The Claim

Acute ingestion of 6 g and 12 g citrulline malate produces a dose-dependent increase in serum concentrations of citrulline, arginine, and ornithine in healthy young males, with peak levels occurring at 30–60 minutes post-ingestion and significantly higher concentrations following the 12 g dose.

Source: Acute effect of citrulline malate on flow-mediated dilation and serum pharmacodynamics in healthy young males

What the research says

Supports is higher

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

Supports
68score
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

When healthy young men take 6 grams or 12 grams of citrulline malate, their blood levels of citrulline, arginine, and ornithine rise in proportion to the dose, with the highest levels reached 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion and higher levels seen with the 12-gram dose.

See the scientific wording

Acute ingestion of 6 g and 12 g citrulline malate produces a dose-dependent increase in serum concentrations of citrulline, arginine, and ornithine in healthy young males, with peak levels occurring at 30–60 minutes post-ingestion and significantly higher concentrations following the 12 g dose.

Why this might work

When citrulline malate is swallowed, it breaks down into citrulline, which enters the bloodstream. The kidneys take up citrulline and turn it into arginine and ornithine. More citrulline leads to more arginine and ornithine in the blood, and a higher dose produces even higher levels. These levels peak about half an hour to an hour after ingestion.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study
  1. Study: Acute effect of citrulline malate on flow-mediated dilation and serum pharmacodynamics in healthy young males

    When healthy young men took 6 grams or 12 grams of citrulline malate, their blood levels of citrulline, arginine, and ornithine went up — and the higher dose (12 grams) made them go up even more, within about an hour. The study directly measured this and confirmed it.

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

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