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nitric oxide molecules in the blood vessels

What is nitric oxide (N.C.) and how does it play its part in you being healthy? NC is a gas that cannot be measured and when it hits the air it disappears. A procedure doctors could use is inserting electrodes into your blood vessels, but would be an expensive procedure. You cannot take nitric oxide as a supplement again because it is a gas.

How It Works

Nitric oxide is a molecule produced by cells in the inner lining of blood vessels. A signaling molecule fits into receptors on cell walls and triggers biochemical reactions.

People who suffer from arthritis and joint inflammation can experience relief with higher levels of nitric oxide, as it activates the anti-inflammation mechanism in the body to reduce inflammation.

It boosts the immune system to fight off infections.

It has also been established that high levels of nitric oxide can prevent the growth of cancer cells or tumors in the body. Cancer cells grow in a low to non-oxygenated environment. Nitric oxide increase oxygen to all extremities of the body therefore suffocating cancer cells.

Nitric Oxide and Your Health

Nitric oxide helps prevent heart disease and stroke because the gas expands blood vessels. It protects the blood vessel’s muscle tissue from harmful constriction and thus allowing blood to flow or circulate with less force. Studies on N.C. have reported elevating the gas in hypertensive patients can lower blood pressure by 10 to 60 points. The same studies showed that those that take statin drugs can lower the doses by 50%. This would mean that N.C. is important in controlling cholesterol levels.

In early adulthood, nitric oxide levels gradually decline, most likely due to damage to the endothelial cells caused by such factors as a high-fat diet and a sedentary lifestyle. So how can one increase the levels of nitric oxide?

Boosting the Levels

Eating foods that have the ability to produce the gas in your blood would the optimum thing to do to increase the levels in your blood stream. Eating foods that contain an amino acid called L arginine. The benefits are:

Expands blood vessels and blood flow to all extremities of your body
Regulates enzymes and hormones
Lessens diabetic complications
Stimulates insulin release from the pancreas
Neutralizes ammonia in the body promoting liver detoxification
Reduces stress

In most cases, the body maintains an adequate supply of L-arginine on its own with a proper diet. L-arginine-rich foods include plant and animal proteins, such as dairy products, meat, poultry, fish, and nuts.

A warning though; too much L-arginine can have adverse effects as well. Supplementation would not be advised as food sources can be sufficient. Drawbacks are taking higher dosages of L-arginine ups the chances of experiencing excessive side-effects, from a marked increase in existing allergic reactions to difficulty breathing. Patients with gastro esophageal disease or GERD are advised to avoid L-arginine supplementation, as an increase in stomach acid production has been linked to the amino acid. Those with a sexually transmitted disease such as herpes should avoid supplementation. Pregnant or nursing women should also not take these supplements (Livestrong)

Always consult with your medical adviser if you do have any concerns.

Other ways to boost your NC levels is with L-citrulline. This amino acid is produced by the body and can be found in sources outside the body, such as in watermelon. Unlike L-arginine, studies done since 2011 show no known side-effects of taking extra L-citrulline have been known to occur. Regardless, pregnant or lactating women or women who plan to become pregnant should seek the advice of their physician or obstetrician prior to beginning supplementation of L-citrulline or any vitamin supplement.

Food sources containing L-citrulline are:

Garlic
Onions
Garbanzo beans
Chick peas
Peanuts
Soy
Cucumbers
Melons
Almonds
Walnuts
Dark Chocolate
Salmon
Red meat

L-citrulline is necessary for detoxifying the liver from ammonia, which is a waste product left over after oxidation in the body.

Vitamin C and vitamin E reduce oxidation in the blood vessels and help increase nitric oxide. Vitamin C also reduces arterial plaque, which in turn increases higher levels of nitric oxide. You can get vitamin C from foods like bell peppers and green leafy vegetables.

Warning though, it is not advised to take high doses of Vitamin E supplements. Recent studies suggest taking daily doses of 400 IU or higher may make the patient more susceptible to heart disease and other illnesses.

In short, a good healthy diet with added daily rigorous activity (like walking, jogging, cycling) can increase your levels of Nitric Oxide. If you still have concerns then supplement your diet with vitamins and minerals. But always be informed so a good thing will not play havoc on your health later.

Knowledge is health, eat and be healthy.
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