What’s the Deal with Nitric Oxide?

You’ve probably heard of nitric oxide, but what is it really?

I’ll answer that question and more in this video.

Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that plays many key roles in the body, including boosting cardiovascular health, immunity, and regulating nervous system function.

Nitric Oxide Therapy – https://www.stopfeelingold.com/no.pdf

It’s also important for blood vessel dilation and healthy skin. Nitric oxide can be created by some foods or supplements like vitamin B3 and L-arginine.

The following are a few important questions concerning nitric oxide.

Question – How does nitric oxide affect the heart and blood vessels?

Nitric oxide is critical for maintaining healthy blood vessels and cardiovascular health. A lack of Nitric oxide can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), or a stroke. It also reduces platelet aggregation – which means that it helps prevent dangerous clots from forming in your body’s veins or arteries.

Nitric oxide may even help regulate functions like heartbeat and breathing by relaxing smooth muscle cells found in our lungs when we inhale oxygen-enriched air during exercise.

Question – What’s the connection between nitric oxide and erectile dysfunction?

As a man’s body ages, erectile dysfunction becomes more and more common. Erectile dysfunction is often a sign of other health issues that need to be addressed such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

Nitric oxide helps to dilate blood vessels, which can prevent erectile dysfunction. Nitric oxide also helps to break down cholesterol and plaque accumulation – a common cause of erectile dysfunction in men over the age of 40.

Question – What does nitric oxide do in the brain?

Nitric oxide is a gas that plays important roles in many different bodily processes. The brain is no exception to this rule. In fact, nitric oxide has been found to play an integral role in the way our brains function.

In particular, scientists have discovered that when they administer nitric oxide donors (like L-arginine) and nitric oxide precursor drugs (such as glyceryl trinitrate), these substances can increase blood flow to certain parts of the brain by relaxing vascular smooth muscle cells. This can reverse some of the effects of aging on the brain by restoring cognitive functions and improving memory recall.

Question – How does nitric oxide affect the immune system?

Nitric oxide is a molecule that regulates the immune system by increasing the production of T-cells. These cells are responsible for fighting off infections and viruses, as well as other bacteria.

Nitric oxide plays an important role in battling bacterial infection because it increases activity within white blood cells called macrophages. Macrophages have two major functions: engulfing microbes and releasing reactive oxygen to kill them.

Question – What foods boost nitric oxide?

Beets.

A common misconception about beetroot is that it’s only good for your colon. The truth however, is that beets are actually excellent for nitric oxide production and have proven to improve erectile function in men.

In fact: A study done by the National Institute of Health found a significant increase in blood flow after participants drank beet juice – a major indicator of nitric oxide levels! Nitric Oxide has been shown to strengthen artery walls and reduce high blood pressure.

So don’t limit yourself to just eating beets as a vegetable – add them into your diet also as a supplement!

Garlic.

A recent study on nitric oxide production found that garlic causes a significant increase in NO2-N concentration (NO2-N is the active form of Nitric Oxide) Nitric oxide plays an important role in regulating blood flow by relaxing smooth muscle cells within the walls of your arteries – this helps to keep your vessels open so they can transport oxygen-rich blood throughout your body.

Carrots.

Carrots are one of the vegetables with highest nitrate content. Nitrates are converted into nitrites in our saliva which then convert into nitric oxide when it reacts with oxygen from our lungsn or stomach acid within minutes after we chew them. Nitric oxide then diffuses to other cells where it causes them to release their own nitric oxide gas which amplifies its effects throughout your entire body.

Dark Chocolate.

Recent studies show that dark chocolate contains polyphenols called catechins, which increase nitric oxide production by acting on certain enzymes involved in its synthesis .

Leafy Greens.

A study published in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that nitric oxide production is increased by leafy greens because they have nitrates which convert into nitric oxide. This helps improve blood flow to all parts of your body including muscles, organs, skin and even the penis! This means leafy greens are a healthy food choice for men!

Citrus Fruits.

A study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine found that eating a diet rich in vitamin C may increase nitric oxide production, which can help men with erectile dysfunction. The American Urological Association’s guidelines for treating erectile dysfunction, recommend consuming foods high in vitamin C like citrus fruits, to see if they have any effect on sexual function.

Pomegranate.

Pomegranate is a great fruit for nitric oxide production because it contains Quercetin, an antioxidant that increases the secretion of nitric oxide from the cells. Quercetin also fights off free radicals which can damage cells in your body including those that produce nitric oxide.

Nuts and Seeds.

Nuts and seeds are good for nitric oxide production because they’re high in arginine, an amino acid that’s essential to the production of this gas. The higher your levels of nitric oxide, the better circulation and more oxygen getting delivered to all body parts while also carrying away toxins.

Conclusion

In conclusion, nitric oxide is a simple molecule, but it plays many important roles in the body. It’s essential for normal blood flow and heart function. It also helps prevent damage to brain cells and supports immune system health.

Many people don’t get enough of this vital nutrient, which can lead to serious health problems over time.

By eating more foods that contain nitrates or citrulline (which your body converts into nitric oxide), you can boost your levels of this potent natural relaxant. And you’ll enjoy all sorts of other benefits along the way! These include better exercise performance, improved erectile dysfunction symptoms, reduced inflammation and lower risk for heart disease and stroke.

Questions and Answer From Around The Web

Does vitamin C increase nitric oxide?

Abstract. In cultured endothelial cells” the antioxidantL-ascorbic acid (vitamin C)” increases nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme activity via chemical stabilization of tetrahydrobiopterin. Our objective was to determine the effect of vitamin C on NOS function and tetrahydrobiopterin metabolism in vivo.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12522125/ Long-term vitamin C treatment increases vascular – PubMed – NIH”

What produces nitric oxide in the human body?

The body synthesizes nitric oxide from the amino acid L-arginine by means of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. The main site of the molecule’s synthesis is the inner layer of blood vessels though the molecule is also produced by other types of cells. https://www.britannica.com/science/nitric-oxide “”nitric oxide | Uses” Facts

Does coffee increase nitric oxide?

Caffeine is a xanthine with various effects and mechanisms of action in vascular tissue. In endothelial cells it increases intracellular calcium stimulating the production of nitric oxide through the expression of the endothelial nitric oxide synthase enzyme. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003984/ Caffeine’s Vascular Mechanisms of Action – NCBI – NIH

What does nitric oxide do for the heart?

Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and also improves circulation. Some evidence shows that arginine may help improve blood flow in the arteries of the heart. That may improve symptoms of clogged arteries chest pain or angina and coronary artery disease.
https://www.webmd.com/heart/arginine-heart-benefits-and-side-effects Arginine (L-arginine): Heart Benefits and Side Effects – WebMD”

Does broccoli have nitric oxide?

A hundred gram serving of broccoli contains about 39.5 milligrams of nitrates that can be converted into nitric oxide. https://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-foods-nitric-oxide 10 Healthy Foods to Boost Nitric Oxide and Why You Need It – WebMD”

How nitric oxide is produced in the body?

The body synthesizes nitric oxide from the amino acid L-arginine by means of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase. The main site of the molecule’s synthesis is the inner layer of blood vessels the endothelium though the molecule is also produced by other types of cells. https://www.britannica.com/science/nitric-oxide “”nitric oxide | Uses Facts

What drinks have nitric oxide?

Four Drinks That Will Directly Boost Nitric Oxide Beetroot Juice. Beetroot is one of the best sources of nitrates in food which converts to nitric oxide in your body. Red Spinach Juice. Spinach touts many health benefits but red spinach packs an extra punch with very high dietary nitrate content. … Celery and Nitric Oxide. … Greens Juice with Arugula. https://nutrigardens.com/blogs/blog/four-drinks-that-will-directly-boost-nitric-oxide Four Drinks That Will Directly Boost Nitric Oxide – NutriGardens”

How do you check nitric oxide levels?

Also known as the fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) test. this test measures the level of nitric oxide gas in an exhaled sample of your breath. This sample is collected by having you breathe slowly and steadily into a mouthpiece that’s attached to a machine that performs the measurement.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/nitric-oxide-test/about/pac-20384952 Nitric oxide test for asthma – Mayo Clinic”

Does nitric oxide help anxiety?

Nitric Oxide helps reduce anxiety and depression in part because it reduces inflammation and oxidative stress. It also restores circulation and supports healthy blood pressure which is often elevated in people under stress and with chronic PTSD thus becoming another risk factor for vascular dementia.
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/rhythms-recovery/202012/how-nitric-oxide-helps-mental-health-and-covid-19-response How Nitric Oxide Helps Mental Health and COVID-19 Response

Does nitric oxide help with inflammation?

Nitric oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule that plays a key role in the pathogenesis of inflammation. It gives an anti-inflammatory effect under normal physiological conditions. On the other hand NO is considered as a pro-inflammatory mediator that induces inflammation due to over production in abnormal situations.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18236016/ Role of nitric oxide in inflammatory diseases – PubMed”

Does nitric oxide decrease with age?

Studies in experimental models and even humans reveal that constitutive production of nitric oxide (NO) is reduced with aging and this circumstance may be relevant to a number of diseases that plague the aging population. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3390088/ Nitric oxide and geriatrics: Implications in diagnostics and treatment