The L-Arginine in Eggs

The amino acid L-arginine is of particular interest to bodybuilders and people seeking alternative treatments for sexual dysfunction. Along with other aminos, it contributes to muscle growth and repair; it also may help the body heal injuries and prevent weight loss in people suffering from chronic illness. Considered a semi-essential amino acid, meaning the body can make enough of it most of the time, arginine is present in high-protein foods such as nuts, meats and eggs.

Arginine in Eggs

A whole egg contains about 0.32 gram of L-arginine, so your three-egg morning omelet will provide almost a gram. Eggs are not the most concentrated food source of arginine available, however. By comparison, an ounce of almonds -- 23 pieces -- contains about 0.7 gram of arginine, and a 3-ounce serving of beef sirloin steak provides nearly 1.5 grams. There is no established daily requirement for arginine, but Mayo Clinic cites a maximum safe dosage of 6 grams per day for adults who take it as a supplement.


Arginine is a hot topic in bodybuilding circles, where it has a reputation for improving muscle growth and power. Workout supplements targeted toward weightlifters often contain arginine and other amino acids purported to do just that. However, an April, 2012 study published in "Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition" found that taking an arginine supplement before a workout did not enhance performance in either trained or untrained male participants, at least in the short term. Eggs can, however, help you build muscle thanks to their protein content and full complement of essential amino acids -- those the body can't synthesize on its own and which it needs to repair and build muscle fibers following a workout.

Sexual Dysfunction

Arginine is a precursor to nitric oxide, which dilates blood vessels and contributes to smooth muscle relaxation, theoretically enabling more blood flow to the genital region. Egg consumption is unlikely to generate such a response, however. Research into the phenomenon reveals only a "modest" improvement in sexual response, and then only in amounts much greater than those found in eggs, according to Dr. Ray Sahelian. He notes that the dosage required to generate any effect is at least 5 to 10 grams, which is 10 to 30 eggs' worth -- well exceeding the recommended intake.

Eating Eggs

Their modest arginine content notwithstanding, eggs are a source of high-quality protein that contributes virtually no carbohydrate and only limited fat -- 4.2 grams for a single medium egg -- to your diet. You can increase the arginine content of any egg-based meal by adding other arginine-rich foods. For example, serve your eggs alongside meats such as ham or bacon, or fold tofu or a soy-based meat substitute into an omelet. Bacon has about 0.2 gram of arginine per slice, and tofu can add about 1 gram of arginine per ounce.