Various nitric oxide supplements are available on the market, but why is nitric oxide important in the body? Learn about its function and benefits here.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a natural compound that plays an essential role in cell metabolism, vasodilation, and coordinating tissue energy demand with supply. The body naturally produces it through a conversion process involving dietary nitrates and vitamin C.
As a vasodilator, it helps relax your blood vessels, which results in better blood flow as well as oxygen delivery. Furthermore, this increase in circulation also helps to lower blood pressure levels.
Increasing Your Nitric Oxide Levels
Even though the body naturally produces nitric oxide, you can also enhance its production through diet and supplementation. Foods that increase NO levels include beets, leafy greens, garlic, nuts and seeds, citrus fruits, and cocoa.
NO supplements also help increase nitric oxide production, which then helps those with high blood pressure (also known as hypertension). In fact, some studies suggest that people with hypertension have an impaired ability to use nitric oxide.
Nitric Oxide Benefits
Due to its various functions, nitric oxide can provide several health benefits such as lowering blood pressure and improving wound healing. Its properties may also help boost exercise performance by delivering blood, oxygen, and nutrients to the muscles that need them.
In addition to these heart and exercise benefits, nitric oxide also helps to maintain your brain health. Through its functions, nitric oxide can improve circulation to the brain and possibly decrease inflammation, which improves cognitive ability.
Low Nitric Oxide Symptoms
Even though the body naturally produces nitric oxide, certain factors can affect your NO levels. For example, your body loses its ability to make NO efficiently as you start aging (especially in advanced age).
If you suspect you may be experiencing nitric oxide deficiency, then pay attention to certain symptoms. For instance, signs like depression, poor vision, fatigue, hypertension, and memory loss may all be pointing to nitric oxide deficiency.
Nitric Oxide and Your Body
Nitric oxide is typically a harmless compound that will benefit your health, but high levels may cause certain side effects. If you have high nitric oxide levels, you may experience headaches. However, if you have a neurodegenerative disease like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s, high NO levels may indicate damage on a cellular level.
Taking Supplements
If you’re looking to boost your circulation, blood pressure health, exercise performance, and more, then taking nitric oxide supplements may help. They’re usually sold as l-arginine supplements and each supplement provides its own set of benefits. L-arginine is an amino acid that works as a precursor to nitric oxide (meaning that it converts into NO).
A top-rated nitric oxide supplement that you may consider is L-arginine Plus. Its ingredients provide support for your blood flow, blood pressure, cholesterol, and more. To learn more about it, read our L-arginine Plus review and see if it fits your needs.