The Claim

Oral citrulline supplementation at 0.18 g/kg/day for 7 days has no effect on whole-body protein synthesis (measured by non-oxidative leucine disposal), leucine oxidation, or leucine appearance rate in adults with short bowel syndrome who have near-normal baseline citrulline levels and are in the late phase of intestinal adaptation.

Source: Effect of oral citrulline supplementation on whole body protein metabolism in adult patients with short bowel syndrome: A pilot, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study.

What the research says

Supports is higher

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

Supports
58score
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

Taking 0.18 grams of citrulline per kilogram of body weight daily for seven days does not change how the body uses leucine to build protein, break down leucine for energy, or release leucine into the bloodstream in adults with short bowel syndrome who have normal citrulline levels and are in the later stage of gut recovery.

See the scientific wording

Oral citrulline supplementation at 0.18 g/kg/day for 7 days does not alter whole-body protein synthesis, as measured by non-oxidative leucine disposal, or leucine oxidation and appearance rate in adults with short bowel syndrome who have near-normal baseline citrulline levels and are in the late phase of intestinal adaptation.

Why this might work

The body converts citrulline into arginine, but when citrulline levels are already normal, adding more does not change how much arginine is made or how the body uses leucine for building or burning protein.

Verified mechanismbased on 1 study

What the research says

1 study

  1. Study: Effect of oral citrulline supplementation on whole body protein metabolism in adult patients with short bowel syndrome: A pilot, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study.

    This study gave people with a short intestine a daily citrulline pill for a week and found it didn’t change how their body built or broke down protein — just like the claim said. It only worked for people who were very low in citrulline to begin with, but these people weren’t the focus of the claim.

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.