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Limited evidencePhysical performance

Arginine Silicate (Nitrosigine)

A bonded arginine-silicate complex that raises blood arginine more than arginine alone. The published trials are small, mostly manufacturer-funded, and measure cognition or vasodilation rather than training outcomes.

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What the science says

  • Acute vasodilation Limited evidence

    A randomised trial in young adults found acute arginine silicate produced measurable vasodilation, in the same direction as citrulline malate. This was a single small acute study.

  • Cognitive measures in small trials Limited evidence

    Randomised double-blind studies in physically active adults and in gamers reported improvements on some cognitive and executive function tests. Samples were small and the work was funded by the ingredient manufacturer.

  • Strength and hypertrophy untested Limited evidence

    No trial has shown that arginine silicate improves strength, endurance or muscle gain across a training block.

Dosage & safety

Studied dose1.5 g/day of inositol-stabilised arginine silicate (about 1 g of arginine), taken 15–60 minutes before activity, is the dose used in published trials.
SafetyWell tolerated over trials lasting a few weeks; longer-term data are lacking. Arginine can lower blood pressure and may interact with antihypertensives and PDE5 inhibitors. Some people with herpes simplex report flares with arginine supplementation.

How to take it

TimingTake it 15 to 60 minutes before activity, as in the published trials.
With food?On an empty stomach, which is how it was studied and which speeds absorption.
Worth knowingIf you get cold sores, arginine can trigger a flare in some people, so watch for that pattern before committing to daily use.

Interactions

With medications

  • blood-pressure medication

    Arginine lowers blood pressure and adds to the drug's effect. monitor your blood pressure when you start

  • PDE5 inhibitors such as sildenafil, and nitrates

    Both work through nitric oxide, so blood pressure can fall further than intended. do not combine without asking your doctor

With other supplements

  • citrulline or beetroot nitrate

    Overlapping nitric-oxide pathways with additive blood pressure effects. pick one nitric-oxide product rather than stacking

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does arginine silicate (Nitrosigine) work?

Arginine silicate (Nitrosigine) has limited evidence: small, mostly manufacturer-funded trials show acute vasodilation and some cognitive test improvements. No trial has shown arginine silicate improves strength, endurance or muscle gain.

Does Nitrosigine improve focus?

Small double-blind studies in active adults and gamers reported improvements on some cognitive tests with arginine silicate, but the samples were small and the work was funded by the manufacturer. The evidence is limited.

How much arginine silicate should I take?

Published trials used 1.5 g/day of inositol-stabilised arginine silicate (about 1 g of arginine), taken 15–60 minutes before activity on an empty stomach.

Does arginine silicate have side effects?

Arginine silicate was well tolerated over a few weeks, but it can lower blood pressure and may interact with antihypertensives, PDE5 inhibitors and nitrates. Some people with herpes simplex report cold sore flares with arginine.

Scientific references

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