Haven’t heard of nitric oxide? No, it’s not what you get at the dentist! (That’s nitrous oxide.) Nitric oxide (N-O) is extremely important to your health. In fact, its discovery several decades ago led to three U.S. scientists being awarded the Nobel Prize. Since then, N-O has become one of the most heavily researched molecules because of its crucial role in the physiology of humans and other living creatures. In fact, the president of the American Heart Association told the New York Times, “the discovery of Nitric Oxide and its function is one of the most important in the history of cardiovascular medicine.” Read on to learn more about N-O, including what it is, what it does, how it impacts your wellbeing, and what you can do to ensure you have healthy levels of N-O.
What is Nitric Oxide?
N-O regulates the intracellular availability of oxygen in your body, making it critical for proper mitochondrial functioning. Oxygen availability impacts many systems of your body, from the circulatory system (including cardiovascular health and exercise performance) to skin health to mood. N-O provides a protective function against age- and lifestyle-related deterioration. Many medical issues such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic problems, and cognitive degeneration have been linked to loss of this single molecule. Healthy levels of N-O increase blood flow to all parts of your body, keeping organs and tissues healthy, helping with cellular restoration and regeneration, and improving absorption of nutrients and vitamins.
Nitric oxide has been studied extensively, and its applications are ever-widening. Peer-reviewed studies in scientific and medical journals have demonstrated that N-O plays a role in a wide range of the body’s functions, and has potential treatment applications in many areas. Researchers have shown that N-O promotes wound healing, helps facilitate sleep, aids in modulating blood pressure, improves exercise performance, and regulates hair follicle activity. In research studies, N-O has shown potential for treating diseases and medical issues including sleep apnea, stroke, erectile dysfunction, Raynaud’s syndrome, depression, gastroparesis, and glaucoma.
Another clarification: Nitric oxide is not the same as nitroglycerin, which is sometimes prescribed as an oral medication to help with chest pain. While these are similar in effect, the mechanism of activation is entirely different. Nitroglycerin requires activation by a number of enzymes. While it is helpful for acute treatment — a fix for an immediate issue — in the long term, patients develop a tolerance to nitroglycerin, rendering it ineffective.
What Diseases are Associated with Nitric Oxide?
As all of this research implies, N-O is an important factor in many of the body’s organs and systems. A decreased level of N-O is sometimes pointed to as the earliest event in the onset and progression of a number of diseases. This includes cardiovascular disease, the #1 cause of death for both men and women in the U.S. Without proper circulation — which N-O is key in promoting — nutrients and oxygen will not be efficiently delivered within your body. This inefficiency can start a domino effect of dysfunction in many organ systems. In particular, it impacts the cardiovascular system. This can lead to serious issues including heart attack and stroke.
Levels of N-O naturally decrease as we age. In fact, studies have shown that beginning around age 25 we lose 10-12% of our capacity to produce N-O per decade. By age 40, most adults have lost around 50% of their N-O production. Lifestyle choices made starting around this time can affect the rate of N-O loss, either speeding it up or slowing it down. Unsurprisingly, exercise, proper nutrition, stress reduction, and adequate sleep can help support N-O production. With everything most people have going on though — between work and home, friends and family, and a myriad of other obligations — maintaining that kind of lifestyle isn’t always easy. One easy step you can take to support N-O levels: Eat your veggies! Beets and deep green, leafy vegetables (think spinach and kale) are best for helping your body boost N-O production.
How Can I Know My Nitric Oxide Levels?
N-O levels can actually be tested quite simply, and evaluated almost instantly, with diagnostic salivary indicatory strips. Research has demonstrated that plasma nitrite reflects changes in N-O production, and can provide an accurate measurement of patients at risk for conditions related to declining levels of N-O. Plasma nitrite levels progressively decrease a cardiovascular risk increases, indicating a decrease in N-O production. Nitrite also represents an important storage form of N-O in blood. Most molecules present in plasma can also be detected in saliva, allowing for a simple, painless test that can measure even tiny concentrations of biologically active substances like nitrite. The test is also helpful because it can be taken again and again over time to help assess the effects of lifestyle changes, including exercise programs, dietary changes, and supplementation.
Can I Take an N-O Supplement?
To bolster N-O levels, Rejuvé recommends testing levels regularly, and supporting healthy N-O levels with the supplement Neo40. Neo40 can be taken orally on daily basis without the body developing a tolerance for it. It was developed after years of research, combining modern nutraceutical development with traditional Chinese medicine. Two particular plant sources common in Chinese botanical medicine, Hawthorn berry and beetroot, proved especially helpful to N-O bioactivity.
Neo40 works in two phases. It has an immediate action — when the lozenge dissolves in saliva, the rapid production of N-O gas begins. But Neo40 also has a longer-term effect. It provides the nutrients, substrates, and cofactors your body needs to restore its own N-O production in the blood vessels. Neo40 has been clinically tested and shown to be safe and effective for restoring N-O production. In fact, within just 2 weeks of taking Neo40 twice daily, improvement in endothelial function is significant enough to produce changes that are visible via thermography. Reducing stress, exercising consistently, and making sure there are leafy green veggies in your diet can all help boost the efficacy of Neo40.
Are There Additional Benefits from N-O?
There is little doubt that keeping up N-O production levels has important effects on age-related diseases, including significant cardiovascular issues. N-O is the single most important molecule for maintaining proper circulation and keeping arteries young and flexible. But the benefits extend far beyond that: N-O has a protective effect against many age-related issues, wound healing, athletic endurance, mental acuity and focus, and sexual performance. Patients have also reported reduced blood pressure, lower levels of triglycerides, reduced inflammation, increased energy, improved respiratory function for asthmatics, anxiety relief, improved sleep, and faster healing with less scarring.
With so many potential benefits, and such a simple test, what are you waiting for? Contact Rejuvé today to learn more about nitric oxide testing and supplements!
