Nitric Oxide

What this is. Amino acids the body uses to make nitric oxide, which widens blood vessels. Taken before training for blood flow and pump.

800 mg of amino acids per two-capsule serving, of which 400 mg is L-citrulline DL-malate. Citrulline research uses 6 g to 8 g a day, so this is well under it, and the front of the bottle says so.

What you are actually getting, per 2 capsules

• L-Citrulline DL-Malate (ratio not stated on the panel) — 400 mg
• L-Arginine HCl — 350 mg
• AAKG (arginine alpha-ketoglutarate) — 50 mg

Two of these three are compounds rather than the free amino acid, and the panel does not break them down. Citrulline malate is citrulline bonded to malic acid, and the ratio — 1:1 or 2:1 — is not stated, so how much of that 400 mg is citrulline itself is not stated either. Same with L-arginine HCl: the hydrochloride is part of the 350 mg, and the free arginine content is not given.

Worth knowing before you buy

The research on citrulline uses 6 g to 8 g a day. This serving contains 400 mg of citrulline malate before the malate is subtracted. Reaching 6 g from this bottle would take 15 servings in a day, which is half the bottle and not something to do. Arginine studies typically use 3 g to 6 g; there is 350 mg of arginine HCl here plus 50 mg of AAKG.

There is a reason products at research doses come as powders: 6 g does not fit into two capsules, and no capsule product in this category gets close. This is a small, honestly weighed amino acid blend that is clearly below the studied amounts. If you want the studied dose, buy citrulline malate as a powder and weigh it.

How to take it

Two capsules a day with water. Sixty capsules in the bottle at two a day, which is 30 days.

Other ingredients

Cellulose. The capsule shell is cellulose rather than gelatin, so it is suitable for vegetarians and vegans. The panel declares no allergens.

Cautions

Arginine and citrulline interact with medicines that affect blood pressure, with nitrates, and with erectile dysfunction medicines such as sildenafil and tadalafil, so speak to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this if you use any of them. If you have had a heart attack, or you have herpes simplex, arginine is worth raising with your doctor as well. Keep out of the reach of children. Do not use if the safety seal is damaged or missing. Store in a cool, dry place. Do not exceed the recommended dose. If you are pregnant, nursing, under 18, taking prescription medication or living with a medical condition, speak to your doctor or pharmacist before starting this or any supplement.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.