What is L-Ornithine?
L-ornithine is an amino acid that is produced naturally in the body. It is also found in some foods, such as meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products. L-ornithine supplements are also available.
L-ornithine is used for improving athletic performance, increasing weight loss, and reducing fatigue. It is also used for treating ornithine transcarbamylase deficiency and urea cycle disorders.
Some people apply L-ornithine to the skin for wound healing and to prevent pressure sores.
How does it work?
L-ornithine is involved in the metabolism of ammonia in the body. Ammonia is a waste product that can be toxic in high levels. L-ornithine helps to remove ammonia from the body.
L-ornithine also seems to increase growth hormone levels and reduce body fat. These effects might improve athletic performance.
In addition, L-ornithine might help wounds heal and prevent pressure sores from developing. The exact mechanisms are not clear.
Why do people take L-ornithine?
Athletic performance. Early research suggests that taking L-ornithine by mouth might improve exercise performance and decrease fatigue during exercise in healthy adults. However, other research shows that taking ornithine does not improve running performance.
Weight loss. Some early research suggests that taking ornithine might help people lose weight. However, other research does not agree.
Urea cycle disorders. Early research suggests that taking L-ornithine by mouth can improve some symptoms of urea cycle disorders. These conditions are caused by a build-up of toxins in the blood due to problems with the process the body uses to remove ammonia.
Wound healing and pressure sores. Early research suggests that applying L-ornithine to the skin helps wounds heal faster and reduces the formation of pressure sores.
Other conditions.
More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of L-ornithine for these uses.
What are the possible side effects of L-ornithine?
L-ornithine is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth in appropriate amounts. It can cause some side effects including stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: ornithine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately during pregnancy. However, not enough is known about the safety of taking ornithine during pregnancy. Until more is known, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should avoid using ornithine.
Children: L-ornithine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately for up to 3 months.
People with kidney disease: L-ornithine is POSSIBLY SAFE when taken by mouth appropriately. Doses of up to 10 grams per day have been used safely for up to 6 months in people with kidney disease. Higher doses might cause side effects.
L-ornithine can cause some side effects including stomach upset, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Alternatives to L-ornithine
L-arginine
L-carnitine
Creatine
Protein powders
Pre-workout supplements
Weight loss supplements
Fat burners
Appetite suppressants
Is L-arginine better than L-ornithine?
There is no direct comparison between these two amino acids. However, they are both thought to be beneficial for improving athletic performance, increasing weight loss, and reducing fatigue.
What is the best dosage of L-ornithine?
The most common dosage range is 500-2000 mg per day. Higher doses have been used safely for up to 6 months in people with kidney disease.
Can I take L-ornithine with other supplements?
There is no known interaction between L-ornithine and other supplements. However, as with all supplements, it is always best to speak to a healthcare professional before taking any kind of supplement.
Pharmacokinetics
Ornithine is rapidly absorbed from the gut and distributed to various tissues. It is metabolized in the liver and excreted in the urine. The half-life of ornithine is about 2 hours.
What does this mean?
This means that L-ornithine is quickly absorbed into the bloodstream and transported to various tissues in the body. It is then metabolized by the liver and excreted in the urine. The average time it takes for L-ornithine to be completely cleared from the body is about 2 hours.
