discussed the importance of nitric oxide for erectile function and overall vascular health. (These can be accessed with the
). Nitric oxide is a critical biochemical that can be impaired by many factors and naturally falls with age. Nitric oxide has been discussed in more than 130,000 published scientific papers! It is actually a gas and therefore rapidly penetrates cells throughout the body. Nitric oxide regulates gene expression and protein structure and function.
Nitric oxide is best known for its importance in blood vessel health (including hypertension, erectile dysfunction and protection against heart attack and stroke). Nitric oxide's effects also play a role in female sexual arousal and peripheral vascular disease. Having good nitric oxide status makes heart attack and stroke less likely but if they do occur the damage to the heart and brain are less. If you have to experience a heart attack or stroke wouldn't it be better to be mild rather than severe (or fatal)? In addition to maintaining healthy blood vessels, nitric oxide important functions and effects include:
- Stimulation of glucose (blood sugar) uptake into cells. This has widespread effects by
influencing energy production in muscle and brain cells
- Reduced complications of diabetes
- Mitochondrial biogenesis, which is the creation of new mitochondria. The mitochondria
are known as the "powerhouse" of the cell and are responsible for 95% of the body's
energy production from food and oxygen.
- Free radical scavenging
- Anti-inflammation
- Plays a role in killing bacteria, inhibiting viruses, decreasing transplant rejection
- Enhanced learning and memory
- Promotion of positive mood
- Bronchodilation and enhanced oxygen utilization thereby improving asthma
- Regulation of processes important in cancer: apoptosis, angiogenesis, telomerase
activation, and uncontrolled cell proliferation
- Improved nutrient absorption
- Regulation of gastrointestinal motility
- Gastrointestinal mucosal protection (reduced ulcers)
- Inhibition of the bacteria H. pylori
- Bladder control
- Healthier bones
- Improved kidney function
- Greater exercise capacity
Hopefully you have an appreciation for the importance of nitric oxide. Unfortunately, many factors impair nitric oxide at any age. However, nitric oxide insufficiency is a greater problem with age. It is normal for nitric oxide levels to be lower in older people even if they have a good diet and exercise routine. Low nitric oxide levels may play a major role in biological aging and development of all degenerative diseases (heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer's disease, etc.)
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Nitric Oxide Production Can Become Impaired by Many Factors.
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I recommend having an evaluation to investigate the modifiable factors that can impair nitric oxide production. My article,
"A Personalized Lifestyle Medicine Approach to Erectile Dysfunction" describes this in detail.
Until recently, people over age 40 had no hope of ideal nitric oxide levels even with a great lifestyle. Thankfully, that has changed!
Neo 40 is a nutritional supplement created by top nitric oxide researcher, Dr. Nathan Bryan.
Neo 40 is a lozenge that releases nitric oxide when dissolved in the mouth. It supplies nitric oxide directly by way of a patented mix of natural ingredients.
Neo 40 also helps the body restore its own nitric oxide-generating ability. One
Neo 40 lozenge sustains enhanced nitric oxide levels for 12 hours. One of the first published studies on
Neo 40 demonstrated improvement in the cardiovascular risk factors C reactive protein and triglycerides. Study participants most commonly reported improved energy and reduced stress.
Neo 40 has been shown to lower blood pressure, lower blood sugar, dilate blood vessels, and improve blood flow (see pictures below). Anecdotally,
Neo 40 has helped autistic children. The first patient I gave
Neo 40 to emailed me after 3 days to tell me her sinusitis was gone and her asthma improved.
Should you take
Neo 40? Is there a test to know what your nitric oxide levels are? Because of technical issues, nitric oxide can't be measured directly by medical laboratories. A few years ago, Dr. Bryan developed a simple screening test for nitric oxide. You simply put a little saliva on a small test strip and wait a few seconds for it to turn color. The test strip actually measures nitrite. Nitrite and nitric oxide are in equilibrium in the body so that nitrite levels reflect nitric oxide levels. Dr. Bryan has one of only two nitric oxide blood analyzers in existence. He has validated that the test strips work. If you have enough nitric oxide then when you test your saliva
upon arising in the morning, the tiny pad on the end of the test strip turns a dark pink. With severe deficiency the pad remains white. See "Featured Test" in left column for more.
