The Application of L-Arginine in Personalized Nutrition

L-Arginine exhibits significant application potential in personalized nutrition but also faces several challenges, as detailed below:

Application Potential

Precision Intervention Based on Genetic Background

The metabolic efficiency of L-arginine is closely linked to individual genetics. For example, polymorphisms in the ARG1 gene (encoding arginase) and NOS3 gene (encoding nitric oxide synthase) influence an individual’s utilization of arginine. Populations carrying specific genotypes of the NOS3 gene show more significant improvements in vascular endothelial function after L-arginine supplementation. In nutritional interventions for hypertension or coronary heart disease, such individuals may prioritize higher doses of arginine (6–10 g daily), while those with other genotypes may need dose adjustments or combination with other nutrients (e.g., folic acid) to avoid metabolite accumulation.

Personalized Schemes for Different Disease States

L-arginine supplementation strategies vary across disease states:

Patients with chronic kidney disease often experience arginine metabolic disorders; excessive supplementation may burden the kidneys. Doses must be dynamically adjusted based on glomerular filtration rate (GFR), typically not exceeding 3 g daily.

Athletes during high-intensity training can supplement with L-arginine (3–6 g daily) to promote nitric oxide production, improve muscle blood flow, and enhance exercise performance.

Synergistic Role in Personalized Medicine

In cancer treatment: Certain tumor cells (e.g., melanoma, colon cancer cells) are highly dependent on arginine but lack key enzymes for arginine synthesis. Exogenous L-arginine supplementation combined with arginine deiminase (ADI) therapy can selectively "starve" tumor cells. However, this scheme is only effective for specific subtypes, requiring genetic testing to screen eligible populations.

In cardiovascular diseases: For vascular lesions caused by insufficient endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity, L-arginine supplementation effectively increases NO levels. For eNOS-independent vascular damage, combination with other targeted drugs is necessary for synergistic effects.

Meeting Nutritional Needs of Specific Populations

L-arginine stimulates growth hormone secretion in patients with growth hormone deficiency, serving as a potential adjuvant therapy.

For women with a history of adverse pregnancy outcomes, arginine supplementation significantly reduces the risk of intrauterine growth restriction, preterm birth, and respiratory distress syndrome in newborns, while increasing birth weight and gestational age.

Challenges

Complexity of Individual Differences

Although genetics and other factors provide a basis for personalized nutrition, an individual’s response to L-arginine is also influenced by age, gender, lifestyle, gut microbiota, and other factors. The complexity of these factors makes it difficult to formulate accurate personalized schemes. For example, variations in gut microbiota’s capacity to metabolize arginine among individuals may affect the final efficacy.

Limitations of Clinical Research

Current studies on L-arginine in personalized nutrition suffer from small sample sizes, inconsistent intervention methods and doses, and high heterogeneity in results. These issues limit the reliability and generalizability of research conclusions, making them difficult to directly apply to clinical practice and personalized nutrition planning.

Constraints of Detection Technology and Cost

Precise personalized nutrition requires testing of an individual’s genetics, metabolomics, etc. However, some detection technologies are not yet widely available, and testing costs remain high, which to some extent restricts the widespread application of L-arginine in personalized nutrition.

Uncertainty in Safety and Long-Term Effects

While L-arginine is generally considered safe in many contexts, excessive supplementation may cause side effects such as hyperammonemia. Moreover, its long-term safety and potential long-term impacts remain incompletely understood, requiring more long-term studies for evaluation.