L-Cysteine

Function- L-Citrulline exists primarily in the liver and plays a vital role in the urea cycle. The body is able to make L-citrulline from L-Ornithine. When it is combined with aspartic acid it forms arginosuccinic acid which is then converted to arginine. It has benefits in treating individuals with fatigue and with the detoxification of ammonia. Because it is a percussor to arginine and ornithine it involved with the production and all the benefits of growth hormone.

Deficiency- There is no known pathology associated with L-citrulline deficiency.

Sources- Citrulline is found in garlic and onions.

Precautions- There is no known precautions.

Requirements- There is no Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) listed. Individual needs may differ due to clinical conditions, biochemical individuality and absorption. All sources of nutrients should be consumed in their most natural state, in the form of a variety of foods or supplements when necessary. Free form amino acid supplements are immediately absorbed by the body and should be consumed with natural occurring cofactors for best results. Consulting with a physician that is properly trained in the natural healing sciences and amino acid therapy may be needed for optimum results.

Written by Jerome Rerucha D.C.

References-
1. Ratner, S. & Petrack, B. (1951) Biosynthesis of urea. III. Further studies on arginine synthesis from citrulline. J. Biol. Chem. 191, 693-705.
2. Wu, G. & Morris, S.M. (1998) Arginine metabolism: nitric oxide and beyond. Biochem. J. 336, 1-17.
3. Morris, S.M. (2002) Regulation of enzymes of the urea cycle and arginine metabolism. Annu. Rev. Nutr. 22, 87-105.
4. Kato, H., Oyamada, I., Mizutani-Funahashi, M. & Nakagawa, H. (1976) New radioisotopic assays of argininosuccinate synthetase and argininosuccinase. J. Biochem. Tokyo 79, 945-953.
5. Norris, K.A., Schrimpf, J.E., Flynn, J.L. & Morris, S.M. (1995) Enhancement of macrophage microbicidal activity: supplemental arginine and citrulline augment nitric oxide production in murine peritoneal macrophages and promote intracellular killing of Trypanosoma cruzi. Infect. Immun. 63, 2793-2796.