PAIN CONTROL

Several studies from around the world have shown that L-arginine is an effective tool for controlling pain. The Japanese recently discovered that L-arginine increases brain levels of kyotorphin and enkephalins, two of the body's most powerful painkillers. When L-arginine was administered intravenously, patients began to notice a reduction of pain within 10-15 minutes. After 30-40 minutes, pain was reduced dramatically, and in some patients the effects lasted as long as 24 hours. The only side effects noted were dryness of the mouth and a drop in blood pressure. (Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 91;1(4):529-33)