Citrulline Malate
Overview
Citrulline malate is a dietary supplement that has gained popularity among athletes and fitness enthusiasts for its potential to enhance physical performance and reduce fatigue. It is a compound made by combining the non-essential amino acid L-citrulline with malate, an intermediate in the tricarboxylic acid cycle. The primary mechanism through which citrulline malate is believed to exert its effects is by increasing the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), which helps in vasodilation and thus improves blood flow to muscles during exercise. This increased blood flow is thought to enhance the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to muscles, which can improve exercise performance and reduce fatigue. Additionally, citrulline is involved in the urea cycle and helps in the removal of ammonia from the body, a compound that can accumulate during intense physical activity and contribute to fatigue. Studies have shown that supplementation with citrulline malate can improve both aerobic and anaerobic performance, increase muscle endurance, and decrease muscle soreness after exercise. For instance, a study by Pérez-Guisado and Jakeman (2010) demonstrated that participants who consumed citrulline malate reported a significant increase in the number of repetitions during weight training and a decrease in muscle soreness after 24 and 48 hours post-exercise compared to those who took a placebo (Pérez-Guisado & Jakeman, 2010).
- A nonessential amino acid (Figueroa et al., 2017)
- Endogenous precursor of L-arginine, a substrate for NO synthase (Figueroa et al., 2017)
- Converted to arginine in urea cycle (Figueroa et al., 2017)
- Not catabolized by arginase enzymes (Figueroa et al., 2017)
- Effective inhibitor or arginase enzyme (Figueroa et al., 2017)
- Bypasses liver uptake and degradation (Figueroa et al., 2017).
- Typically bonded to malate salts (Papadia et al., 2017)
- Malate functions in the krebs cycle as an intermediary (Papadia et al., 2017)
- Increases cellular energy produc…