What is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric oxide, also called nitrogen monoxide, is a signaling molecule produced by the body that plays many important roles in human physiology. It helps regulate functions of the cardiovascular system, nervous system, and immune system.
Nitric oxide is produced naturally by the vascular endothelium and helps dilate blood vessels, increasing blood flow. This action reduces blood pressure and improves circulation. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that protect against various diseases.
Maintaining Nitric Oxide Levels is Key for Heart Health
One of nitric oxide's main roles is vasodilation of blood vessels. This helps lower blood pressure and allows blood to circulate more freely throughout the body. High nitric oxide levels promote good cardiovascular health in several ways:
- Reducing strain on the heart: Dilated blood vessels decrease workload on the heart, lowering risks of heart failure, heart attack, and stroke.
- Improving endothelial function: The endothelial lining of blood vessels produces nitric oxide. Healthy levels protect against endothelial dysfunction, a major risk factor for heart disease.
- Preventing atherosclerosis: Nitric oxide inhibits growth of plaque in arteries. It also prevents oxidation of LDL cholesterol, a driver of atherosclerosis.
- Lowering inflammation: Nitric oxide possesses anti-inflammatory properties that protect against inflammation in arteries and the whole circulatory system. Chronic inflammation increases heart attack and stroke risk.
Importance for Immune Function and Disease Prevention
Nitric Oxide Supplements supports immune system function and has roles in preventing or fighting various diseases:
- Fighting infections: It displays antimicrobial properties, helping white blood cells eliminate invading bacteria, viruses, fungi and other pathogens.
- Regulating blood sugar: Nitric oxide production increases insulin sensitivity, helping regulate blood glucose levels. This protects against diabetes.
- Slowing cancer growth: Some research shows nitric oxide can inhibit tumor growth by inducing cell cycle arrest or apoptosis in cancer cells.
- Reducing joint inflammation: Its anti-inflammatory actions may provide relief for arthritis and inflammatory joint diseases like rheumatoid arthritis.
How Nitric Oxide Levels Decline
While the body naturally produces nitric oxide, levels decrease with age and various lifestyle and medical factors:
- Aging: Nitric oxide production and bioavailability declines as a part of the aging process. This contributes to age-related disease risks.
- Smoking: Cigarette smoke destroys nitric oxide and impairs its actions. Smokers have poorer cardiovascular health than non-smokers.
- Diets low in nutrients: Diets lacking fruits, vegetables, nuts and healthy fats provide inadequate raw materials for nitric oxide synthesis.
- Chronic disease: Conditions like diabetes, obesity, and kidney disease impair nitric oxide signaling in the vascular system over the long term.
- Medications: Some blood pressure or blood thinning medications like ACE inhibitors may diminish nitric oxide levels as a side effect over time.
Taking Nitric Oxide Supplements
To address declining nitric oxide levels and support health, many people choose to take supplements containing natural nitric oxide precursors or donors. Common ingredients include:
- L-Arginine: This amino acid is a substrate the body uses to produce nitric oxide. It remains one of the most effective precursors.
- Pycnogenol: Extracted from French maritime pine bark, this plant flavonoid enhances nitric oxide synthesis from L-arginine.
- Arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG): A more bioavailable form of arginine that raises nitric oxide levels more effectively.
- Beetroot: Nitrate from beetroot is converted in the body to nitrite and then nitric oxide, especially during exercise when levels are needed most.
- Pomegranate: Ellagic acid and other antioxidants in pomegranates support nitric oxide pathways and cardiovascular health.
Used as a complementary therapy, nitric oxide supplements may provide multiple health benefits and offset declining production associated with various lifestyle and medical factors. Combining supplementation with a heart-healthy diet, exercise, stress management and avoiding smoking are encouraged.
Mintaining optimum nitric oxide levels is important for cardiovascular health, immune function, disease prevention and overall wellness. While the body naturally produces it, levels decline with age. Taking supplements containing potent nitric oxide precursors or boosters can support nitric oxide pathways and help address this decline. Combined with supportive lifestyle habits, nitric oxide supplementation may help promote health and reduce risks of chronic illness.
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About Author:
Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)
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