sentricyphen

does an excess of amino acids have the same effect on the kidneys as excessive ammounts of protein? seems to me like it would, after all it's just broken down protein.

im considering taking a large quantity of arginine for its vasodialation effects, ive heard it is cheaper than using NO.

NoRemorse

Here's a little tidbit to think about.
Amino acids taken as supplements are not necessarily the answer to either getting the essential amino acids or to obtaining the appropriate amount of protein. Amino acids consumed as supplements may respond differently in the body than food sources of protein. Specifically, the supplemental amino acids may not be absorbed as efficiently as the amino acids from food sources. Thus, most of the amino acids taken as supplements are excreted. Even if the amino acids are absorbed, excess amino acid intake is not converted to muscle mass, but rather to fat or glucose.

Excessive protein intake can be detrimental to the normal physiological functioning of the body for several reasons. First, as just stated, excess protein intake generally increases body fat because: 1) high-protein foods often contain a large quantity of fat, and 2) excess protein can not be stored as such; therefore, it must be converted to either glucose or most likely to fat. Excessive protein intake can also lead to dehydration due to the excess amount of nitrogen and urine that are excreted. To obtain the appropriate nitrogen balance, the kidneys and liver have to work very hard and therefore may be damaged. With excessive protein intake, calcium loss in the urine may also be increased.

WËÑT hë fõr†h †õ fîñd ↠fåll õf ñîgh†
†hä† hâügh†¥ hõû§ë‚ åñd hëëd whërêvér
†hé ®ìñg—Ðåñ꧂ ôµ†rêvêllëd‚ †ð r맆 häd gôñë…
ƒõµñd wì†hïñ ï† †hë â†hêlîñg bâñd
â§lêëp äf†ér fê姆îñg åñd fêårlꧧ õf §ðrrðw‚ðf hümäñ härd§hîp… Ûñhållðwëd wîgh†‚grìm åñd
grééd¥‚ hë grâ§péd bë†îm꧂wrâ†hfµl‚rëçklꧧ,frôm
r맆îñg—pläçë§,†hïr†¥ õf †hë †häñ꧂ åñd †héñçé
hé rµ§hëd fåìñ ôf hî§ fëll §pðîl‚ färìñg hômêwård,
lådëñ wî†h §lâûgh†ër‚ hì§ lâìr †ô §ëék

NoRemorse

Hey sentricyphen here is something else I found that might be of some help.
When it comes to isolated amino acids, it has long been known that very high dosages (typically, 10-15 grams) of L-Arginine taken on an empty stomach can boost short term Nitric Oxide and Growth Hormone (GH) levels. Unfortunately, L-Arginine is not very suitable for use as a long term NO elevation agent due to its inherent limitations. Even for GH release, the frequent high dosages required, unpleasant taste, stomach upset, etc. make following an effective regimen impractical, if not flat out impossible for most.

WËÑT hë fõr†h †õ fîñd ↠fåll õf ñîgh†
†hä† hâügh†¥ hõû§ë‚ åñd hëëd whërêvér
†hé ®ìñg—Ðåñ꧂ ôµ†rêvêllëd‚ †ð r맆 häd gôñë…
ƒõµñd wì†hïñ ï† †hë â†hêlîñg bâñd
â§lêëp äf†ér fê姆îñg åñd fêårlꧧ õf §ðrrðw‚ðf hümäñ härd§hîp… Ûñhållðwëd wîgh†‚grìm åñd
grééd¥‚ hë grâ§péd bë†îm꧂wrâ†hfµl‚rëçklꧧ,frôm
r맆îñg—pläçë§,†hïr†¥ õf †hë †häñ꧂ åñd †héñçé
hé rµ§hëd fåìñ ôf hî§ fëll §pðîl‚ färìñg hômêwård,
lådëñ wî†h §lâûgh†ër‚ hì§ lâìr †ô §ëék