Arginine aspartate

Amino-acidArginine

What is it

Arginine aspartate is a salt combining the amino acid L-arginine with aspartic acid. It is used in some cardiovascular, sports, and sexual-health supplements as an alternative form of arginine.

Evidence for 2 uses

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

Endothelial function / cardiovascular

Limited Evidence

Arginine in various forms may modestly improve endothelial function. Aspartate-specific benefits are not established.

Exercise performance

Limited Evidence

Mixed evidence; some athletes report benefits.

How it works

L-arginine is the substrate for nitric oxide synthase, producing the vasodilator nitric oxide. Aspartic acid is a non-essential amino acid involved in the urea cycle and energy metabolism. Combining the two provides both amino acids in a single salt; whether this offers benefits over plain L-arginine is not well established.

Dosage

Typical products provide 1 to 3 grams of arginine equivalent per serving.

When and how to take it

Often taken before exercise or sexual activity; specific timing benefits are not well established.

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

L-arginine L-aspartate

Common salt form in supplements.

Provides both amino acids.

Safety

Generally well tolerated. High doses can cause GI upset, diarrhea, and rarely hypotension.

Who should be cautious

Use cautiously with low blood pressure or antihypertensives. Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding at supplement levels. People with kidney or liver disease should consult a clinician.

Interactions

Arginine may potentiate blood-pressure-lowering medications and nitrates. Caution with herpes simplex (theoretical viral support).

Frequently asked questions

Is arginine aspartate better than L-arginine?

Not clearly. The aspartate adds another amino acid but does not appear to confer unique advantages.

References

Arginine aspartate on WikidataWikidata link

Arginine aspartate (PubChem CID 11500504)PubChem link

Arginine aspartate on NIH DSLD (US supplement label database)NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database link

Research on Arginine aspartate (PubMed search)PubMed link

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Evidence-based·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.