Ornithine is a non-essential amino acid produced by the breakdown of arginine during the citric acid cycle. It is used to create proline and citrulline, which supply cells with energy. Ornithine supplements are marketed to bodybuilders, and it is used medically to treat patients after surgery or trauma. It is found in meat, fish, and dairy products, and the human body can generate it without an external source.
Ornithine is an amino acid produced by the breakdown of arginine, another amino acid. This breakdown occurs during the citric acid cycle, which is part of the process of expelling human waste. During this cycle, L-aginine interacts with the enzyme arginase to create both ornithine and urea. Ornithine is not an essential amino acid and is not involved in protein synthesis. Since it is not essential, the human body can generate it without an external source.
Humans rarely have a deficiency of this acid. Meat, fish, and dairy products are excellent sources of the compound, and very little is needed by the human body to function. Only five to ten grams of this amino acid are required per day for proper bodily function, and a typical daily Western diet typically includes about five grams of this substance. Supplements are rarely needed for dietary reasons, and ingestion of more than ten grams per day can cause intestinal upset.
In the body, ornithine is needed to create proline and citrulline, which are essential for supplying cells with energy. This acid is also speculatively linked to an increase in growth hormone and insulin levels, both of which help build muscle. For this reason, ornithine supplements are often marketed to bodybuilders. Common wisdom holds that ornithine is twice as effective as arginine in boosting growth hormone levels, and supplements containing both compounds are considered redundant. It is important to note that no human trials have been conducted to verify the link between muscle growth and this amino acid.
The acid is also used medically to treat patients after surgery, or those who have suffered trauma. A compound known as ornithine alpha-ketoglutaramate (OKG), has been tested in several studies, and patients who used it reported faster healing, along with increased appetite, compared to those who did not. Additionally, this compound has been shown to aid in recovery from burns. Taking 10-30 milligrams (mg) of OKG after a severe burn resulted in shorter hospital stays and greater healing for patients.
Another compound, ornithine aspartate, has been used to treat patients with cirrhosis of the liver who have also developed brain abnormalities. A double-blind study was conducted, in which some patients received 18 grams of ornithine aspartate per day, while others received a placebo. Those who took the drug showed a significant improvement in liver function after two weeks compared to those who did not receive the supplement.
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