Friday, July 30, 2021

5 Ways to Increase Nitric Oxide Naturally

 Website content extracted from:5 Ways to Increase Nitric Oxide Naturally (healthline.com)

Nitric oxide is a molecule that’s produced naturally by your body, and it’s important for many aspects of your health.

Its most important function is vasodilation, meaning it relaxes the inner muscles of the blood vessels, causing them to widen and increase circulation.

Nitric oxide production is essential for overall health because it allows blood, nutrients and oxygen to travel to every part of your body effectively and efficiently.

In fact, a limited capacity to produce nitric oxide is associated with heart disease, diabetes and erectile dysfunction.

Fortunately, there are many ways to maintain optimal levels of nitric oxide in your body.

Here are the top 5 ways to increase nitric oxide naturally.

1. Eat Vegetables High in Nitrates

Nitrate, a compound found in certain vegetables, is one of the many reasons vegetables are healthy for you.

Vegetables high in nitrate include (1Trusted Source):

  • Celery
  • Cress
  • Chervil
  • Lettuce
  • Beetroot
  • Spinach
  • Arugula

When these foods are consumed, nitrates are converted into nitric oxide, which confers a wide range of health benefits related to heart health and exercise performance.

In fact, several analyses have shown that eating nitrate-rich vegetables can lower blood pressure as much as some blood pressure medications (2Trusted Source3Trusted Source4Trusted Source5Trusted Source).

Strong evidence favors nitrates, especially from beetroot, for improving exercise performance in athletes (6Trusted Source7Trusted Source89Trusted Source).

Despite the effects that nitrates have on nitric oxide production in your body, some people avoid them for fear they are harmful and contribute to cancer.

This is likely because sodium nitrates are commonly used as a preservative and color fixative in bacon, cold cuts and hot dogs.

Eating these foods is linked to bowel cancer, and nitrates are thought to be the culprit (10Trusted Source11Trusted Source).

Nitrates can form N-nitroso compounds, such as nitrosamine, which are capable of causing cancer.

However, vegetables, which account for more than 80 percent of nitrate intake, contain antioxidants like vitamin C, which help prevent the formation of N-nitroso compounds (12Trusted Source).

Therefore, nitrates from vegetables are harmless, whereas nitrates in processed meats can be troublesome to health, particularly when consumed in excess over long periods (13).

SUMMARY

Vegetables are good sources of nitrates, which help form nitric oxide in your body. Consuming nitrate-rich vegetables improves heart health and exercise performance.

2. Increase Your Intake of Antioxidants

Nitric oxide is an unstable molecule that degrades quickly in the bloodstream, so it must be constantly replenished (14).

One way to increase its stability and limit its breakdown is by consuming antioxidants.

Antioxidants are molecules that neutralize free radicals, which contribute to the short life of nitric oxide (15Trusted Source).

These antioxidants are found in all foods but primarily those of plant origin, such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds and grains.

A few important antioxidants include:

  • Vitamin C: This antioxidant helps your body form connective tissues, including skin, bones, tendons and cartilage. It also produces brain chemicals that help nerve cells communicate (16Trusted Source).
  • Vitamin E: This antioxidant protects cells from the damaging effects of free radicals, which are thought to contribute to aging and disease. It also plays an important role in keeping the immune system strong (17Trusted Source18Trusted Source).
  • Polyphenols: This category of antioxidants is associated with several health benefits, including a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease (19Trusted Source).
  • Glutathione: Coined “the mother of all antioxidants,” glutathione is the master antioxidant and detoxifier of every cell in your body.

Several studies have found that ingesting nitric oxide precursors, such as nitrate or citrulline, with antioxidants maintains greater levels of nitric oxide in your body by helping reduce its breakdown (20Trusted Source21Trusted Source22Trusted Source23Trusted Source).

Vegetables that are high in nitrate are also inherently high in antioxidants, which is likely why vegetables are so effective at increasing and maintaining optimal levels of nitric oxide (3Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

Antioxidants help decrease the breakdown and extend the life of nitric oxide in your body.

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3. Use Nitric-Oxide-Boosting Supplements

Several dietary supplements are marketed as “nitric oxide boosters.”

These supplements don’t contain nitric oxide itself, but they include ingredients that help form nitric oxide in your body.

Two of the most commonly used ingredients are L-arginine and L-citrulline.

L-Arginine

L-arginine is a conditionally essential amino acid, meaning it only has to be consumed in the diet under certain conditions, while healthy adults can make all they need (24Trusted Source).

It directly produces nitric oxide through a process called the L-arginine-NO pathway.

Several studies support the use of L-arginine for increasing blood flow, but only in certain populations.

In those with high blood pressure, including pregnant women, L-arginine is effective at lowering blood pressure (25Trusted Source2627Trusted Source28Trusted Source).

However, evidence on the ability of L-arginine to improve blood flow or exercise performance in healthy individuals remains mixed (29Trusted Source30Trusted Source31Trusted Source32Trusted Source).

L-arginine is generally recognized as safe when taking 20 grams per day, but it may cause digestive symptoms at dosages as low as 10 grams (3334Trusted Source).

L-Citrulline

L-citrulline is a dispensable amino acid, meaning your body can make all it needs.

When L-arginine is converted to nitric oxide, L-citrulline is produced as a byproduct.

L-citrulline can then be recycled back to L-arginine and used to increase your body’s natural production of nitric oxide.

In fact, L-citrulline increases levels of L-arginine in your body more than supplementing with L-arginine itself does. This is because a large percentage of L-arginine is broken down before reaching your bloodstream (35Trusted Source).

Studies have found L-citrulline to increase blood flow, improve exercise performance and lower blood pressure (36Trusted Source37Trusted Source38Trusted Source39Trusted Source).

L-citrulline is considered relatively safe, and there is a low risk of side effects, even with high doses (40Trusted Source).

SUMMARY

The amino acids L-arginine and L-citrulline are used to produce nitric oxide in your body. They are available as supplements and have beneficial effects on vascular health and blood flow.

4. Limit Your Use of Mouthwash

Mouthwash destroys bacteria in your mouth that can contribute to the growth of cavities and other dental diseases.

Unfortunately, mouthwash kills all types of bacteria, including the beneficial ones that help produce nitric oxide.

Special bacteria in the mouth convert nitrate to nitric oxide. In fact, humans cannot produce nitric oxide from nitrate without these bacteria (41Trusted Source).

Research has shown that mouthwash kills the oral bacteria needed to produce nitric oxide for up to 12 hours (42Trusted Source43Trusted Source).

This leads to a decrease in nitric oxide production and, in some instances, an increase in blood pressure (44Trusted Source45Trusted Source).

The detrimental effects of mouthwash on nitric oxide production may even contribute to the development of diabetes, which is characterized by malfunctions in insulin production or action.

This is because nitric oxide also regulates insulin, which helps cells utilize the energy obtained from food after it’s digested. Without nitric oxide, insulin cannot work properly.

One study found that people who used mouthwash at least twice daily were 65% more likely to develop diabetes than those who never used mouthwash (46Trusted Source).

Therefore, to maintain adequate nitric oxide production, it’s best to use mouthwash sparingly.

SUMMARY

Mouthwash kills many types of bacteria in the mouth, including the ones that help produce nitric oxide. This limits your body’s ability to produce nitric oxide, which can lead to high blood pressure and diabetes.

5. Get Your Blood Flowing With Exercise

Exercise really does get your blood pumping, largely because it improves endothelial function.

Endothelium refers to the thin layer of cells that line the blood vessels. These cells produce nitric oxide, which keeps blood vessels healthy.

Insufficient nitric oxide production results in endothelium dysfunction, which can contribute to atherosclerosis, high blood pressure and other risk factors for heart disease (47Trusted Source).

Exercise keeps your endothelial cells and blood vessels healthy by increasing your body’s natural ability to produce nitric oxide.

Several studies have shown that regular physical activity increases endothelial vasodilation in people who have high blood pressure and heart disease, as well as in healthy individuals (4849Trusted Source50Trusted Source).

Studies have also shown that exercise increases antioxidant activity, which helps inhibit the breakdown of nitric oxide caused by free radicals (51Trusted Source52Trusted Source).

The benefits of exercise on endothelial health and nitric oxide production can be seen in as little as 10 weeks when exercising for 30 minutes at least three times a week (48).

For optimal results, combine aerobic training, such as walking or jogging, with anaerobic training, such as resistance training. The types of exercise you choose should be things you enjoy and can do long term.

Finally, speak with your doctor to determine any limitations you may have in regards to exercise.

SUMMARY

Engaging in regular exercise can improve your endothelial function and thus your natural production of nitric oxide.

The Bottom Line

Nitric oxide is an essential molecule required for overall health. As a vasodilator, nitric oxide signals the blood vessels to relax, allowing them to expand.

This effect allows blood, nutrients, and oxygen to flow freely to every part of your body. But when nitric oxide production is decreased, your health can become compromised.

Therefore, it’s important to achieve and maintain optimal levels of nitric oxide in your body.

A diet high in nitrate-rich vegetables and antioxidants or the use of supplements, such as L-arginine or L-citrulline, are beneficial ways to boost your body’s natural production of nitric oxide. Other proven strategies include limiting mouthwash and exercising regularly.

For optimal nitric oxide production, increase your intake of nitrate-rich vegetables and exercise at least 30 minutes per day.

Tuesday, July 27, 2021

One Major Side Effect of Eating Cherries, Say Dietitians

 Website content extracted from: One Major Side Effect of Eating Cherries, Say Dietitians (eatthis.com)

JULY 4, 2021

Cherries are a summer staple, whether you're eating them straight off the stem, using them to garnish your favorite cocktail, or baking them into a sweet treat. However, these tasty seasonal fruits can do a whole lot more than simply satisfy your sweet tooth. According to registered dietitians, there's a surprising benefit of eating these delicious fruits that even the most seasoned cherry connoisseurs may not know about.

"Cherries do not get the attention they deserve for being the nutrient-packed fruit that they are," says Trista Best, MPH, RD, LD, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements.

How to Freeze Cherries

"One surprising benefit of cherries is their ability to ease joint pain and swelling from inflammatory arthritis," explains Best. "They contain highly anti-inflammatory nutrients, known as antioxidants, that can help to reduce this inflammation."

To test the efficacy of cherries on osteoarthritis pain, a 2013 study published in the journal Osteoarthritis Cartilage provided 58 non-diabetic adults with osteoarthritis either two 8-oz. bottles of tart cherry juice or a placebo to drink on a daily basis for six weeks. After the six-week period was up, subjects took a one-week break from treatment, then switched treatment plans. Researchers found that, while the effect was only slightly more pronounced than that of the placebo group, tart cherry juice did provide some symptom relief among the osteoarthritis patients studied.

RELATED: One Major Effect of Drinking Tart Cherry Juice, According To Experts

Researchers also found that consumption of tart cherry juice was associated with lower levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), a protein that can indicate inflammation in the body. In addition to decreasing overall inflammation and osteoarthritis symptoms, this may lead to greater mobility among individuals with arthritis in the long run. A 2008 study published in Arthritis Research & Therapy found that higher levels of hsCRP were associated with lower tibial cartilage volume among women between ages 40 and 67, which can lead to a loss of mobility over time.

That's not the only way cherries can help reduce inflammation throughout your body, however. "Eating a cup of cherries before bed could also improve your sleep quality," says Best. "Cherries contain natural melatonin, a hormone associated with the sleep-wake cycle, that is known to increase sleep quality and duration."

bowl of cherries on bed with floral sheets
Shutterstock / Jelena990

A 2018 study published in the American Journal of Therapeutics found that supplementation with tart cherry juice among a group of 11 subjects increased both sleep efficiency and overall sleep duration.

Over time, this may help lower levels of inflammation and pain. A 2014 study published in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine found that short sleep is associated with higher levels of hsCRP—but logging longer, more restful hours in bed may help. So, if you're struggling with inflammation and pain, adding a handful of cherries to your meal plan might just be the ticket to sweet relief.

For more ways to improve your mobility and reduce pain, check out The 40 Best Foods That Fight Arthritis, and for more healthy living news sent to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter!

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SARAH CROW
Sarah Crow is a senior editor at Eat This, Not That!, where she focuses on celebrity news and health coverage. Read more

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