ORNITHINE: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Ornithine is an amino acid that is made in the body. It's not used to create protein, but plays a role in other processes. It can also be made in a lab.

Ornithine might help to increase levels of another amino acid called arginine. It might also increase levels of hormones that increase muscle size.

People use ornithine for athletic performance, dry skin, insomnia, wound healing, and other purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support most of these uses.

Don't confuse ornithine with ornithine alpha-ketoglutarate (OKG) or L-Ornithine-L-Aspartate. These are not the same.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Effective for

Athletic performance. Taking ornithine by mouth might reduce fatigue and improve some measures of athletic performance.

There is interest in using ornithine for a number of other purposes, but there isn't enough reliable information to say whether it might be helpful.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Ornithine is possibly safe when used at doses up to 500 mg daily for up to 8 weeks and up to 12 grams daily for 4 weeks. It might cause stomach or intestine symptoms.

Special Precautions and Warnings

When taken by mouth: Ornithine is possibly safe when used at doses up to 500 mg daily for up to 8 weeks and up to 12 grams daily for 4 weeks. It might cause stomach or intestine symptoms.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if ornithine is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Interactions ?

We currently have no information for ORNITHINE overview.

Dosing

There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of ornithine might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.

View References

REFERENCES:

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Demura, S., Morishita, K., Yamada, T., Yamaji, S., and Komatsu, M. Effect of L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion on intermittent maximal anaerobic cycle ergometer performance and fatigue recovery after exercise. Eur.J.Appl.Physiol 2011;111(11):2837-2843. View abstract.

Demura, S., Yamada, T., Yamaji, S., Komatsu, M., and Morishita, K. The effect of L-ornithine hydrochloride ingestion on performance during incremental exhaustive ergometer bicycle exercise and ammonia metabolism during and after exercise. Eur.J.Clin.Nutr. 2010;64(10):1166-1171. View abstract.

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Kircheis, G., Nilius, R., Held, C., Berndt, H., Buchner, M., Gortelmeyer, R., Hendricks, R., Kruger, B., Kuklinski, B., Meister, H., Otto, H. J., Rink, C., Rosch, W., and Stauch, S. Therapeutic efficacy of L-ornithine-L-aspartate infusions in patients with cirrhosis and hepatic encephalopathy: results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Hepatology 1997;25(6):1351-1360. View abstract.

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Mittal, V. V., Sharma, B. C., Sharma, P., and Sarin, S. K. A randomized controlled trial comparing lactulose, probiotics, and L-ornithine L-aspartate in treatment of minimal hepatic encephalopathy. Eur.J.Gastroenterol.Hepatol. 2011;23(8):725-732. View abstract.

Ndraha, S., Hasan, I., and Simadibrata, M. The effect of L-ornithine L-aspartate and branch chain amino acids on encephalopathy and nutritional status in liver cirrhosis with malnutrition. Acta Med.Indones. 2011;43(1):18-22. View abstract.

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Ong, J. P., Oehler, G., Kruger-Jansen, C., Lambert-Baumann, J., and Younossi, Z. M. Oral L-ornithine-L-aspartate improves health-related quality of life in cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy: an open-label, prospective, multicentre observational study. Clin.Drug Investig. 2011;31(4):213-220. View abstract.

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Poo JL, Gongora J Sanchez-Avila JF Aguilar-Castillo S Garcia Ramos G Fernandez-Zertuche M Rodriguez-Fragoso L Uribe M. Efficacy and safety of L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) administration. Open label randomized controlled trial versus lactulose in cirrhotic patients with hyperammonemic hepatic encephalopathy. Journal of Hepatology. 2007;46(4 (Suppl 1)):S36.

Poo, J. L., Gongora, J., Sanchez-Avila, F., Aguilar-Castillo, S., Garcia-Ramos, G., Fernandez-Zertuche, M., Rodriguez-Fragoso, L., and Uribe, M. Efficacy of oral L-ornithine-L-aspartate in cirrhotic patients with hyperammonemic hepatic encephalopathy. Results of a randomized, lactulose-controlled study. Ann.Hepatol. 2006;5(4):281-288. View abstract.

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Simell, O. and Perheentupa, J. Renal handling of diamino acids in lysinuric protein intolerance. J.Clin.Invest 1974;54(1):9-17. View abstract.

Soarez, P. C., Oliveira, A. C., Padovan, J., Parise, E. R., and Ferraz, M. B. A critical analysis of studies assessing L-ornithine-L-aspartate (LOLA) in hepatic encephalopathy treatment. Arq Gastroenterol. 2009;46(3):241-247. View abstract.

Staedt, U., Leweling, H., Gladisch, R., Kortsik, C., Hagmuller, E., and Holm, E. Effects of ornithine aspartate on plasma ammonia and plasma amino acids in patients with cirrhosis. A double-blind, randomized study using a four-fold crossover design. J.Hepatol. 1993;19(3):424-430. View abstract.

Stauch S, Rosch W. Effects of L-ornithine-L-aspartate granulate on hyperammonemia in cirrhotic patients with hepatic encephalopathy (HE). A placebo-controlled double-blind study. Zeitschrift fur Gastroenterologie. 1992;30(4):300-301.

Stauch, S., Kircheis, G., Adler, G., Beckh, K., Ditschuneit, H., Gortelmeyer, R., Hendricks, R., Heuser, A., Karoff, C., Malfertheiner, P., Mayer, D., Rosch, W., and Steffens, J. Oral L-ornithine-L-aspartate therapy of chronic hepatic encephalopathy: results of a placebo-controlled double-blind study. J.Hepatol. 1998;28(5):856-864. View abstract.

Stechmiller, J. K., Childress, B., and Cowan, L. Arginine supplementation and wound healing. Nutr.Clin.Pract. 2005;20(1):52-61. View abstract.

Sugino, T., Shirai, T., Kajimoto, Y., and Kajimoto, O. L-ornithine supplementation attenuates physical fatigue in healthy volunteers by modulating lipid and amino acid metabolism. Nutr.Res. 2008;28(11):738-743. View abstract.

Tsai B-H, Lee N-Y. Effect of arginine and ornithine supplementation on weightlifters' fat free mass and anaerobic power. Nutritional Sciences Journal. 1997;22(4):373-383.

Yuan, Wenming. Li Jing. Xu Lin. Zhang Mingming. Lu Zhenchan. Feng Shejun. Wang Ling. L-ornithine-L-aspartate for hepatic encephalopathy. Cochrane Hepato-Biliary Group Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2009;

Bucci LR, Hickson JF Jr, Wolinsky I, Pivarnik JM. Ornithine supplementation and insulin release in bodybuilders. Int J Sport Nutr 1992;2:287-91. View abstract.

Fogelholm GM, Naveri HK, Kiilavuori KT, Harkonen MH. Low-dose amino acid supplementation: no effects on serum human growth hormone and insulin in male weightlifters. Int J Sport Nutr 1993;3:290-7. View abstract.

Fukuda T, Haraguchi A, Takahashi M, et al. A randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled crossover trial on the effect of l-ornithine ingestion on the human circadian clock. Chronobiol Int 2018;35(10):1445-55. View abstract.

Hol JW, van Lier F, Valk M, Klimek M, Stolker RJ, Fekkes D. Effect of major and minor surgery on plasma levls of arginine, citrulline, nitric oxide metabolites, and ornithine in humans. Ann Surg 2013;258(6):1072-8. View abstract.

Horiuchi M, Kanesada H, Miyata T, et al. Ornithine ingestion improved sleep disturbances but was not associated with correction of blood tryptophan ratio in Japanese Antarctica expedition members during summer. Nutr Res 2013;33(7):557-64. View abstract.

Ito N, Seki S, Ueda F. Effects of Composite Supplement Containing Collagen Peptide and Ornithine on Skin Conditions and Plasma IGF-1 Levels-A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. Mar Drugs. 2018;16(12). pii: E482. View abstract.

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CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
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