NITRIC OXIDE and Health

Nitric oxide (NO) is one of the critical components of the vasculature, regulating key signaling pathways in health. In macrovessels, NO functions to suppress cell inflammation as well as adhesion. In this way, it inhibits thrombosis and promotes blood flow. It also functions to limit vessel constriction and vessel wall remodeling. In microvessels and particularly capillaries, NO, along with growth factors, is important in promoting new vessel formation, a process termed angiogenesis. With age and cardiovascular disease, animal and human studies confirm that NO is dysregulated at multiple levels including decreased production, decreased tissue half-life, and decreased potency. NO has also been implicated in diseases that are related to neurotransmission and cancer although it is likely that these processes involve NO at higher concentrations and from nonvascular cell sources. There are Two pathways for endogenous(produced by the human body) nitric oxide (NO) production. The L-arginine NO pathway can be enhanced through regular exercise, which becomes dysfunctional with age. The dietary pathway through reduction of nitrate and nitrite is not affected by age but is dependent on specific foods and diets. Both systems work lock step to maintain NO homeostasis

Benefits of NO:

Nitric oxide supplementation improves cardiac health, enhances performance during exercise, reduces high blood pressure during pregnancy, reduces ED and improves healing processes and respiratory response.

Foods to increase NO:

Since nitrates can be converted into healthy nitric oxide, eating foods high in natural nitrates can help one enhance nitric oxide levels quite easily. These ten foods are Spinach,  Bok Choy, Carrots, Beets, Mustard Greens, Coleslaw, Broccoli, Eggplant, Gourd, Garlic and Citrus ( Oranges, Grapefruit and Lemons).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRmBABJIpgc&t=29s

Author

Paddy Kalish OD, JD and B.Arch