I have to admit - I do not always know what every ingredient in my pre workout supplement does and there are often times some ingredients I have never heard of or even how to pronounce them! However, one ingredient is extremely common in most pre-wor...
I have to admit - I do not always know what every ingredient in my pre workout supplement does and there are often times some ingredients I have never heard of or even how to pronounce them! However, one ingredient is extremely common in most pre-workout supplements today, and this ingredient is Citrulline. I figured it would be a good idea to discuss this amino acid and its role in your pre workout (and other) supplements.
What is Citrulline?
Citrulline is a naturally occurring amino acid. It is found in some foods like watermelons and is also produced naturally by the body.
Citrulline in the form of citrulline malate is sold as a performance-enhancing athletic dietary supplement, which was shown to reduce muscle fatigue in a preliminary clinical trial.
L-citrulline is a naturally occurring amino acid found in food, such as watermelons. Your body also produces citrulline. When consumed, our bodies convert L-citrulline into L-arginine (another amino acid) and also to nitric oxide. L-citrulline is suggested to help increase the supply of components the body needs to making certain proteins. By increasing Nitric Oxide levels in our blood, it is also suggested that consuming L-Citrulline might also help open up veins and arteries to improve blood flow and give us that "pump" that most pre workout supplements are known for.
Is consuming L-citrulline safe?
When used according to the directions on the package, citrulline is "possibly" safe, according to the WebMd. As of November 2010, no information is available about its interaction with other medications. So long story short is if you follow the directions there are no studies showing it is harmful.
As always, please consult your doctor before consuming any dietary supplements.
