Arginine is an amino acid that stimulates growth, helps make nitric oxide, promotes healing and tissue repair, and decreases blood pressure.  A review of literature from Texas A & M University concluded that arginine might also reduce body fat and help fight obesity.  Several studies found that L-arginine supplements reduced body fat. Arginine prevents fat cell growth and stimulates the growth of brown fat , a highly thermogenic tissue that speeds the rate the body burns calories and fat.  Also, arginine acts as a chemical energy signal that speeds metabolism.  They concluded that arginine is a safe, low cost nutrient that reduces body fat, increase muscle mass, and improves metabolic health.

(Amino Acids, in press;  Published online May 1, 2010)