The Claim

In late-pregnant Yili mares, a daily dose of 30 grams of L-citrulline results in the highest composite health score across nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, hormone levels, and gut microbiota compared to 15 g/d and 45 g/d doses, demonstrating a non-linear, optimal dose-response relationship.

Source: The Effects of L-Citrulline on the Apparent Digestion and Metabolism of Nutrients, Blood Hormone Levels, Amino Acid Metabolism and the Diversity of Faecal Microbiota in Mares in the Later Stage of Pregnancy

What the research says

Supports is higher

Support is ahead, but a single strong opposing study can change this.

Supports
19score
Challenges
0score

These are independent scores, not a percentage. Higher-grade studies count more, so a single strong opposing study can outweigh several weaker ones.

Quantitative
1 study reviewed
In plain English

In late-pregnant Yili mares, 30 grams of L-citrulline per day leads to the best overall health score based on nutrient digestion, antioxidant levels, hormone concentrations, and gut bacteria, compared to 15 grams or 45 grams per day.

See the scientific wording

In late-pregnant Yili mares, a daily dose of 30 grams of L-citrulline produces the highest composite health score across multiple physiological domains—including nutrient digestibility, antioxidant status, hormone levels, and gut microbiota—outperforming 15 g/d and 45 g/d doses, indicating a non-linear, optimal dose-response relationship.

Why this might work

L-citrulline is absorbed and turned into arginine, which makes nitric oxide that opens blood vessels and reduces cell damage. This improves blood flow to the placenta and liver, helping the body make more pregnancy hormones and detoxify waste. At the same time, L-citrulline feeds beneficial gut bacteria that break down fiber better, producing energy and helping recycle nitrogen. Together, these processes boost nutrient use, lower oxidative stress, and balance hormones, with 30 grams being the exact amount that optimizes all these effects.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: The Effects of L-Citrulline on the Apparent Digestion and Metabolism of Nutrients, Blood Hormone Levels, Amino Acid Metabolism and the Diversity of Faecal Microbiota in Mares in the Later Stage of Pregnancy

    For pregnant horses in their last months, giving them 30 grams of L-citrulline every day made them healthier in several ways—better digestion, less stress, more pregnancy hormones, and better gut bacteria—than giving them less or more. So 30 grams is the sweet spot.

Score breakdown, mechanism chain, raw evidence, ideal studies needed & 1 supporting studies

Fit Body Science verdict — we translate health claims into clear verdicts backed by peer-reviewed research.

Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making health decisions.