TMI, I know, but I am not busy this morning.
I have been taking metoprolol succinate XL 50 mg and telmisartan for over ten years. They do a good job of keeping my BP below 130, but for whatever reason, my morning blood pressure varies between 110 and 130. So, in light of the many BP discussions on the forum, I am trying to keep it in a narrow range between 110 and 120. Some are trying for even lower, but I don’t like how I feel when it’s below 110. Meta-analyses show reductions of systolic BP of ~4–7 mmHg and diastolic BP of ~2–4 mmHg
I have been taking L-citrulline along with creatine before going to the gym. Gym rats for decades were supplementing with L-arginine, but it turns out that L-citrulline produces more available L-arginine than an L-arginine supplement. "L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine in the kidneys, which is then used to create nitric oxide (NO). NO is a powerful vasodilator. “L-citrulline increases plasma L-arginine for 6–8 hours, whereas oral L-arginine’s effects often peak and fade within 1–2 hours.” “Exercise benefits: Strong evidence.” L-citrulline has fewer gastrointestinal side effects than L-arginine. Some gym rats take the malate form because the malate portion is a Krebs cycle intermediate that may enhance ATP production and delay fatigue. I have tried both, but subjectively I couldn’t tell the difference.
“L-citrulline supplementation increases plasma L-arginine levels, leading to improved endothelial function and vascular health, particularly in populations with compromised nitric oxide bioavailability, such as hypertensive postmenopausal women and obese pregnant women.”
I probably should post this in one of the supplement threads, but here are the benefits of L-citrulline:
Benefits of L-Citrulline Supplementation
Nitric Oxide Production & Vascular Health
Increases plasma L-arginine levels more effectively than direct L-arginine supplementation.
Improves aerobic performance by enhancing muscle oxygenation.
Delays fatigue by reducing ammonia and lactate accumulation during exercise.
Enhances NO-mediated vasodilation, which improves blood flow and reduces vascular resistance.
Dose-Dependent Effect: The blood pressure-lowering effects of L-citrulline are generally dose-dependent. Studies that have shown significant reductions in blood pressure typically used doses of at least 6 grams per day.
Common Dosages
General cardiovascular support: 3–6 g/day
Erectile function: ~1.5–3 g/day.
Exercise performance: 6–8 g
For blood pressure reduction, clinical studies often use 3–6 g/day in divided doses.
(Note: Everyone in the forum has access to AI searches. If you want additional papers and references, you can do your own search, as the list would be too long to post here.)
Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation on Endothelial Function and Blood Pressure in Hypertensive Postmenopausal Women
