Friday July 11, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- It is known that type 2 diabetes mellitus is linked to a decrease in both the production and bioavailability of nitric oxide.  A new study shows that L-arginine, which provides the precursor for the production of nitric oxide, can help restore the production of NO, meaning that L-arginine helps type 2 diabetes mellitus.

In the study, L-arginine supplementation was found to preserve nitric oxide production through endothelial nitric oxide synthase leading to renal microvasculation and increased glomerular blood flow and glomerular filtration rate in rats with diabetes mellitus.  The overall effect helped impede the formation of reactive oxygen species which would otherwise cause cell damage and death.  This means that L-arginine can help type 2 diabetes mellitus to prevent kidney diseases.

L-arginine could also significantly improve glucose tolerance in rats with diabetes mellitus.

The study concludes "LA (L-arginine) supplementation preserves NO activity and may delay the onset of insulin resistance and renal dysfunction during hyperglycemic stress. These results suggest the importance of the NO pathway in consequent renal dysfunction and in the development of insulin resistance in diabetic rats."

L-arginine is an amino acid found high in peanuts.  It has been known to be a precursor to nitric oxide, which is protective against heart disease.  Heart disease risk has been found higher in people with type 2 diabetes mellitus. (David Liu, PHD)

Taylor Claybaugh, Sarah Decker, Kelly McCall, Yuriy Slyvka, Jerrod Steimle, Aaron Wood, Megan Schaefer, Jean Thuma, and Sharon Inman, L-Arginine Supplementation in Type II Diabetic Rats Preserves Renal Function and Improves Insulin Sensitivity by Altering the Nitric Oxide Pathway, International Journal of Endocrinology, 2014.