Arginine vs Citrulline: Which Boosts Nitric Oxide Better?

Key Takeaways: Why Citrulline Beats Arginine

1. Citrulline delivers over 90% bioavailability, while arginine stays under 20%, since citrulline avoids gut and liver breakdown.
2. Citrulline raises plasma arginine levels 2 to 3 times higher than arginine, which keeps nitric oxide production elevated for stronger pumps.
3. Clinical studies report 53% more reps to failure, 40% less soreness, and 12% better endurance with citrulline use.
4. Citrulline offers better GI tolerance, peaks in 1 to 2 hours, and supports blood pressure and cognitive function.
5. Choose Bucked Up’s clinically dosed L-Citrulline to upgrade pumps, endurance, and recovery in every training session.

Arginine vs Citrulline: Direct Performance Comparison

L-citrulline demonstrated superior bioavailability compared to L-arginine and more effectively increased plasma arginine concentrations. Research consistently shows citrulline outperforming arginine across every major performance metric. Studies using 8 grams of citrulline malate report up to 53% more repetitions to muscular failure compared to placebo. The verdict stays clear and consistent: citrulline dominates arginine for nitric oxide support.

Bucked Up uses clinical dosing of science-backed ingredients, including Citrulline Malate and Pure L-Citrulline. Choose your ideal L-Citrulline option and push toward peak performance.

How Citrulline Absorption Outclasses Arginine

Citrulline absorbs better than arginine because it follows a more efficient metabolic pathway. L-Citrulline is subject only to systemic metabolism, making it a more effective precursor to L-arginine compared to direct L-arginine supplementation. Arginine encounters rapid breakdown by arginase enzymes in the gut and liver during first-pass metabolism. This early breakdown drops arginine bioavailability below 20%, which explains why arginine supplements often underdeliver.

Citrulline avoids this metabolic roadblock. After absorption in the small intestine, citrulline travels to the kidneys, where argininosuccinate synthase and lyase convert it to arginine. This kidney-based conversion skips liver degradation and produces plasma arginine levels 2 to 3 times higher than direct arginine supplementation. Peak plasma levels appear within 0.7 to 2 hours and support steady nitric oxide production through your entire workout.

Nitric Oxide Production: Citrulline as the Stronger Driver

Citrulline supports nitric oxide production more effectively than arginine by feeding the nitric oxide synthase pathway. Exercise training stimulates NO production through both L-arginine/NOS-dependent (oxygen-dependent) and nitrate-nitrite-NO (oxygen-independent) pathways. Citrulline’s superior arginine delivery keeps more substrate available for nitric oxide synthase enzymes.

Clinical trials back up citrulline’s nitric oxide advantage. Combined L-arginine and citrulline-malate supplementation effects on exercise performance show enhanced aerobic capacity and reduced perceived exertion. Citrulline maintains elevated arginine levels and nitric oxide production throughout longer training sessions, while direct arginine spikes quickly and then drops off.

Real-World Results: Pumps, Performance, and Recovery

Citrulline delivers noticeable performance benefits that go far beyond lab data. Research shows 8 grams of citrulline malate can produce 53% more repetitions to muscular failure compared to placebo. Ten days of L-citrulline at 100 mg·kg−1 per day improved tissue oxygenation index, which suggests better oxygen delivery to muscle microvasculature.

Additional benefits include:

1. Reduced Muscle Soreness: 40% reduction in delayed onset muscle soreness two days after training.
2. Blood Pressure Support: Both L-citrulline and L-arginine were associated with moderate blood pressure reductions, especially at daily doses ≥6 g.
3. Enhanced Endurance: 12% improvement in time to exhaustion during cycling protocols.
4. Cognitive Benefits: Improved cerebral blood flow that supports focus and mental clarity.

Bucked Up Citrulline Stacks for Bigger Pumps and More NO

Bucked Up offers transparent, clinically dosed citrulline formulas that target real training outcomes. Each product focuses on a specific style of performance.

Bucked Up Pre-Workout: Delivers 6,000 mg Citrulline Malate (2:1) with Astragin® to support absorption. The malate component supports the Krebs cycle for steady energy, while citrulline drives nitric oxide and pumps.

Woke AF: Uses the same 6,000 mg Citrulline Malate dose and adds 333 mg caffeine. The strong citrulline dose helps counter stimulant-related vasoconstriction and keeps blood flow high.

Mother Bucker: Features 4,000 mg Pure L-Citrulline stacked with Nitrosigine® and Hydroprime® Glycerol. This “Pump Trifecta” targets vasodilation through three separate biological pathways to create intense muscle fullness.

Customer feedback reflects these results: “Great, unflavored citrulline. I add some of this to my preworkout for amazing pumps” and “Definitely add a little scoop of this for a crazy pump.” Astragin® supports efficient uptake so the citrulline on the label reaches your muscles.

Bucked Up uses clinical dosing of science-backed ingredients, including Citrulline Malate and Pure L-Citrulline. Pick your L-Citrulline formula and build your ideal pump stack.

Citrulline Dosing, Stacking, and Safety

Effective citrulline dosing depends on your goals and the form you use. Pure L-Citrulline typically works best at 3 to 6 grams per day, while Citrulline Malate (2:1) usually needs 6 to 8 grams to match that citrulline content. Previous recommendations suggest higher continuous doses scaled to body mass over more than seven days for potential ergogenic effects.

Timing also plays a key role. Take citrulline about 60 minutes before training to align peak plasma levels with your workout. Combined oral L-citrulline and L-arginine supplementation causes a more rapid increase in plasma L-arginine levels than either amino acid alone. Bucked Up formulas use precise ingredient ratios to support this combined effect.

Citrulline also shows a favorable safety profile compared to arginine. Arginine often causes gastrointestinal distress, while citrulline usually produces only mild effects at recommended doses. People with low blood pressure should monitor how they feel, since citrulline’s vasodilatory effects can cause lightheadedness in sensitive users.

Final Verdict: Citrulline as the Go-To for Pumps and Performance

Current research strongly supports citrulline as the superior choice over arginine for pumps and performance. Its higher bioavailability and longer-lasting nitric oxide support give it a clear edge in real training scenarios. Bucked Up’s clinically dosed formulas use this advantage with transparent labels and ingredients that support absorption.

Bucked Up uses clinical dosing of science-backed ingredients, including Citrulline Malate and Pure L-Citrulline. Explore Bucked Up L-Citrulline options and support your next level of performance. Choose Bucked Up’s clinically dosed L-Citrulline to upgrade pumps, endurance, and recovery in every training session.

FAQs

Is citrulline better than arginine for nitric oxide and pumps?

Citrulline consistently outperforms arginine for nitric oxide production and muscle pumps. Citrulline bypasses first-pass liver metabolism that breaks down arginine, which results in 2 to 3 times higher plasma arginine levels. This higher bioavailability supports stronger vasodilation, better muscle pumps, and improved exercise performance. Studies show 53% more repetitions to failure with citrulline malate compared to placebo.

What is the optimal citrulline dosage for pumps and performance?

For strong pumps and performance benefits, use 6 to 8 grams of Citrulline Malate (2:1) or 3 to 6 grams of Pure L-Citrulline about 60 minutes before training. Daily doses of 6 grams or more show meaningful benefits for blood pressure and cardiovascular support. Bucked Up pre-workouts provide clinically effective doses and include Astragin® to support absorption.

Can you combine arginine and citrulline together?

Combining arginine and citrulline can create a stronger effect than either alone. The combination produces faster increases in plasma arginine levels than single-ingredient use. Bucked Up’s advanced formulas such as Mother Bucker pair Pure L-Citrulline with complementary ingredients like Nitrosigine® to support nitric oxide production through multiple pathways.

Are there any side effects or safety concerns with citrulline?

Citrulline is generally well tolerated at recommended doses. Mild gastrointestinal discomfort can appear with very high doses above 10 grams. People with low blood pressure should pay attention to how they respond, since citrulline’s vasodilatory effects may cause dizziness. Compared to arginine, citrulline usually causes fewer issues such as nausea and digestive upset.

Which Bucked Up products provide the strongest citrulline benefits?

Bucked Up offers several citrulline options tailored to different training styles. The original Bucked Up Pre-Workout supplies 6,000 mg Citrulline Malate (2:1) for balanced pump and endurance support. Woke AF delivers the same citrulline dose with higher stimulants for intense sessions. Mother Bucker includes 4,000 mg Pure L-Citrulline plus Nitrosigine® and Hydroprime® for powerful vasodilation. Pure L-Citrulline powder gives you flexible dosing for custom stacks.