Almost every cell in the human body produces nitric oxide which is important for blood vessel health. Nitric oxide is a vasodilator – it relaxes the inner muscles of blood vessels so that they widen, increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure. Nitric oxide supplements don’t actually contain nitric oxide, but they do contain compounds that the body uses to produce nitric oxide. Many clinical trials of nitric oxide supplements, a category that includes L-citrulline and L-arginine, have shown there are benefits to overall health and performance.
L-arginine is a protein-building amino acid found in red meat, dairy products, chicken, and fish. Amino acid L-citrulline is found in meat, nuts, legumes, and watermelon. You typically consume 5 grams of L-arginine in a balanced diet, which your body converts into nitric oxide. Recent studies have shown that nitric oxide supplements can improve healthy blood flow, promote healing, and improve recovery.
The Benefits of Nitric Oxide
Take a look at three of the health benefits of nitric oxide:
1. Improves Cardiovascular Health
High blood pressure happens when the force of your blood’s flow is consistently high against the walls of your arteries. When left untreated high blood pressure can cause heart disease and kidney disease. It’s thought that high blood pressure is the result of the body having an impaired ability to use nitric oxide.
Nitrate is naturally found in beets, beet juice, and dark leafy greens such as spinach and arugula. Your body converts nitrate to nitric oxide which causes blood vessels to relax and dilate to lower blood pressure. Flavonoids are found in all fruits and vegetables (and dark chocolate!) and contain powerful antioxidant effects. Flavonoids increase the production of nitric oxide and decrease its breakdown.
Type 2 diabetes causes poor blood vessel health and eventually high blood pressure, kidney disease, and cardiovascular disease. Supplements that increase nitric oxide levels, like L-arginine, may increase insulin sensitivity and improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes.
2. Improves Erectile Dysfunction
Men can help treat erectile dysfunction by taking the amino acid L-citrulline to increase the production of nitric oxide. Nitric oxide causes the muscles in the penis to relax so that blood flows to the penis increases and causes an erection. Taking nitric-oxide boosting supplements L-citrulline, L-arginine, and Pycnogenol may help improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction.
3. Enhanced Exercise and Recovery
Citrulline malate is a form of L-citrulline that increases nitric oxide production and decreases muscle soreness. Increasing nitric oxide production with citrulline malate increases blood flow to your muscles, increases nutrient delivery, and clears waste related to muscle fatigue.
Nitric oxide can boost exercise performance. When your blood vessels are dilated increased blood flow delivers more nutrients and oxygen to your muscles during exercise, enhancing exercise performance. Taking dietary nitrate supplements that contain nitrate or the amino acids L-arginine and L-citrulline can improve exercise performance.
Your body receives the necessary nutrients and oxygen to operate at peak performance through blood flow. The better your blood flow, the better your exercise performance, your cardiovascular health, and your sexual health. The body starts to slow nitric oxide production with age. Eating nitrate-rich foods, increasing your vitamin C intake, and exercising are the best ways to boost nitric oxide. Taking all-natural nitric oxide supplements is another effective way to boost your levels.
LeadingEdge Health is your source for understanding how to safely and naturally boost nitric oxide with the leading nitric oxide support supplement. Boosting nitric oxide levels can improve common signs of aging – declining physical health, poor athletic performance, poor sexual performance, declining cognitive abilities, and mental health issues.
Even with the right research, you should consult with your doctor about using nitric oxide supplements. Most supplements don’t have side effects, but it’s always advised to make sure supplements won’t interfere with other medications or existing conditions.
Have you taken — or considered taking — nitric oxide supplements?
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