It is found in high concentrations in the skin and connective tissue, making it  helpful in healing and repair of damaged tissue. 

Arginine is important for muscle metabolism. It helps to maintain a proper  nitrogen balance by acting as a vehicle for transportation and storage, in aiding in excretion of excess nitrogen. Studies have shown that it also reduces nitrogen losses in people that have undergone surgery, and improve the function of cells in the lymphatic tissue. This amino acid aids in weight loss because it facilitates an increase in muscle mass and a reduction of body fat. It is also involved in a variety of enzymes and hormones. It aids in stimulating the pancreas to release insulin, is a component of the pituitary hormone vasopressin, and assists in the release of growth hormones. Because arginine is a component of collagen and aids in building new bone and tendon cells, it can be good for arthritis and connective tissue disorders. 

Scar tissue that forms during wound healing is made up of collagen, which is rich in arginine. 

A variety of functions, including insulin production, glucose tolerance, and liver lipid metabolism, are impaired if the body is deficient in arginine.