My wife and I were talking this weekend, and she asked me why the fuss over nitric oxide?

As we get older, natural levels of nitric oxide decline. Every cell makes this nitric oxide from L-argenine and L-cittruline. Nitric oxide plays a role in vasodilation, a neurotransmitter, helps regulate blood pressure and blood flow. Because of these functions it is not surprising that there is also a role in atherosclerosis, heart disease, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, and Alzheimer’s disease.

The next part of that question is a bit more straight forward. Diet and exercise ! Dark leafy vegetables including beets, and cittruline sources like cold water fish. I also use Blood Flow Restriction Exercise.  It raises these levels faster and uses the lactic acid as a transmitter for nitric oxide and Human Growth Hormone production. There are also some supplements that I recommend to patients that raise nitric oxide levels to healthy levels, as well as make sure the cells have the nutrients to keep the production pathway functional.

Nitric oxide is important enough that anyone with even one or two symptoms of metabolic disease gets tested. The test is done at home when you get out of bed or 90 minutes after your last meal, and you can call the results in or send them in a message via patient portal.