Nitric Oxide
The ignition for solid erections
What is Nitric Oxide (NO) and what is it’s role in Physiology? Nitric Oxide is one of our most crucial molecules for bodily functions and overall health. Nitric oxide is a naturally occurring compound in our body and it’s a really great chemical messenger. It regulates our vascular tone and our blood flow, which is really important for overall cardiovascular function, respiratory function and skeletal muscle contractile function.
Our arteries are really important for carrying blood around our body – which in turn carries nutrients. When things go wrong with the arteries, it can impact pretty much any organ system. For example, when we exercise we get an expansion of the arteries in our working muscle so they can get more blood and oxygen they need. Nitric Oxide is a potent local vasodilator – in other words – when nitric oxide is present those vessels will expand and allow for a lot more blood flow.
In order to have an erection – or even as female sexual health – it is very important to have optimal vasodilation.
As we age our arteries stiffen which reduces their ability to expand and contract in response to blood flow needs. This causes things like cardiovascular disease and even neurodegenerative disease – having enough nitric oxide is crucial in maintaining vascular function. With age nitric oxide availability decreases. This array of changes in vascular function with age leads to what we call endothelial dysfunction.
Nitric Oxide supplementation may have a protective effect against disease as we age.
Nitric Oxide Synthesis
There are two ways by which nitric oxide can be synthesized by the body: Nitric Oxide dependent and Nitric Oxide independent. Nitric Oxide Synthase (NOS) is exactly what it sounds like; it is responsible for synthesizing nitric oxide. Here NO helps Arginine to oxidize to L-Arginine. In layman’s terms; the body converts Arginine to L-Arginine with the byproduct being Nitric Oxide. L-Arginine is an Amino Acid that the body uses in the biosynthesis of protein.
Beetroot juice are super rich in dietary nitrate. Red meat, poultry, fish or diary products and leafy greens that are high in dietary nitrates will impact as well.
Does the Supplements help?
The important thing is to actually look at the ingredients in your nitric oxide booster.
L-Arginine is a direct NO precursor. However, it’s limited because it’s less bioavailable. What that means is that it’s broken down really quickly. So, you have to take it very often (3x daily). And interestingly, L-Arginine has been studied pretty extensively compared to other supplements for erectile dysfunction.
L-Citruline gets converted into L-Arginine in the body, which then ultimately boosts Nitric oxide. The good news is that it is more bioavailable than L-Argenine.
Symptoms of low Nitric Oxide levels
High Blood Pressure
Poor or sluggish memory
Low stamina