Nitric Oxide is Nobel Prize winning science. Since it hit the scene back in the 90’s it has been tauted as a panacea (cure-all) for imbalances within the cardio-vascular system.
And it get’s made right here inside your body. Well…. until it doesn’t. Irregular lifestyle habits, chronic stress, environmental toxins and body systems and vital organs that no longer function optimally all slowly reduce our ability to make this magic molecule.
So we need to know how to compensate, and to revive it’s production. Here’s why.
Nitric Oxide is possibly the most important factor contributing to the integrity of the endothelial linings of the blood vessels (the thin protective membranes), heart health and good circulation (click to read the blog).
It has anti inflammatory, anti oxidant, vaso dialating, anti coagulant, immune regulating and some would say, anti-aging properties.
Because of its effect on blood flow, in addition to its cardio vascular benefits, Nitric Oxide is hugely involved with sexual health and fertility, perhipharal vascular disease, and the associated complications of diabetes such as neuropathy and declining eyesight.
So now that we’ve touched on why, here’s how.
1/ Humming (who’d of thought!): Ancient yogic knowledge, now supported by research, shows that certain breathing techniques and the inclusion of humming actually stimulates the the endogenous (internal) Nitric oxide pathways via the paranasal sinus (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0975947621001376).
2/ Specific types of exercise: It seems that exercise that involves quick bursts of intense physical output, such as HIT (high intensity interval training) or sprinting promotes the release of Nitric Oxide. In as little as 4 minutes you can significantly increase your Nitric Oxide levels. Dr Zach Bush has created a set of simple exercise for this exact purpose (you can find it on youtube).
3/ Regularly consuming certain foods like beetroot, watermelon and rocket, therapies like acupuncture (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17242084/) & massage, saunas and even some herbal medicines can all support the production and maintaining of your Nitric Oxide levels.
Considering it’s huge impact on your overall health, it would be well worth the time to incorporate these and other lifestyle hacks into your health strategy.