Thorne L-Arginine - Sustained Release Review

Thorne L-Arginine - Sustained Release is a sustained-release L-arginine capsule product presented as a single active ingredient formula. The product page describes L-arginine as a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning that the body can make it but may need it through diet or supplementation under certain circumstances or for certain physical conditions. L-arginine is described as a building block of protein that helps promote muscle and tissue repair, supports a healthy immune system, and benefits cellular metabolism. A central point on the page is that L-arginine is necessary for the production of nitric oxide, which the page describes as essential to the regulation of blood flow in the body. By supporting nitric oxide levels, the page states that L-arginine can support cardiovascular health, benefit healthy blood pressure, and optimize blood flow to the extremities. Thorne combines L-arginine with its Time-Sorb complex to help maintain optimal levels of L-arginine over 24 hours with suggested use. The listed benefits include helping maintain normal blood pressure and vascular elasticity, supporting a healthy heart and vascular system, helping promote cellular repair and collagen formation, supporting blood flow to the extremities to increase work capacity during exercise, and benefiting the occurrence and maintenance of erections during intimacy. The page lists features including a single active ingredient formula for ease of personalized health plans and a sustained release formula intended to maintain optimal levels over time when used as suggested. It identifies potential users as individuals who want to maintain healthy blood pressure and support cardiovascular health, athletes seeking enhanced blood flow to increase work capacity during exercise, individuals desiring increased blood flow to the extremities, and individuals who want to support sexual wellness. The Why Thorne section says the formula is built with scientific rigor, that each ingredient is selected, clinically studied, and tested through multiple rounds of quality control, and that the brand is trusted by health-care practitioners. The page also states that the product has been third-party tested and certified to verify that what is in the package matches the label and contains no unsafe levels of contaminants such as heavy metals, pesticides, and microorganisms. The warnings section states that the product is contraindicated in individuals with a history of hypersensitivity to any of its ingredients, that pregnant individuals should consult a health-care practitioner before use, and that individuals with a known herpes infection should take lysine alongside L-arginine because L-arginine alone has been noted to cause herpes eruptions in susceptible individuals. The page also notes that L-arginine supplementation is contraindicated in a patient with hepatocellular carcinoma. The product is listed at 120 capsules for 44 dollars, with a subscription option at 39.60 dollars, and it is noted as eligible for HSA or FSA payment.

Product Focus: CirculationAlso covers:HeartRanked among:Nitric oxide supplements
Tier ⓘ
Tier 4
Tier 4 · Emerging. A promising mechanism or animal data, with thin human evidence so far. Tiers run from 1, the strongest evidence, to 5. How we grade →
Evidence ⓘ
62 /100
How strongly the evidence says this product works: human studies count most, then real reviews, then our biohacker panel.
Positive Reviews
92% of 1,205
Biohacker Mentions
10 of 10
Cost per month
$66 at 3 servings

Study, Trial or Testing Result Summary

Members Only32 human studies · 14 improved

12 of these 32 human studies gave l-arginine by drip or injection, not by mouth.

32 human studies14 improved12 no effect620 people studied

Studies of L-arginine for blood flow disagree. The largest and longest trial gave 133 people with leg artery disease 3 grams a day for 6 months. Blood vessel widening did not improve, and walking distance improved less than with placebo [1]. Some smaller studies were positive. A single 6 gram dose improved arm artery widening in 35 people with high blood pressure [2]. 8 grams twice a day for two weeks improved artery widening in 12 healthy adults over 70 [3]. A 30 gram infusion into a vein, not a capsule, raised brain artery blood flow speed in 55 people [4]. Other trials found no benefit. A single 3 gram dose did not improve artery widening in 30 healthy young adults [5]. In 19 older adults with diabetes or high blood pressure, 4 days of use worsened small blood vessel function in the fingers [6]. This product gives 1 gram per serving. The positive studies used 6 grams or more, well above what members take, and the one trial at a dose close to this product's found no benefit [1]. Animal and cell studies are never counted.

See all 32 studies →Hide the studies

Review Totals and Summary

Members Only1,205 reviews · 92% positive
1,205 reviews · Amazon 719 · Google Shopping aggregate 424 · Thorne 62
92% positive3% neutral5% negative

Across the stores, Thorne L-Arginine Sustained Release carries about 781 ratings. The written feedback available is brief and uniformly positive, centred on feeling a benefit, dependable quality and quick delivery. **What buyers say it did for them:** The most direct statement of effect is from a buyer who says they "Definitely feel better and a difference." Another takes it before workouts, on a nutritionist's recommendation, as part of a routine "to support circulation, exercise performance, and overall cardiovascular health." The written comments are short, so they do not say how long people took it, what dose they used, or whether they combined it with other products. **What they complain about:** The written reviews contain no complaints. Nobody mentions side effects, aftertaste, capsule size, price or lack of effect. The store summaries note one single one-star rating in a rating histogram that no visible text explains, so the reason for it is unknown. The small amount of written feedback means this absence of complaints is a limited reassurance. **Taste, smell, pill size or form:** None of the reviews comment on taste, smell or capsule size. The summaries say the feedback does not go into capsule size or taste, so you will not find guidance on swallowing the capsules here. **Value for money:** Price is not discussed in any review. The summaries confirm there are no written comments on cost, either positive or negative. **Quality, consistency and service:** This is the second main theme after perceived benefit. One buyer writes "Your products duplicate the same" quality each time, which the summaries read as valuing batch-to-batch reliability and trust in the brand's reputation. Others offer simple endorsements such as "Very good product" and "Good product, good time delivery." Delivery arriving on time is the only comment about the ordering experience. **Who it seems to suit and who it did not:** The reviews point to people who want a supplement for exercise performance, circulation and cardiovascular wellness, especially those taking it before workouts or following a nutritionist's suggestion. The summaries note the reviewers' goals centred on these uses rather than collagen or sexual wellness. No reviewer describes the product as unsuitable for them, so there is nothing in the written feedback about who should avoid it. **Scope and caveats:** This summary covers the capsules only, and the reviews supplied did not include other forms. The written reviews are few, short and mostly low in helpfulness votes, and they represent only a small share of the total ratings. They are best read as a positive but thin picture: people who wrote in were happy with the effect, the quality and the delivery, but they gave little detail about dose, taste, size or price.

Biohacker Summary

Members Only10 of 10 recommend it
10 of 10 biohackers on our panel recommend it

Arginine is the main ingredient here, and the panel leans toward recommending it, though not all of them agree. Most of the ten talk about it as a way to raise nitric oxide and improve blood flow, mainly before workouts or endurance sessions, and some also bring it up for sexual performance, growth hormone, calmness, or heart health. On forms and doses, one panelist suggests around 5 grams of L-arginine, others mention arginine nitrate or arginine ketoglutarate, and one pairs it with foods rich in a calming brain chemical, while another suggests taking it with proline and ornithine when breaking a long fast. Several give cautions: it may trigger cold sore outbreaks, it can work against exercise if taken too close to a workout when you want growth hormone, and it has fallen out of favor for performance because of absorption concerns, with citrulline now preferred. Two panelists stopped taking it, one because he saw no real difference in blood flow and one who switched to agmatine sulfate after a gene finding and noticed a better workout pump.

See all 9 biohackers →Hide the biohackers
  • Ben Greenfield · Arginine · neutral
    • 10 Oct 2026 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions an arginine link to thymus metabolism, noting that immune cells require a lot of arginine.
    • 17 Jan 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends chia and flax seeds as they are rich in arginine, which can help supply nutrients that patients may be lacking.
    • 3 Apr 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends L-arginine, around 5 grams, as an aid for sexual performance and to combat erectile dysfunction.
    • 6 Dec 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions arginine as a supplement that can increase blood flow for pre-workout.
    • 28 Dec 2023 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Ben likes it when he takes a pre-workout like arginine and gets a wonderful rush in energy and blood flow.
    • 21 Dec 2023 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Ben says his secret weapon for withstanding the cold is a higher dose niacin or niacinamide, combined with a blood flow precursor like arginine or citrulline, and T2 thyroid hormone.
    • 2 Nov 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends L-arginine as an amino acid that synthesizes nitric oxide.
    • 24 Aug 2023 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that taking arginine prior to red light therapy can aggravate the formation of excess reactive oxygen species.
    • 29 Jul 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends arginine to enhance the effects of Hyperbaric and PEMF by increasing blood flow.
    • 24 Jun 2023 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Has used Joymode, a sexual performance booster with Arginine, Citrulline, and Vitamin C, and finds that it works pretty well, though it is a central nervous system stimulant.
  • Siim Land · Arginine · neutral
    • 23 Sep 2026 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Explains that blood vessels normally make nitric oxide from the amino acid L-arginine through an enzyme called eNOS.
    • 28 Mar 2025 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that arginine is good for increasing nitric oxide and is found in many pre-workout supplements, but there are conflicting thoughts on its effectiveness.
    • 21 Mar 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Tells older people to take Arginine Ketoglutarate because the arginine is helpful as a low-key vasodilator.
    • 12 Mar 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends Arginine before workouts to promote blood flow, which leads to better workouts and physical performance.
    • 15 Feb 2025 · stopped · YouTube ↗
      Used to take Arginine but switched to Agmatine sulfate after discovering a mutation in his NOS3 gene, which synthesizes nitric oxide, and noticed massive differences in his 'pump' during workouts.
    • 5 Oct 2024 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that Arginine can have negative adverse reactions with meds like a med, advising caution and checking product packaging for interactions.
    • 5 Oct 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Suggests swapping out calcium Alpha-ketoglutarate for Arginine Alpha-ketoglutarate, especially if not on a low calcium diet, as it does not contain calcium.
    • 15 Mar 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Suggests taking a little extra arginine when fighting an infection, as it is used a lot by the body during an infection and can help convert to citrulline.
    • 6 Mar 2024 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Increased his intake of arginine because his levels were low, and they went up.
    • 12 Mar 2022 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Is putting arginine in their meteorite scrub.
  • Dr. Eric Berg · Arginine · recommends
    • 13 Aug 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends consuming arginine, along with proline and ornithine, in the meal that breaks a prolonged fast to get the benefits of stimulating stem cells.
    • 2 Oct 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends arginine as a potent way to increase growth hormone, but warns against taking it too close to a workout as it will lower growth hormone.
    • 19 Mar 2025 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      Explains that herpes and shingles viruses need the amino acid arginine to survive.
    • 5 Mar 2025 · recommends · Podcast ↗
      Recommends L-arginine to increase nitric oxide to help prevent heart attack.
    • 26 Feb 2025 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      Mentions that Arginine can trigger nitric oxide.
    • 6 May 2024 · recommends · Podcast ↗
      Recommends taking 3 to 6 grams of Arginine daily on an empty stomach 30 minutes before a workout, as it increases growth hormone by inhibiting somatostatin.
    • 22 Oct 2023 · recommends · Podcast ↗
      Recommends L-arginine as one of the best natural remedies for hypertension because it supports the production of nitric oxide.
    • 22 Feb 2023 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions L-Arginine as a natural form that increases nitric oxide, which can help with erectile dysfunction.
    • 29 Jan 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends L-Arginine as a solution with minimal side effects to help make more nitric oxide and manage high blood pressure, suggesting taking half a scoop or a whole scoop each day in powder form.
    • 7 Oct 2022 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions that some people use L-arginine, an amino acid, and notes that some studies show it works for erectile dysfunction.
  • Dave Asprey · Arginine · recommends
    • 9 Apr 2026 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Dave Asprey recommends Joy Mode, an electrolyte packet for sexual performance, to be taken one packet about 45 minutes before sex, as it contains clinical doses of L-citrulline, arginine nitrate, ginseng, and vitamin C to increase nitric oxide levels.
    • 17 Jul 2025 · stopped · YouTube ↗
      Has tried arginine over the years but did not notice a significant difference in blood flow.
    • 15 Jul 2025 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends L-arginine, or anything that leads to vasodilation, to boost the power of EWOT when taken beforehand.
    • 21 Feb 2025 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Has added Arginine to his Wonderfeel product as a powerful antioxidant to reduce DNA damage, which in turn reduces the need for PARP to consume NAD, and considers it a foundational longevity molecule.
    • 2 Jan 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that companies are now creating pre- and post-op surgical supplementation with arginine, similar to what he had figured out years ago.
    • 14 Apr 2023 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Dave Asprey says that the case for arginine isn't very strong and that taking high-dose Arginine can actually divert metabolism away from nitric oxide production and make things worse if you have endothelial dysfunction.
    • 29 Apr 2021 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Discusses a new study showing arginine supplementation causing more harm than good, and suggests evaluating supplements based on multiple pillars of evidence, such as lifespan extension in animals and epidemiological data in humans.
    • 13 Dec 2019 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Personally takes L-arginine, an amino acid, to increase vasodilation and nitric oxide levels, noting that it is a useful, well-studied supplement.
    • Date not recorded · recommends · Website ↗
      Recommends taking supplements like L-arginine to help synthesize nitric oxide.
    • Date not recorded · warns · Website ↗
      Warns that taking excess L-arginine or L-citrulline would likely have a limited impact on N.O. production and that high-dose L-arginine may pose potential health risks.
  • Dr. Rhonda Patrick · Arginine · recommends
    • 29 Apr 2025 · recommends · Facebook ↗
      Recommends arginine as a blood flow enhancer that boosts nitric oxide, opens up blood vessels, and can improve how one feels during endurance or high-rep sessions, also sharpening mental clarity.
    • 28 Apr 2025 · stopped · YouTube ↗
      Notes that arginine has fallen out of favor as a performance enhancer due to bioavailability issues and concerns about cold sores, with citrulline now being the preferred approach.
    • 22 Apr 2025 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      Discusses whether nitric oxide boosters like beetroot, citrulline, and arginine work.
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      The naturally occurring amino acid arginine makes cavity-prone dental plaque less acidic after sugar intake, potentially making plaque less damaging during periods of sugar exposure.
  • Andrew Huberman · Arginine · neutral
    • 6 Mar 2025 · neutral · Podcast ↗
      Mentions Arginine in the context of growth hormone supplements.
    • 14 Aug 2023 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Huberman mentions arginine as a nonprescription substance that increases blood flow.
    • 9 Jan 2023 · recommends · Podcast ↗
      Recommends Arginine for growth hormone.
    • 31 May 2021 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Notes that arginine can improve performance for long bouts of exercise due to vasodilation, but warns that it can increase the likelihood of herpes cold sore outbreaks.
    • 26 Apr 2021 · warns · Podcast ↗
      Discusses supplements that increase growth hormone, such as Arginine and Ornithine, but warns that Arginine and exercise together can be counter-productive.
    • 1 Feb 2021 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Mentions that a few studies suggest arginine, an amino acid, might increase slow wave sleep, but advises caution as it can have other effects, including on the heart.
    • Date not recorded · warns · Website ↗
      Notes a caution about Arginine and Citrulline in relation to cold sores.
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      Huberman mentions that some studies suggest arginine could increase slow-wave sleep, but advises checking for its effects on the heart and other systems.
    • Date not recorded · warns · Website ↗
      Discusses that arginine can substantially increase growth hormone levels, with doses ranging from 3 to 10 grams, but notes that more than 9 grams can blunt the effect and cause GI disturbance.
    • Date not recorded · neutral · Website ↗
      Huberman mentions that some people like beet juice and related compounds that increase arginine and vasodilation.
  • Thomas DeLauer · Arginine · recommends
    • 27 Dec 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends Arginine Nitrate and other arginines to improve tissue quality and enhance power output during workouts.
    • 16 Dec 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends Arginine Nitrate for enhancing tissue quality and muscle performance.
    • 1 Dec 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends taking L-Arginine, possibly with GABA-influencing foods, as it can increase blood flow to the brain and significantly boost GABA levels in the brain, which helps with calmness.
    • 11 Nov 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends adding L-Arginine, a dirt cheap supplement, along with Gaba-rich foods, to increase Gaba's availability to cross the blood-brain barrier, especially the day after drinking.
    • 8 Aug 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that Sacha Inchi protein is high in Arginine, which is being investigated for its influence on obesity, mitochondrial biogenesis, brown adipose tissue, and fatty acid oxidation genes.
    • 28 Jan 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends arginine to combat erectile dysfunction and improve sexual desire, citing a meta-analysis that found 1.5 to 5 grams was effective.
    • 29 Dec 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends getting arginine in the diet, as it is a strong activator of mtor, which is desired for building muscle and creating big spikes in mtor for short amounts of time.
    • 27 Apr 2021 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Warns that arginine cannot be effectively used in supplement form because it is heavily broken down and catabolized by the gut microbiome, making it not bioavailable for improving blood flow.
    • 17 Jul 2020 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Suggests adding arginine or citrulline malate on longer or higher intensity workout days to increase nitric oxide, which allows for more blood flow to the gut, improving oxygen and nutrient delivery.
    • 25 Jun 2020 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends getting extra arginine, as it is a strong activator of mtor, which is desired for building muscle.
  • Dr. Mark Hyman · Arginine · neutral
    • 11 Sep 2024 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that arginine is important for nitric oxide production, which dilates blood vessels and helps with inflammation.
    • 19 Jun 2024 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Mentions arginine as one of the things that can be used to repair mucosal membranes as part of the 'repair' step in the 4R program.
    • 10 Nov 2023 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends certain supplements like Arginine to naturally help build growth hormone.
    • 18 Oct 2023 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Explains that Arginine is an amino acid that is a precursor for nitric oxide, which causes vasodilation and can help lower blood pressure.
    • 1 Apr 2022 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Raises the question of whether taking arginine, which increases nitric oxide in the body, could be beneficial.
    • 12 Mar 2022 · warns · YouTube ↗
      Notes that foods containing arginine, like nuts, can activate the herpes virus.
    • 18 Feb 2022 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Discusses whether people should be taking arginine to increase nitric oxide in the body, noting that there are dietary supplements that introduce arginine precursors and L-arginine.
    • 4 Oct 2021 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends arginine, an amino acid that arteries use to make nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels, and suggests supplementing with it for symptomatic Raynaud's.
    • 19 Sep 2021 · uses · YouTube ↗
      Explains that arginine is the amino acid precursor to nitric oxide and that taking more arginine will lead to more nitric oxide production. He personally takes a powder containing 5 grams of arginine every single morning.
    • 11 Jun 2021 · recommends · YouTube ↗
      Recommends consuming arginine, an amino acid and precursor to nitric oxide, noting that taking in more arginine will lead to more nitric oxide production, as shown in various studies.
  • Peter Attia · Arginine · neutral
    • 26 Sep 2022 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that nitrogen from arginine goes to nitric oxide, which is involved in vasodilation.
    • 22 Dec 2019 · neutral · YouTube ↗
      Notes that the Tor pathway evolved to detect both leucine and arginine, at least in most tissues, but the reason for sensing these two structurally different amino acids is a mystery.

RAL Summary

Members OnlyTier 4 for Circulation

The studies for blood flow are mixed, with the largest and longest trial finding no benefit and the positive results coming mainly from small, short studies or an infusion, so they do not show the clear improvement that tier 2 requires. So it is graded Tier 4, lower than the rules alone gave.

Take 3 servings a day (6 capsules) to match the dose that worked in the studies.

  • Emerging: not enough evidence to rank higher yet.

Where the evidence disagrees: 12 of the 32 human studies found no effect.

More Details

Members OnlyBody systems · Combine with · Possible side effects

Body systems: Cardiovascular system

Combine with: For blood flow, pair with L-citrulline (which raises arginine levels more effectively), beetroot or nitrate sources, magnesium, and CoQ10 or omega-3s for endothelial support. If the goal is erectile support, add Panax ginseng, pycnogenol (often combined with arginine in studies), and zinc. For true libido support, consider ashwagandha, fenugreek extract, tongkat ali, maca, vitamin D and zinc, which act on hormones, stress and desire. Avoid combining with prescription nitrates or PDE5 inhibitors without medical guidance, and use caution if you have low blood pressure, herpes outbreaks, or take meds.

Possible side effects: In one small trial, 4 days of use worsened small blood vessel function in the fingers of older adults with diabetes or high blood pressure. No written reviews could be read, so buyer side effects are unknown.

Supplement Facts

L-Arginine 1 g
Supplement Facts
Serving Size Two Capsules
Servings Per Container 60
Amount Per Serving% Daily Value
L-Arginine1 g†
† Daily Value not established.

Other ingredients: High and low viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, Calcium Laurate and Magnesium Citrate (Time-Sorb®†), Hypromellose (derived from cellulose) capsule, Leucine, Silicon Dioxide.

Directions: Take 2 capsules two times daily or as recommended by your health-care practitioner.

Label source: Reverseagelab · Report a label change

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Graded November 6, 2026 by the Reverse Age Lab evidence engine, from human studies, real reviews and our biohacker panel. How we grade. Is this medical advice? No. Rala organizes the published evidence; go over any change with your doctor, especially if you take meds.