Nitric oxide is a molecule that’s produced naturally by the body and is important for many aspects of your health, most importantly vasodilation. Vasodilation involves the relaxation of the inner muscles of the blood vessels enabling them to dilate and increase blood circulation to all areas of the body including the brain. Thus, nitric oxide production is essential for overall health because it allows blood, nutrients and oxygen to efficiently travel to all areas that have lost vitality with age.
A reduced capacity to produce nitric oxide is associated with heart disease, dementia and even cancer.
Nitric oxide has been shown to be important for the transmission of information between the brain’s neurons, regulation of blood pressure and reduction of inflammation.
The interior lining (endothelium) of the arteries produces nitric oxide. The arterial plaques associated with atherosclerosis reduce nitric oxide production.
With aging, nitric oxide production by the blood vessels declines due to free radical damage and loss of cardiovascular vitality as a result of improper diet and sedentary behavior.
Nitric oxide has wide-ranging effects on health, impacting many of the body’s systems, including:
Immune system: Nitric oxide provides a defense against invasive pathogens. It helps control various types of immune cells and helps them communicate and react more rapidly.
Circulatory system: Nitric oxide relxes and widens blood vessels, improving blood flow and lowering high blood pressure.
Nervous system: As a neurotransmitter in the brain, nitric oxide plays crucial roles in neuronal signaling, memory, and neuroplasticity (development of new signaling pathways in the brain).
Respiratory system: Nitric oxide relaxes the airways, preventing them from becoming constricted. It may be helpful in diseases characterized by reduced airway flow such as COPD and asthma.
Digestive system: Nitric oxide helps control the smooth muscles of the gastrointestinal tract, thus assisting peristalsis and countering constipation.
Other potential benefits include:
- Lower cholesterol levels
- Reduced arthritic swelling and pain
- Reduces risk of diabetes and diabetes-related complications
- Helps prevent blood clots from forming
- Protects against sun damage to skin
- Reduces risk of dementia
Additional Resources:
First 2026 Prerecorded Class: Nitric oxide and Sea Buckthorn Berry Oil; Food for Thought #2
