Nitric Oxide May Be The Most Important Supplement You Never Knew About
By: Edward G. Loniewski, DO, FACOS, FAOAO
Nitric Oxide (not nitrous oxide which is laughing gas) is one of those supplements not many people have heard about such as vitamin C or D. However, it is by far one of the most important supplements we need to provide optimal health especially for those contemplating a stem cell therapy as we shall read about below.
What is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric Oxide, abbreviated NO, naturally occurs in our body and is very important to many biochemical pathways in our bodies. These pathways include:
- Cardiovascular regulation of blood pressure
- Relaxation of important vessels of the heart
- Prevention of platelet aggregation and development of blood clots
- Neurotransmitter for cell to cell communication
- Increasing blood flow to the brain
- Improving erectile dysfunction
- Dilating lung vessels
- Regulating the control of smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal system
- Increasing blood flow to the kidneys
- Modulating t-cell immune system
It’s important to note this is nitric oxide and not the laughing gas called nitrous oxide.
Thus, there are very few systems in our body that are not dependent upon nitric oxide.
As we age, however, a naturally occurring enzyme called Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) decreases and we slowly lose the ability to convert the amino acid L-Arginine to nitric oxide. The result is a steady decline of nitric oxide in our bodies as we age and the development of specific disease states.
These effects may include:
- Hypertension
- Angina and Heart Attacks
- Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) and blood clots
- Dementia
- Erectile dysfunction
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Constipation
- Kidney failure
- Chronic infections
The above list is an accurate description of what happens as many people age. One could hypothesize that the deficiency of nitric oxide may be one of the most important causes of these problems of aging. In fact, one of the most common drugs prescribed to elderly patients include nitroglycerin tablets and Viagra™, and they work because they correct the deficiency of nitric oxide in our bodies.
We also suggest using nitric oxide supplementation for the first three months after any stem cell therapy, due to evidence that nitric oxide may have a positive effect on progenitor stem cells which are found in abundance in bone marrow stem cell treatments[1].
Nitric Oxide can be naturally increased in our bodies through:
- Moderate regular exercise
- Avoidance of antibacterial mouthwashes since normal bacteria in our mouth help convert foods into nitric oxide
- Avoidance of smoking
- Increase of foods with inorganic nitrates such as kale, beets, and spinach
However, despite living healthy with regular exercise and healthy green diets, individuals may still have continued reduction in the production of nitric oxide as they age every day. Not all kale and spinach or even beets have a reliable and continued source of nitrates.
Not everyone has a deficiency of nitric oxide; in fact, a simple saliva test can prove if you are deficient. Thus, as a prospective patient, you will be assured that you actually have a deficiency prior to investing in a deficiency treatment program. The same test can be used after correcting the deficiency to determine if the therapy is working. We normally suggest taking the free test in our office and repeating this in about three months after taking the nitric oxide supplements.
How Convenient is Nitric Oxide Supplementation?
All patients have to do is dissolve one tablet of the Neo-40™ nitric oxide under their tongue twice a day for one month, followed by just once a day. Patients should also consider a moderate exercise program, such as walking or swimming, as well as avoiding the use of antibacterial mouthwashes and tobacco. If you choose, you can also include spinach, kale, and beets in your diet on a regular basis. After following this program for three months, have your saliva tested again.
How Much Does Nitric Oxide Supplementation Cost?
We use the only professionally developed nitric oxide supplement, called Neo-40™. Dr. Nathan Bryan at the University of Texas Health Science Center helped to develop this product with numerous physiologic tests to ensure the purity and effectiveness of this supplement. During
the first month of treatment, this professional quality supplement sells for $99 and after the first month, the cost is $50/mo.
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Footnotes & Further Reading on Nitric Oxide:
Nitric Oxide Biochemistry basics (Habib S, Ali A. Biochemistry of Nitric Oxide. Indian Journal of
Clinical Biochemistry. 2011;26(1):3-17. doi:10.1007/s12291-011-0108-4.)
Nitric Oxide and reduction of blood pressure - (Kapil V, Milsom AB, Okorie M, Maleki‐Toyserkani S, Akram F, Rehman F, Arghandawi S, Pearl V, Benjamin N, Loukogeorgakis S, Macallister R, Hobbs AJ, Webb AJ, Ahluwalia A. Inorganic nitrate supplementation lowers blood pressure in humans: role for nitrite‐derived NO. Hypertension 2010; 56: 274–81. [PubMed])
Kapil V, Khambata RS, Robertson A, Caulfield MJ, Ahluwalia A. Dietary nitrate provides sustained blood pressure lowering in hypertensive patients: a randomized, phase 2, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study. Hypertension 2015; 65: 320–7. [PubMed]
Coles LT, Clifton PM. Effect of beetroot juice on lowering blood pressure in free‐living, disease‐free adults: a randomized, placebo‐controlled trial. Nutr J 2012; 11: 106. [PubMed]
Siervo M, Lara J, Ogbonmwan I, Mathers JC. Inorganic nitrate and beetroot juice supplementation reduces blood pressure in adults: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. J Nutr 2013; 143: 818–26.[PubMed]
Nitric Oxide and Stem Cell Proliferation- ( Bonafè F1, Guarnieri C, Muscari C. Nitric oxide regulates multiple functions and fate of adult progenitor and stem cells. J Physiol Biochem. 2015 Mar;71(1):141-53. doi: 10.1007/s13105-014-0373-9. Epub 2014 Dec 20.)
[1] Bonafè F1, Guarnieri C, Muscari C. Nitric oxide regulates multiple functions and fate of adult progenitor and stem cells. J Physiol Biochem. 2015 Mar;71(1):141-53. doi: 10.1007/s13105-014-0373-9. Epub 2014 Dec 20