Ornithine and Its Potential Benefits for Weight Loss and Improving Body Composition
Amino acids are the building blocks of protein, used to create the various types of tissues in the body. A number of amino acids, including Ornithine, have some potential benefits in terms of weight loss and body composition. Because of this, Ornithine is one of the main ingredients in the popular weight loss supplement PS1000.
Increases Energy and Decreases Fatigue
In at least one study, participants that took Ornithine experienced more energy and less fatigue when riding stationary cycles than those who had taken a placebo. This may be due to the increased elimination of ammonia that occurs in the presence of Ornithine, as this is one of its actions in the body. Intense or prolonged exercise increases the amount of amount of ammonia in the body, increasing the need for Ornithine. Ornithine is also one of the amino acids responsible for supplying energy throughout the body because it’s necessary for the production of citrulline, proline, and glutamic acid, which all take part in this process.
Promotes the Secretion of Human Growth Hormone
One of the ways in which Ornithine may influence weight loss is through promoting the secretion of human growth hormone, or HGH. HGH increases the breakdown of fat storage cells and makes it so the body is less likely to store more fat. It’s most likely to be beneficial for weight loss purposes in those that are deficient in human growth hormone, but it may still have some effects in those that have sufficient HGH in their system.
May Promote an Increase in Muscle Mass
Ornithine helps with the disposal of extra nitrogen in the body, which means that it is essential for keeping the body in nitrogen balance. If the body isn’t in nitrogen balance, you won’t be able to put on more muscle. In fact, if the nitrogen balance is negative, you could even lose muscle. The increase in HGH, insulin, and other growth-promoting hormones brought about by increases in Ornithine and arginine may also promote muscle growth.
Promotes Fat Metabolism and Fat Loss
When people say they want to lose weight, what they really mean is that they want to lose fat. However, unless extra steps are taken when you cut calories or increase the amount of exercise you get, you’ll lose a mix of fat and muscle. Ornithine supplementation helps promote fat metabolism, so it may help with this problem. Eating plenty of protein and doing strength training while trying to lose weight will minimize muscle loss even more.
Works Better When Combined With Arginine or Lysine
These three amino acids all influence the secretion of human growth hormone, but the effects seem greater when you take them in combination than when you take them individually. This combination helped to improve lean body mass and total strength more than a placebo when combined with a strength training program in at least one study. Keep in mind that the more muscle you have, the more calories you’ll burn even when you’re at rest, because it takes more calories to maintain each pound of muscle than to maintain each pound of fat.
May Increase Vasodilation
Vasodilation is the widening and relaxation of the blood vessels, which increases the circulation of blood throughout the body and decreases blood pressure levels. This means more nutrients and oxygen are delivered to the muscles and more waste products, including the fatigue-producing ammonia and lactic acid, are removed from the muscles, allowing people to be able to train longer and harder and recover more quickly.
Helps Improve Healing
Sore muscles or injuries can make it harder for people to get the exercise they need to get closer to reaching their weight loss goals. Ornithine may help to improve healing in the tissues of the body, allowing you to get back to your regular workouts and start burning calories again more quickly. It may be possible to work out a little bit harder without being too sore to work out again the next day.
May Help Improve Sleep
Some research shows that Ornithine may help reduce stress and make it so people sleep better and suffer less from insomnia. Not getting enough sleep is associated with weight gain, so getting plenty of quality sleep is essential for those who are trying to lose weight.
Effects May Not Be As Significant in Strength-Trained People
If you’ve already been participating in a lot of strength training, you may not see as much benefit from taking this supplement as someone that is newer to this type of exercise, especially if you also follow a high-protein diet (which would provide you with at least a certain amount of Ornithine already). Women and younger individuals are likely to see more benefits that men and older individuals when taking these supplements.
Effects Greater in Combination with Diet and Exercise
A supplement alone will have minimal effects on a person’s weight and body composition. These supplements are most useful to increase the effects of a reduced calorie diet and exercise. Make dietary changes, such as following the PS1000 diet and making sure to get sufficient protein while limiting starchy and sugary foods. Also, incorporate 30 minutes to 60 minutes of cardio into your routine most days of the week and participate in at least two full-body strength training sessions each week, separated by at least one day of rest.
Be Aware of Potential Side Effects
While most people tolerate Ornithine supplements well, some people experience diarrhea, nausea, or abdominal cramps if they take higher doses of more than 10 grams per day. This supplement isn’t recommended for those who have kidney problems.
