Do You Need Nitric Oxide Supplements?

Every bodybuilder has taken nitric oxide supplements at some point in their lifting career. People always thought that arginine, which has always been the number one compound in these supplements, is the reason nitric oxide was produced.

A few years ago new theories arrived on the scene. Was arginine really the reason for the nitric oxide output? Does taking nitric oxide supplements really help with increases in muscle mass.

Studies were done that brought up the possibility that INSULIN was responsible for a majority of the increased blood flow response. The drawback to the studies was the amount of arginine that was used. Over 40 grams of arginine was used to cause this response. That amount of arginine would be impossible to handle.

Back in 2005 T-Nation posted an article about this new theory. They revised a new one. This was their new theory:

Arginine -> Insulin -> Nitric Oxide -> Vasodilation -> Nutrient Delivery -> Muscle Growth and Strength

The article goes on to point out that AKG also can help promote the release of insulin. The question is, did these companies know about this? Do these supplement companies know about it now?

These studies had also shown that arginine would have to be taken at much higher doses to create an increase in blood flow. The administration of arginine to test subjects were given these high doses in an IV.

Is arginine overrated? I would tend to think that it is, if you consider the research. These studies were done about 5 years ago, but companies are still manufacturing these products. Bodybuilders are still taking nitric oxide products swearing that they are getting results by taking them. Are they really? Or is it the placebo effect?