Many people don’t know much about nitric oxide or how it relates to cardiovascular health. Despite its relatively unknown presence, N.O. is actually a crucial thing for our body to produce: it keeps blood vessels flexible so that more blood can flow through them, increasing the life of your heart in the process.
What Is Nitric Oxide?
Let me give you a quick overview of the basics.
We have 50 trillion cells in our bodies. Our cells produce nitric oxide to help them communicate and survive. Nitric oxide is also what’s called a biological regulator, meaning it balances blood flow by making sure the amount of blood flowing through arteries and veins is sufficient for each cell to function properly.
Our biological regulators protect our cardiovascular system, including the heart and blood vessels, from damage, preventing age-related deterioration. These regulators maintain arterial elasticity to help keep everything in good condition.
Why Nitric Oxide Matters for Heart Health
Arterial elasticity supports normal vasodilation, which improves blood flow to all organs and increases nitric oxide production.*
As people age, their body becomes unable to produce nitric oxide as it used to. To combat this, a person must boost their production.
The best way to increase nitric oxide is to develop more endorphins and release them over a longer period of time.
5 Ways To Boost and Sustain Nitric Oxide
Here are a few tips and ideas to help you achieve your optimal nitric oxide levels:
1. Eat high-quality protein
It’s critical to include adequate protein in your diet because of how it can help in managing the health of other nutrients. One thing that you should remember is that soy foods, which contain all 9 essential amino acids, have low or no saturated fats.
2. Consume Vegetables High in Nitrates
Nitrates, when consumed, are converted into nitric oxide. It’s important to have a varied diet by consuming vegetables that have high levels of nitrates.
3. Take in Unsaturated Omega 3 Fatty Acids
Fish oil, which typically consists of two fatty acids and an antioxidant, is an important source of the omega-3 fatty acid called DHA. Research has shown that these essential nutrients can help reduce inflammation throughout the body and improve cardiovascular health.
4. Use Nitric Oxide Supplements
Nitric Oxide doesn’t exist; it’s actually a type of cell signaling molecule, which is vital for many bodily functions. That’s why nitric oxide supplements that contain nitric oxide work best when taken at night or before bedtime. Some of these supplements don’t contain nitric oxide by themselves, but rather ingredients that stimulate the production of nitric oxide in your body.
Amino acids such as L-arginine and L-citrulline are two of the most commonly used ingredients.
L-arginine and L-citrulline support nitric oxide production and blood flow by maintaining healthy function of the brain, heart, and other organs. They also have a positive effect on arteries by keeping them flexible to maintain proper blood flow.
In addition to being good for you, vitamins C and E, plus alpha lipoic acid can help promote nitric oxide production.
5. Exercise Regularly
With each distinct type of physical activity, your production of nitric oxide increases dramatically. Whether it’s walking or running, cycling or swimming, climbing stairs or just walking to work, any level of physical exertion will help you get the blood flowing to an important part of your body.
It’s important to maintain healthy levels of nitric oxide in the body. This is a vital molecule and essential to cardiovascular health. Maintain a healthy lifestyle that promotes good health.
