What is L-Ornithine?
L-Ornithine is an amino acid that is mainly used in the urea cycle, which eliminates excess ammonia from the body. It is not an essential amino acid in humans, which means it can be synthesized in the body.
| Amino acid: Amino acids are linked together in chains in a precise order to form proteins. |
In the world of amino acids, ornithine is not directly involved in making proteins, and you don't need to consume it in your diet, but it is absolutely necessary to keep you alive. How does this happen?
Well, you don't need to eat it because you can make it yourself. It's important for life, as it helps detoxify excess ammonia.
AttentionHigh levels of ammonia in the blood can cause all kinds of health problems, such as aggressiveness, slurred speech, psychiatric disorders, encephalopathy and so on.
But where does this ammonia come from?
It's a waste product of cellular metabolismIt becomes toxic if left to accumulate. L-Ornithine acts as a catalyst in the process that transforms ammonia into urea. Urea can then be eliminated through urine.
The urea cycle
The urea cycle is a biochemical pathway responsible for the breakdown of ammonia, which is a by-product of protein metabolism.
The urea cycle is a series of chemical reactions that convert ammonia into urea, which is released from the body in the form of urine. This process is important, as it keeps ammonia levels low in the blood.
The liver and kidneys are the two main organs responsible for the urea cycle. The liver helps convert excess ammonia into urea, while the kidneys contribute to water balance and the elimination of waste products from the body.
Simplified urea cycle (source Wikipedia)
What are the benefits of Ornithine?
Ornithine is mainly used in food supplements to support sports performance. But also to:
Improve sleep
Eliminating excess ammonia from the brain helps combat insomnia and improve sleep quality.
Promoting healthy liver and waste management
Eliminates toxins produced by the body through the consumption of high-protein foods and alcohol. And it's thanks to its detoxification capacity that ornithine will support and help our liver.
Stimulating the secretion of growth hormones (GH)
Growth hormone helps to:
- Stimulate the immune system
- Increase physical performance
- Promote muscular strength
- Accelerate wound healing and recovery
What are the sources of L-Ornithine?
Synthesized by our bodies, it can also be found in our food.
Animal proteins are the best dietary source of L-Ornithine, like other amino acids. These include meat, eggs and dairy products. L-Ornithine is also found in nuts such as coconuts, peanuts and walnuts. Cereals such as oats and wheat also contain it, as do carob and soya.
L-Ornithine is often prepared for use in dietary supplements in the form of L-Ornithine HCl, which is the hydrochloric salt of L-Ornithine. In this form, it is more stable and better assimilated by the body.
This is the choice made by ABBGen laboratories in creating Heparyl. They have combined L-Ornithine HCl with magnesium malate to create the ideal supplement when you want to cleanse the body of heavy metals and harmful ammonia. It also reduces insomnia and improves sleep quality.
