What is nitric oxide?
Many of the non-prescription supplements, as well as the prescription drugs to help with erectile dysfunction and increased libido and energy, are designed to increase the production of nitric oxide. Other supplements, for increased workout energy and recovery, also promote the same thing. So, what exactly is nitric oxide, and what does it do?
Nitric oxide is really very simple – literally. It is a simple compound molecule, an odorless, colorless gas, consisting of one part nitrogen and one part oxygen, written as NO in chemical terms. Your body produces it naturally from both amino acids and foods high in nitrates and antioxidants. It is an essential component of overall health, and especially blood vessel health, as it controls blood flow throughout the body.
What does nitric oxide do?
Nitric oxide is involved in many cell processes. Its most important function is vasodilation, meaning it relaxes the inner muscles of the blood vessels, causing them to widen and increase circulation. The resulting increased blood flow lowers blood pressure and helps increase the delivery of nutrients and oxygen. It is also critical to the function of many cell types associated with helping immunity and inflammation. A limited capacity to produce nitric oxide is associated with heart disease, diabetes, and erectile dysfunction.
Some of the benefits associated with increased nitric oxide include:
• Exercise performance & recovery
Widening of the blood vessels can enhance blood flow to the muscles and have a positive effect on physical activity, resulting in stronger, more effective workouts and shorter recovery times. It may also decrease muscle soreness.
• Lowers high blood pressure
While nitric oxide can lower blood pressure, it is believed that many people with high blood pressure are not able to effectively use the nitric oxide their body produces naturally. This has led to research into the benefits of compounds found in certain fruits and vegetables. Increasing nitric oxide for people with high blood pressure has been seen as most effective when the increase is obtained through a nitrate- and flavonoid-rich diet.
• May help with type 2 diabetes
People with type 2 diabetes may have compromised natural nitric oxide production. They generally have poor blood vessel health which can be prone to things like high blood pressure, kidney disease and heart disease. Increasing nitric oxide may help to reduce insulin levels and slow the progression of the disease. More research is needed.
• Helps immunity and inflammation
In addition to its vascular benefits, nitric oxide is also a gas transmitter, or signaling toxic defense molecule, involved in the immune responses to many bacterial and viral infections.
It regulates the functional activity, growth and death of many immune and inflammatory cell types including macrophages, T lymphocytes, antigen-presenting cells, mast cells, neutrophils and natural killer cells.
It regulates the functional activity, growth and death of many immune and inflammatory cell types including macrophages, T lymphocytes, antigen-presenting cells, mast cells, neutrophils and natural killer cells.
• Helps erectile dysfunction (ED)
Erectile dysfunction is the inability to maintain an erection long enough or firm enough for satisfactory sexual intercourse. Nitric oxide is believed to the main neurovascular and chemical transmitter erectile function. It causes the muscles in the penis to relax, which allows the chambers in the penile tissue to fill with blood and become hard.
• Other additional benefits
Lower cholesterol – reduced pain and swelling from arthritis – blood clot prevention – protect from skin damage – reduce risk of dementia.
Food sources for nitric oxide
Foods rich in the amino acids L-arginine and L-citrulline will help in the process of synthesizing more nitric oxide. L-arginine is naturally found in red meat, dairy products, poultry, and fish. And L-citrulline is found in meat, nuts, legumes, and especially watermelon (after which the name “citrulline” was derived).
Additionally, nitrate-rich vegetables will also increase nitric oxide. This includes: celery, beets, spinach, arugula, kale, lettuce and carrots.
How is nitric oxide produced?
Nitric oxide is produced from by a metabolic process involving certain amino acid compounds that are present naturally in the body, and also from the conversion of certain foods in the diet. The amino acids responsible for producing nitric oxide are L-arginine and L-citrulline. L-citrulline is made naturally in the internal organs, namely kidneys and intestines, and the body liver) converts it to L-arginine. L-arginine is also produced naturally in the body on its own. The body also makes L-arginine from certain foods. L-arginine then synthesizes nitric acid through a process involving enzymes.
Other nitric oxide boosters
You can also increase your nitric oxide levels naturally through exercise, antioxidants and supplements.
• Exercise
The endothelium is the thin layer of cells that line the blood vessels. They are the cells that produce nitric oxide, keeping the blood vessels healthy. Exercise improves endothelial function and increases the body’s natural production of nitric oxide. Insufficient nitric oxide production results in endothelial dysfunction, which can lead to high blood pressure, atherosclerosis and other risk factors for heart disease.
• Antioxidants
Because nitric oxide is an unstable molecule, it breaks down quickly in the bloodstream and must be constantly replenished. Consuming antioxidants increases its stability and limits the breakdown by neutralizing free radicals, which shorten the life of nitric oxide. While antioxidants are found in all foods, they are most plentiful in those of plant origin, such as fruits, nuts, vegetables, seeds and grains. Specifically, vitamin C, Vitamin E, polyphenols and glutathione are beneficial antioxidant sources. Polyphenols are micronutrients, with berries, nuts, dark chocolate and olive oil being rich sources of them. Glutathione is known as “the mother of all antioxidants”. It is found in many foods, but is especially high in asparagus, avocados, spinach and okra. It is the main antioxidant detoxifier of every cell in the body.
• Supplements
One of the most popular supplement categories are those that increase nitric oxide. The
supplements themselves don’t contain nitric oxide, but they contain the compounds that the body
uses to make nitric oxide. The two supplements designed for this are the previously referred to
amino acids, L-arginine and L-citrulline. Enough L-arginine is generally provided by the body
synthesizing it from dietary sources. When L-arginine is converted to nitric oxide, L-citrulline is
produced as a byproduct. L-citrulline is then recycled back to L-arginine and increases the body’s
natural production of nitric oxide. Because a large percentage of L-arginine is broken down
before reaching your bloodstream, supplementing with L-citrulline increases levels of L-arginine
more than supplementing with L-arginine by itself does.
Additional supplements
Several compounds used in Riize oral dissolving strips are also known to increase nitric oxide
production
• Caffeine
While caffeine can obviously be found in a multitude of products, it is also one of the ingredients
in the Riize Energy strips, designed to boost energy, mental clarity and focus.
Caffeine helps increase vasodilation, or widening of blood vessels through nitric
oxide production.
• L-theanine
L-theanine is another ingredient in Riize Energy strips, and also
in Riize Sleep strips. It works much the same as caffeine,
augmenting the process of nitric oxide in the inner wall cells of
the blood vessels. In the Riize Sleep strips, it is balanced with melatonin and
valerian root.
• Fenugreek
Fenugreek is one of the ingredients in Riize Xtra strips, designed to enhance libido
and vitality. In addition to boosting testosterone, it also decreases oxidative stress
by helping increase nitric oxide production.
• Ashwagandha
This is another ingredient in the Riize Xtra oral dissolving strip. It increases nitric oxide production by regulating blood flow and pressure of the arterial system.
• Oxytocin
Oxytocin is part of the compounds that make up both Riize Max oral strips for ED, and Riize Pinks, oral strips for women’s libido. Oxytocin stimulates the enzyme responsible for
synthesizing nitric oxide, thus increasing nitric oxide levels
*Riize Max and Riize Pinks are only available by prescription through the RiizeHealth.com telemedicine platform.
Nitric oxide benefits are clear
From boosting exercise performance and energy, to improved blood pressure and cardiovascular health, immunity and anti-inflammatory benefits, to helping with erectile dysfunction, the reasons to maintain optimal nitric oxide production are obvious. It is an amazing process that the body does on its own, and can always be enhanced through overall healthy habits – diet, hydration and sleep.
SOURCES
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8109295/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1567576901000868
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/nitric-oxide-supplements
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7718584/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/how-to-increase-nitric-oxide
https://www.webmd.com/diet/healthy-foods-nitric-oxide
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326381
https://www.medicinenet.com/can_nitric_oxide_reverse_erectile_dysfunction/article.htm
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/l-arginine/faq-20058052
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJM199312303292706
