CITRULLINE
Description
Citrulline is an amino acid produced by the body. It is also found in food and especially in cucurbits such as squash, pumpkin, cucumbers, melons and watermelon.
Unlike other amino acids, citrulline is not integrated in proteins. However, it can be metabolised into another amino acid: arginine. Citrulline therefore indirectly promotes protein synthesis.
Furthermore, the degradation of arginine allows the formation of nitric oxide (NO), a gas that acts as a chemical messenger. NO acts in particular on the walls of the blood vessels and arteries and causes them to relax, resulting in a drop in blood pressure. Citrulline thus contributes to better oxygenation of muscle fibres and promotes their irrigation. Vasodilatation due to NO is also involved in improving erectile function.
Citrulline is also used by sportsmen and women in order to promote muscle recovery after exercise, but also to improve their endurance. This property is due to the intervention of citrulline in the metabolism of ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in the urine. Consequently, citrulline promotes the elimination of toxins and helps to reduce acidity in the muscles during exercise.
Its action on muscle development also has an anti-ageing effect and thus helps to compensate for the destruction of muscle fibres.
The benefits
- Citrulline, an amino acid not integrated in proteins, is involved in improving physical performance by contributing to better oxygenation of muscle tissue. It promotes recovery after exercise.
