Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Ornithine is a non-proteinogenic amino acid involved in the urea cycle, which helps remove ammonia from the body, a byproduct of protein metabolism. Its use as an athletic and exercise aid is based on the hypothesis that it may reduce fatigue and improve exercise performance by accelerating ammonia clearance and supporting anabolic processes. Several small-scale human studies have investigated the effects of ornithine supplementation on exercise performance, fatigue, and recovery. Some studies have found that oral ornithine supplementation (often combined with arginine or aspartate) can reduce perceived fatigue in prolonged exercise and possibly improve recovery time. However, these effects are generally modest, and many studies suffer from small sample sizes, lack of placebo controls, or inconsistent dosing regimens.

Systematic reviews and larger clinical trials have not consistently confirmed substantial benefits of ornithine supplementation for athletic performance or exercise recovery in healthy adults. The evidence base is therefore limited and not robust, with most authoritative bodies considering the support to be weak or inconclusive. Nonetheless, ornithine continues to be marketed in some sports supplements, largely due to its theoretical role in ammonia detoxification and anecdotal reports. In summary, there is some scientific investigation of ornithine for athletic and exercise support, but the overall evidence is limited and does not strongly justify its widespread use for this purpose.

More about Ornithine
More about Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other ingredients used for Athletic and Exercise Aids

Other health conditions supported by Ornithine

Products containing Ornithine