Nobel Prize Medicine....

I have a disease. If you're reading this blog, you probably do too. It's called the "I worry" disease. I worry about my health. I worry about my husband's health. I worry about my kids' health. I worry about my grandparents' health. I worry about the overweight lady in the next booth over at the restaurant who's eating a huge plate of onion rings while drinking an extra large coke's health.

I worry about heart disease. Heart disease runs in my family. For me, heart disease prevention is a top priority. For this reason, I run. For this reason, I add strange concoctions of garbanzo beans, fruits and veggies to my kids' pancakes. For this reason, I jump for joy every time my dad calls me to report how many calories he's burned for the week (according to his heart rate monitor). Yes--he's even more obsessed than I am. I really want to be healthy, and I really want my family to be healthy. Cardiovascular disease claims over 900,000 lives each year in the United States...it's the number one killer! I don't want it to take me or anyone I know!

A few months ago, my parents started talking about an arginine supplement they'd started taking. I thought it sounded good, but didn't see how it would benefit me. That is, until they started telling me more. My mom, who's been working out regularly for months without seeing results, started losing weight. My dad, who's been on medication for high blood pressure for quite a while, was able to go off his medication!

I wanted to learn more, so I've done some research. ProArgi-9 Plus is based on research that won the Nobel Prize. In his book NO More Heart Disease, Dr. Ignarro states that by restoring normal production and activity of nitric oxide in your body, you can "lower your blood pressure, improve your circulation, delay the onset or progression of atherosclerosis, and reduce your likelihood of (and possibly prevent) a heart attack or a stroke."

Supposedly, no matter your age or physical condition, taking steps to increase your nitric oxide production (which the proargi-9 supplement helps accomplish), you can either prevent or begin to reverse cardiovascular disease!

About a month ago, I decided to give it a try. I would like to think I'm a pretty healthy individual, so I didn't know if I would feel any different. And I can't say it's been life-altering for me. But I definitely have more energy. After a hard workout, I haven't been as sore. I haven't been Monster Mom as often. I'm sleeping better. Several small changes=happier me. I'm sold.

If you're as intrigued as I was, read on. Here are a few more possible benefits that this amino acid may provide (and why I recommend considering adding arginine to your wellness plan)...

1. Arginine may protect against heart disease, stroke, cancer, and diabetes. It may also slow the aging process. Arginine is 1,000 times more powerful than any naturally occurring antioxidant in the body.
2. Arginine increases the production of nitric oxide by the endothelium. This keeps your arteries more elastic, which helps with blood flow and blood pressure.
3. It can improve memory...especially long-term memory!
4. Since many complications associated with diabetes are related to the vascular system, it may help with it's treatment and prevention. It may also help regulate insulin secretion in the pancreas.
5. It improves prostate function.
6. It boosts human growth hormone (HGH) production to normal levels.
7. It helps the immune system.
8. It helps lower LDL and serum cholesterol levels.
9. It can improve male sexual performance!
10. It's anticoagulant abilities can reduce clotting, thus lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke!
11. It reduces pregnancy-related high blood pressure!
12. It helps asthma (and other lung disorders) by opening pulmonary pathways.
13. It helps prevent and heal hemorrhoids by relaxing overly tight sphincter muscles! (Yay!)
14. It promotes lean muscle mass and preserves bone density. USEFUL COMPONENT IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND STRENGTH TRAINING!
15. Helps speed up wound healing and recovery after surgery.
16. Helps improve athletic performance!
17. It may prevent and possibly reverse the effects of osteoporosis by helping increase bone density!
18. It has been used to treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

Phew...this isn't even a complete list.

I'm not about to stop worrying (it's a disease, remember?). And I don't think any supplement should replace healthy habits. But I'm sleeping a little better (literally) knowing that we actually can have more control over our heart health than I realized!

I'm still learning about this "miracle" drug. If any of you want to come learn with me, let me know. If you're in the Salt Lake area, I'm going to a meeting Wednesday night at 6:30 pm to hear more about the benefits. Come with me...I'd love to have a friend! Let me know in the comments......