Nitric Oxide - Why Is It Important?

In a time when we are living in the shadow of a virulent viral illness, we all need as much help as we can get to strengthen our immunity and fortify our bodies. In comes Nitric Oxide (NO) - a molecule that is produced in the endothelial lining of our blood vessels including the paranasal sinuses, and radically reduces cardio-vascular disease. It tells the cardio-vascular system how to operate and communicates with other organ tissue.

It does this by dilating the blood vessels and enabling better blood flow and absorption of nutrients, reducing platelet stickiness, monocyte stickiness (preventing the formation of plaque), the multiplication of smooth muscle cells in the artery wall, the release of superoxide radicals, and the oxidation of LDL cholesterol (a major component of plaque).

In addition, NO increases sperm production and motility and hence fertility, improves ovulatory function, reduces complication in labour, improves sexual function, improves sleep, and increases the body’s ability to make essential hormones such as testosterone, progesterone, and the vitally important hormone we call vitamin D. In short, NO helps us to reinvigorate life.

Happily, it is also easy to increase our production of NO in three simple ways.

1.     Eat a diet high in nitrate containing vegetables, such as beetroot, spinach, arugula, chervil, cress, celery, lettuce. The nitrates in these foods are converted into nitric oxide. Eat beets at least twice a week. If you can get hold of fermented beets, or make them yourself, even better. Alternatively, you may want to supplement with nitric oxide boosting supplements.

2.     Do short bursts of anaerobic exercise that depletes the level of oxygen in the body, such as the 4-minute workout 3 times a day.

3.     Keep your mouth shut! No, I don’t mean to be rude. Breathe gently and deeply through your nose. Gentle nose breathing is essential to the production of NO. The NO is produced in the back of the nose and will follow air inspiration through the nose into the lungs where it dilates the air passages. Its role here is also to sterilise the bacteria and virus laden air going into the lungs, ensuring better health. Very important when dealing with an airborne virus. The more gentle the flow of air into the lungs, the higher the concentration of NO.

Sources:

Dr Zach Bush - Vital Health Series

Patrick McKeown - https://youtu.be/jJTl0VTROBc