Arginine itself is a precursor to both creatine and nitric oxide – two powerful compounds for maximum output. However, oral administration of arginine is dampened by intestinal activity. The more <\/span>arginine<\/span><\/a> you take, the more it just runs right through you. So you\u2019re wasting your money on something that doesn\u2019t work.<\/span><\/p>\n To highlight the evidence behind the best pre-workout without arginine, let\u2019s take a look at what pre-workouts are supposed to do first. <\/span><\/p>\n In this article, we\u2019ll cover:<\/span><\/p>\n What are pre workout supplements?<\/b> For example, simply eating an apple before a workout can provide you with more energy, but is it your best option? Supplement companies work to curate the best formulation of ingredients for optimal performance. Most people take pre-workout supplements in powder or pill form, as they contain isolated amino acids, electrolytes, <\/span>creatine<\/span><\/a>, L-carnosine, and more. <\/span><\/p>\n Benefits of pre-workouts supplements include:<\/span><\/p>\n That being said, many companies include L-arginine for the above results. Unfortunately, there\u2019s not a lot of research behind its efficacy. So why is it often featured? <\/span><\/p>\n What is L-Arginine?<\/b><\/p>\n L-arginine is an amino acid, one of the building blocks of proteins. While there are 21 amino acids, we only need to get nine of them from food. The other 12 can be manufactured within the human body from other material. L-arginine, in fact, is one that we can make already. Additionally, we get arginine from pork, turkey, soybeans, chicken, peanuts, and more. That\u2019s why it\u2019s not the best supplement to take.<\/span><\/p>\n When produced by the body, arginine activates the <\/span>mTOR signaling pathway<\/span><\/a>, which starts protein synthesis. In theory, adding extra arginine would translate to more muscle growth and less breakdown. In practice, however, the absorption rates are too low. <\/span><\/p>\n The oral bioavailability of arginine, according to one <\/span>study<\/span><\/a>, was only 51-87%. Not only that, but oral administration of arginine had no effect on blood pressure or vasodilation. As the other argument for arginine is \u201cto stimulate NO for increased blood flow\u201d, these results make that null and void. <\/span><\/p>\n Side Effects of L-Arginine <\/b><\/p>\n As a naturally produced compound, arginine has low toxicity. Some reports do show that taking more than 10 grams of arginine at a time can lead to GI distress. Other tests have shown lowered lysine levels in response to arginine supplementation. While this in itself isn\u2019t bad, anyone susceptible to cold sores might have an issue. <\/span><\/p>\n Lysine is known to fight cold sores (oral herpes). Yes, it\u2019s still caused by a virus. But if you\u2019re worried about lysine levels as a defense, maybe avoid <\/span>arginine supplementation<\/span><\/a>. <\/span><\/p>\n Possibly the worst side effect of l-arginine is disappointment. If you\u2019ve gone through the trouble to purchase a pre-workout, you\u2019re probably ready to see the results. Instead of arginine, choose a pre-workout that will actually deliver.<\/span><\/p>\n What to look for in a pre-workout instead of arginine <\/b><\/p>\n Citrulline! Citrulline is the precursor to l-arginine. Added levels of l-citrulline raise conversion of arginine in the kidneys. It\u2019s much better absorbed than its counterpart, and has been shown to be very effective at dose-dependently elevating plasma <\/span>l-arginine concentration<\/span><\/a>. As arginine itself isn\u2019t the problem (just taking it orally makes it go right through you), taking citrulline is a back door to getting much more potent results. <\/span><\/p>\n Maritime pine bark extract<\/span><\/a> – it might sound like a mouthful, but it\u2019s actually a natural supplier of proanthocyanidins. These little antioxidants not only modulate inflammation, but they also promote production of nitric oxide. If that\u2019s what you\u2019re looking for from a pre-workout (it should be), take this plant extract instead to relax your blood vessels and enhance oxygen delivery to muscle. <\/span><\/p>\n Another key pre-workout ingredient is creatine. <\/span>Creatine<\/span><\/a> is a compound used to produce ATP (energy) for short, powerful bursts. Although we can make creatine on our own, it runs out pretty quickly. Supplementation with creatine before a workout can help build those stores for immediate use. <\/span><\/p>\n As lifting weights teeters on the ability to exert force quickly, creatine plays a massive role. Even as we get in to anaerobic and aerobic metabolism, we still have to go through creatine first. That\u2019s why it\u2019s so important. <\/span><\/p>\n Where most pre-workouts fall short, unfortunately, is thinking about the post-workout. While yes, you can lift more weights, go harder, and endure training for longer with the above ingredients, actual muscle adaptation occurs after we\u2019re done. Elite pre-workouts consider <\/span>protection of your muscles<\/span><\/a> during and post-workout a critical factor of their formulation. <\/span><\/p>\n Best pre-workout supplement without arginine – Performance Lab Pre<\/b><\/p>\n After all of that is said and done, here\u2019s our pick for the best pre-workout without arginine. You\u2019ll notice it contains all of the performance enhancement benefits you crave without the miscellaneous, ineffective fluff. <\/span><\/p>\n Why Performance Lab Pre<\/b><\/p>\n Performance Lab Pre<\/span><\/a> comes to us in a <\/span>third-party tested, vegan, GMO free batch<\/b> that supports<\/span> high intensity training <\/b>and<\/span> muscle growth<\/b>. <\/span><\/p>\n This pre-workout tops others in its field for its simple ingredient list, lack of artificial stimulants (so you <\/span>won\u2019t feel jittery and uncomfortable<\/span><\/a>) and bioavailability. Not only that, many of Performance Lab\u2019s ingredients are naturally \u2018grown and harvested\u2019 via their patented NutriGenesis system – to mimic the same exact qualities of food. <\/span><\/p>\n The ingredients that make Performance Lab Pre so powerful:<\/span><\/p>\n In addition to the benefits of citrulline, creatine, and maritime pine bark extract, Performance Lab Pre includes <\/span>carnosine<\/span><\/a> and glutamine to protect skeletal muscle. They supply antioxidants to neutralize exercise-induced damage and buffer out lactic acid. As pH buffers, they neutralize the acids that lead to muscle fatigue and failure. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/wp.usatodaysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/95\/2019\/05\/pexels-photo-1547248.jpeg\")
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\n<\/b>A pre-workout supplement is something you take about half an hour before a training session. It could be anything from a sports drink to eating some candy, as long as it\u2019s geared toward improving performance in the subsequent workout. <\/span><\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/wp.usatodaysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/95\/2019\/05\/bodybuilder-weight-training-stress-38630.jpeg\")
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