the top two products that have recently attracted the attention of fitness freaks and bodybuilders or improving tier performance.

• Deca Duro by CrazyBulk

CrazyBulk Deca-Duro is the ultimate support to gain strength and stamina. Yeah, we’re talking about the top-notch alternative of steroids that mimics all the Deca Durobolin benefits naturally.

Its ingredient pot combines an optimum dosage of both L-citrulline of 75 mg and 150 mg of L-Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate in each of its servings.

Basically, it is the advanced anabolic formula that is known for influencing nitrogen retention, protein synthesis, and red blood cell production to improve performance.

• Anvarol by CrazyBulk

CrazyBulk Anvarol is potentially known as a legit Anavar substitute that mimics the positive sides of the steroid.

The natural alternative effectively replicates the cutting as well as gaining lean muscle mass benefits in just a few days of consumption.

Trusted with FDA and other scientific evidence which supports the efficacy of this supplement. Additionally, it combines the optimum dosage of BCAA of 225 mg each serving. It improves your strength and energy by stimulating phosphocreatine synthesis.

The best part of incorporating the supplement into the diet is that it is free from all the nasty downsides of Anavar and possesses all the benefits.

So, these are two popular supplements one can consider to emphasize their workout and muscle-building journey.

Final Note

All in all, L-arginine vs L-citrulline is a detailed comparison analysis of two popular amino acids taken by bodybuilders for their muscle growth.

Considering the L-citrulline there is a compound of the amino acid i.e. Citrulline Malate is mostly used by professionals.

While comparing L-arginine vs citrulline malate, we’ve also found similar effectiveness to the amino acid itself.

The L-citrulline benefits for males are incredible and bodybuilders usually combine it to enhance their efficiency in the gym and push themselves beyond limits.

So, what stopping you from kickstarting your journey by picking the best among these two?