Interstitial Cystitis Advice

Story originally posted on January 6, 2006



A potential warning for those who take the amino acid supplement L-Arginine for their IC (or for any other reason); research that was released yesterday to the press and public (in the January 4th issue of JAMA) is altering everyone (not only those with IC) that L-Arginine should not be used if you have recently had a heart attack. The supplement (which helps some ICers to feel relief from their Interstitial Cystitis symptoms) has gained steady notoriety in the IC community in the past few years, and it's merits in this regard are not in the limelight right now.

It is also being encouraged that anyone with the heart condition "atherosclerosis", not take this product either. All persons with coronary heart problems who are taking L-Arginine are urged to speak with their doctors immediately. Physicians from the John Hopkins Medical Institutes state that L-Arginine not only failed to provide any improvement in terms of cardiac function, it may also be linked to an increase in risk of death due to these heart problems.

Given the vast increase in the number of people who are taking this supplement for a host of reasons (it can aid with other conditions such as hypertension and sexual dysfunction) it is crucial that you inform your physician that you are on this supplement. If you have any reason to believe that you may have heart problems at all, please as stated above, talk to your doctor right away to determine if you should cease usage of L-Arginine. It is worth noting that there have been reports in the past which contradict these new findings, and that as of yet L-Arginine has not been pulled off the market.

Information resources:

Should The Public Be Wary of Arginine Supplements

L-Arginine Therapy Examined in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Use Of Amino Acid Supplement Following A Heart Attack Provides No Benefit, May Be Harmful