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When you hear "Nitric Oxide" (NO), your mind might jump to chemistry class or think of the similar-sounding but entirely different Nitrous Oxide (N2O), but NO is more than just a molecule—it’s a key player in how our bodies work. From helping athletes maintain their performance as they age to keeping our brains sharp, nitric oxide is a fascinating substance with profound impacts on our health.
What is Nitric Oxide and Why Does It Matter?
Nitric oxide is a gas that acts as a messenger in our bodies. It’s like a tiny communicator, ensuring that our cells and organs stay on the same page. Found everywhere from our muscles to our brain, NO plays critical roles, like helping blood vessels relax, improving circulation, and boosting communication between nerve cells in the brain.
Because it’s so versatile, scientists call NO a “double-edged sword.” It can be both helpful and harmful depending on how it’s used in the body. This dual nature has made it a hot topic in medical research, earning it the title of "Molecule of the Year" in 1992 and contributing to the Nobel Prize awarded in 1998 for its discovery.
Aging, Exercise, and Nitric Oxide
As we age, our bodies naturally slow down. This is partly due to a drop in nitric oxide levels, which impacts our ability to perform physically. Lower NO levels mean reduced blood flow and less efficient muscle function, making it harder to stay active. But here’s the catch: if you keep moving, your body can hold onto more of its NO supply, even as you grow older.
For older adults, maintaining high levels of NO can be a game-changer. It supports endurance, helps muscles recover, and keeps the heart and lungs functioning well during exercise. Scientists have even explored ways to boost NO levels with diet and supplements, offering a helping hand to those who want to stay competitive in sports or simply enjoy an active lifestyle.
Foods and Supplements That Boost Nitric Oxide
Nature has given us some incredible tools to increase NO in the body. Certain foods are packed with compounds that your body can turn into nitric oxide, such as:
- Inorganic Nitrates and Nitrites: Found in leafy greens like spinach and beets, these are fantastic for promoting NO production. Beet juice, for instance, has become a popular pre-workout drink for athletes.
- L-Arginine and L-Citrulline: These amino acids, often found in supplements, also help the body make nitric oxide. Watermelon is a natural source of L-citrulline!
- Polyphenols and Antioxidants: Think berries, dark chocolate, and green tea. These not only support NO production but also protect it from being broken down too quickly.
While the science looks promising, researchers are still figuring out the best ways to use these strategies. Some studies suggest that older adults can experience noticeable improvements in endurance and exercise performance by adding these nutrients to their diet.
Nitric Oxide and the Brain: A Messenger at Work
The benefits of NO don’t stop with the body—it’s also vital for brain health. Inside the central nervous system, NO helps nerve cells talk to each other. This communication is crucial for everything from learning and memory to regulating emotions.
Interestingly, NO is produced in the brain with the help of glutamate, the most abundant neurotransmitter. But here’s where its “double-edged sword” nature comes in: too much NO in the brain can cause problems, like nerve damage, while too little can lead to poor cell communication.
Because of this, scientists are exploring ways to fine-tune NO levels in the brain to treat neurological conditions. Imagine a future where we could manipulate NO pathways to combat diseases like Alzheimer’s or improve recovery after a brain injury. The possibilities are exciting
Why Should You Care?
Understanding nitric oxide gives us a glimpse into how our bodies work and how we can keep them functioning at their best. Whether you’re a teenager interested in sports, an adult looking to stay fit, or an elder worried about their body's natural production levels faltering. Nitric Oxide supplementation is essential for your daily health!
Best Sources of Nitric Oxide:
Luckily at FAST Supplements we have crafted specialized and specific supplements to help you boost your Nitric Oxide levels and production.
For those looking for a direct and immediate solution, our L-Arginine supplement might be the best choice for you, as L-Arginine is an amino acid which is directly tied to Nitric Oxide production.
If you prefer having a workout beverage to directly increase Nitric Oxide levels for workout performance and muscle gain, you might want to try our Nitric Shock Preworkout Drink Mix which comes in two refreshing energizing flavors of Watermelon and Fruit Punch! These are packed with amino acids, electrolytes, and vitamins to boost nitric oxide production and muscle growth along with 175mg of caffeine in each serving to allow you to push it to new heights when it comes to your training!
One more great source of the natural vitamins and minerals your body needs to boost Nitric Oxide levels can be in leafy greens and more specifically beets! Beets are a miracle vegetable packed with vitamins to help your bloodflow and regulate blood pressure, along with boosting Nitric Oxide levels! We have an organic, 100% Beetroot supplement that doesn't require you to think how you're going to incorporate beets into your diet. Just take 2 pills daily and you can rest assured that your giving your body a fantastic natural source for its nitric oxide production.
SOURCES:
Oliver M. Shannon, Tom Clifford, Douglas R. Seals, Daniel H. Craighead, Matthew J. Rossman,
Nitric oxide, aging and aerobic exercise: Sedentary individuals to Master's athletes,
Nitric Oxide, Volumes 125–126, 2022, Pages 31-39, ISSN 1089-8603,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.niox.2022.06.002.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1089860322000659)
Džoljić, E., Grbatinić, I., & Kostić, V. (2015). Why is nitric oxide important for our brain?. Functional neurology, 30(3), 159–163. https://doi.org/10.11138/fneur/2015.30.3.159