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Ornithine is a nonprotein amino acid. It is used in the body in
the biosynthesis of L-arginine, L-proline, and polyamines. Ornithine
is used as a nutritional supplement principally for its putative
anabolic activity. A derivative of ornithine called ornithine
alpha-ketoglutarate or OKG may under certain conditions have
immunomodulatory and anticatabolic and/or anabolic
actions.
It has been suggested by some in the medical
research industry that ornithine, along with arginine, may help to
enhance muscle-building ability in the body by increasing levels of
anabolic hormones such as insulin and growth hormone, but to date
these claims have not been supported by human studies. In clinical
studies on people hospitalized for surgery, generalized infections,
cancer, trauma, or burns, supplementation with ornithine
alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) has been reported to produce several
beneficial effects including increased ability to heal, improvement
in appetite, weight gain, and quality of life compared with those
who did not supplement with OKG.
Preliminary trials using
ornithine aspartate, another derivative of ornithine, has shown to
help people with brain abnormalities (hepatic encephalopathy) due to
liver cirrhosis. Those taking the ornithine had significant
improvements in liver function and blood tests compared with those
who did not take ornithine.
Other studies also indicate that
ornithine can help those who have suffered from severe burns. In a
clinical trial, burn patients who took 10-30 grams of ornithine
alpha-ketoglutarate per day experienced an improved healing and
shorter hospital stays.
Dosage
Recommendations
For those who supplement with
ornithine, 5-10 grams is a typical daily dosage (sometime combined
with arginine). However, most healthy people do not need to take
ornithine supplements.
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