Arginine and children
Adults require nine essential amino acids but infants and growing children require a tenth amino acid, arginine. Arginine is made by the liver as a step in producing urea in order to rid the body of the toxic build up of ammonia in the muscles. Children, however, cannot manufacture arginine fast enough to keep their bodies detoxified in in addition to caring for the manufactureof necessary proteins required for their growth, therefore they must obtain it through their diet.

Arginine and high energy requirements
see also   Leucine  and   Valine
There is a high energy compound called creatine phosphate which is important in keeping energy stores high in muscle and other excitable tissues such as brain and nerve. Body builders and other athletes often supplement themselves with this important nutrient so that their energy levels will remain high. Arginine and methionine are both important amino acids required by the body for the synthesis of this compound within the body and must be present in adequate amounts for this process to take place. Both of these amino acids are found in Noni juice.

Arginine also stimulates the release of growth hormone and insulin. Like alanine it is involved in immune system processes as well as the synthesis of collagen, insulin, elastin, glucagon and haemoglobin.

Body injuries sustained through the day may only consist of micro fibre injuries within the muscles. These are repaired during stage 4 of sleep (the deepest stage of sleep) when growth hormone is released. For those with Fibromyalgia, sleep is disturbed and these repairs do not take place, giving rise to continually aching muscles. The disturbed sleep also gives rise to chronic fatigue in these individuals.

Arginine and Reproduction
Men consuming arginine as a food supplement have been able to have sperm count and motility improved where there was previously poor sperm count and activity.