Nitric oxide is a second messenger that has a wide variety of roles in human nutrition. Many of the pathways in the brain use nitric oxide as a primary signal mechanism and in this role it functions as a neurotransmitter. One role for nitric oxide in the hypothalamus is the release of prostaglandin E2 via the stimulation of noradrenaline. Evidence suggests that in this role one of the targets of nitric oxide is the release of luteinizing hormone from the pituitary gland. As luteinizing hormone is responsible for the release of testosterone in men, optimal nitric oxide synthesis and release from the brain may be required for normal testosterone synthesis. Evidence suggests that both L-arginine and L-citrulline in supplemental form is able to cause a significant increase in nitric oxide levels. L-citrulline appears to do this by increasing levels of L-arginine, which is the direct precursor for nitric oxide. L-citrulline may be a better way to increase levels of nitric oxide because it is less extensively metabolised compared to L-arginine.
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