Supplement brands are always trying to find “the next big thing”, and agmatine sulfate is the latest one to be thrown into the limelight.
There’s been a rapid rise in the number of pre-workout formulas which include this nitric oxide booster, coupled with some rather impressive claims about how much it can “enhance training performance”, so I figured we’d put it under the microscope today and see what the fuss is all about.
Can it live up to the hype?
Flipping The Nitric Oxide Switch
Agmatine sulfate is a nitric oxide booster.
Anybody who used a pre-workout in the 2000s will be familiar with this term, as they were all the rage back then.
Tapping into the body’s nitric oxide pathway causes a temporary widening of your blood vessels, which allows for a greater delivery of key nutrients and a better pump. This can help you squeeze out more reps per set and boost the intensity of your workouts. (1)
(NOTE: Nitric oxide is not to be confused with nitrous oxide from the Fast & Furious movies, although supplement companies would have you beleive it does a similar thing!)
What Is Agmatine Sulfate?
Agmatine comes from the amino acid l-arginine.
If you are a regular pre-workout connoisseur you’re likely familiar with arginine (or citrulline malate, which actually becomes arginine once it enters the body) and aware of its ability to improve muscular endurance, recovery speed, and explosive strength.
Agmatine sulfate is said to inhibit the production of the enzyme arginase (which breaks down arginine) and stimulate production of the enzyme eNOS (endothelial nitrox oxide synthase), which produces nitric oxide.
In theory, this puts you in a position to have significantly more nitric oxide during training. (2)
Is Agmatine Sulfate An Effective Nitric Oxide Booster?
Sadly not.
A 2007 study published in Brain Research showed that combining agmatine with arginine/citrulline actually results in lower arginine production. Rather than forming an effective tag team, it appears agmatine sulfate clashes with its more illustrious cousins. (5)
Another study also suggested it clashes with yohimbine (a popular pre-workout / fat burner ingredient). (4)
However, studies do indicate it can offer some useful benefits for mental focus, increased pain tolerance, and stress-busting, but that’s not really why most bodybuilding supplements are including it in their formula. (3, 6, 7, 8)
As far as performance enhancement goes, listen to Dr. Gad Gillad, who conducted a mammoth 5-year study on the health benefits of long-term agmatine sulfate supplementation (by far the most detailed trial on this topic to date):
“The fact that agmatine is touted for bodybuilding purposes is completely unsubstantiated, and is backed by outright false claims.” (6)
– Dr. Gad Gillad
Russ’ Rating
This gets 1-star from me.
Until more supporting research arrives (heck, anything at all!) I don’t recommend using this ingredient as part of your pre-workout formula.
Also, any supplement manufacturers who are currently hyping up the supposed training benefits of agmatine sulfate should be seen as a giant red flag for future purchase because, as you’ve just seen, none of the claims about it have ever been proven.
Further Reading:
If you enjoyed this blog, then you’ll probably also like reading these.
>> Russ’ Guide To Supplements
>> Citrulline Malate: A Pre-Workout Powerhouse
>> Creatine: Your Best Pal For Building Muscle!
References:
- Legaz M. E., et al. Endogenous Inactivators of Arginase, l-Arginine Decarboxylase, and Agmatine Amidinohydrolase in Evernia prunastri Thallus. Plant Physiol (1983).
- Mun C. H., et al. Regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase by agmatine after transient global cerebral ischemia in rat brain. Anat Cell Biol (2010).
- Hwang S. L., et al. Activation of imidazoline receptors in adrenal gland to lower plasma glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Diabetologia (2005).
- Molderings G. J., et al. Dual interaction of agmatine with the rat α2D-adrenoceptor: competitive antagonism and allosteric activation. Br J Pharmacol (2000).
- Yananlı H., et al. Effect of agmatine on brain l-citrulline production during morphine withdrawal in rats: A microdialysis study in nucleus accumbens. Brain Res (2007).
- Gilad G. M., et al. Long-term (5 years), high daily dosage of dietary agmatine – evidence of safety: a case report. J Med Food (2014).
- Taksande B. G., et al. Agmatine, an endogenous imidazoline receptor ligand modulates ethanol anxiolysis and withdrawal anxiety in rats. Eur J Pharmacol (2010).
- Chang C. H., et al. Increase of beta-endorphin secretion by agmatine is induced by activation of imidazoline I(2A) receptors in adrenal gland of rats. Neurosci Lett (2010).