Medically reviewed by Jared Meacham, Oxice. Muscle Nitric oxide and blood flow is an uncomfortable experience that tends to occur after strenuous or unaccustomed exercise Drug Discovery. Nitric oxide is produced naturally by the human body and is one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health 1.

Nitric oxide and blood flow -

When L-arginine is converted to nitric oxide, L-citrulline is produced as a byproduct 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 Studies have found L-citrulline to increase blood flow, improve exercise performance, and lower blood pressure 41 , 42 , L-citrulline is considered relatively safe, and there is a low risk of side effects, even with high doses 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.

Humans cannot produce nitric oxide from nitrate without these bacteria Research has shown that mouthwash kills the oral bacteria needed to produce nitric oxide for up to 12 hours 46 , This leads to a decrease in nitric oxide production and, in some instances, an increase in blood pressure 48 , 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.

Without nitric oxide, insulin cannot work properly. 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 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 52 , 53 , Studies have also shown that exercise increases antioxidant activity, which helps inhibit the breakdown of nitric oxide caused by free radicals 55 , 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 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. 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. 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.

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. VIEW ALL HISTORY. Nitric oxide is a molecule produced in your body that may offer various health benefits — from improved exercise performance to better brain function….

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Medically reviewed by Jared Meacham, Ph. Vegetables Antioxidants Supplements Limit mouthwash Exercise Bottom line Nitric oxide is a compound of one nitrogen atom and one oxygen atom that plays a vital role in the body. Eat vegetables high in nitrates. Some medications, such as Viagra harness the nitric oxide pathway to promote blood vessel widening and improve blood flow to the penis to enhance erections.

Many people think that taking nitric oxide supplements will enhance blood flow in the body to improve performance in sports, promote healing, enhance heart health, and provide many other potential benefits.

While there are many potential uses and benefits for nitric oxide supplements, there is not a lot of research to support some of the claims. According to an article published in the journal Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications , taking nitric oxide supplements offers several heart boosting effects.

These include reducing arterial stiffness, reducing blood pressure , and improving carotid artery blood flow. However, it is important to note that the researchers studied animals, not humans, to find these effects.

Researchers theorize that taking nitric oxide supplements could enhance the delivery of oxygen to muscles.

This could potentially improve athletic performance and reduce soreness after a workout. According to an article in the journal Sports Medicine , studies have shown that taking nitric oxide supplements may enhance tolerance to exercise.

However, this only applies to those who did not exercise regularly or only exercised at a moderate rate. The research has not shown that nitric oxide supplements can help elite athletes. Researchers carried out these studies on young males, so they do not know how nitric oxide supplements may affect older people and females.

Because nitric oxide supplements enhance blood flow, researchers have conducted studies to determine if it could enhance blood flow for people with erectile dysfunction ED.

According to an article in the journal Future Science OA , some studies have shown taking nitric oxide may reduce ED in those with mild to moderate ED. Preeclampsia , which is a form of high blood pressure that can occur in pregnancy, can be dangerous for both the woman and baby. A study in the European Journal of Clinical Investigation found that pregnant women who took L-arginine supplements for a prolonged period had lower blood pressure readings than pregnant women who did not take L-arginine.

Although researchers need to conduct more studies, the results are promising for women struggling with high blood pressure in pregnancy. These are just some examples of more extensive studies that examined the effectiveness of nitric oxide.

However, there are no studies that establish how much nitric oxide supplements people should take to achieve the same results as the study participants did. People take nitric oxide for a variety of reasons, many of which do not have any scientific research to support them.

Most of these benefits are anecdotal, meaning that people may have reported a benefit, but there is no proof backed up by a scientific study. For most people, taking nitric oxide supplements does not cause side effects.

When side effects do occur, they are often mild and may include:. However, some people should not take the supplements because of the risk of potential side effects.

These include people with:. Doctors also have some concerns that taking nitric oxide supplements could make some conditions worse. These include kidney disease, herpes , and after a person has had a heart attack. A study published in in JAMA found that people taking L-arginine after a heart attack had a higher chance of death, experiencing a repeat heart attack, and being hospitalized than people who did not.

This article does not give a comprehensive list of potential conditions where a person should not take nitric oxide supplements. The supplements may also interfere with medications, such as those for diabetes and high blood pressure.

Anyone thinking about taking nitric oxide supplements should talk to their doctor first to ensure they will not interfere with existing conditions or any other medications they are taking. Nitric oxide supplements have been available for decades, but as there is little scientific evidence to back up their use for specific health benefits, doctors do not routinely recommend them.

Instead, doctors may prefer to recommend lifestyle modifications or medications that scientists have proven to treat medical conditions effectively. Nitric oxide supplements do not cause many side effects in most people, so some people might choose to try them.

However, individuals should make sure that they do not have specific medical conditions that nitric oxide could harm. A person should always talk to their doctor before taking nitric oxide or any other supplement to make sure they are making a safe, healthful choice.

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Some claim nitric oxide supplements can improve Nitriv Nitric oxide and blood flow, reduce blood pressure, and treat erectile dysfunction. However, oxude into their efficacy is inconclusive. Nitric oxide supplements may also cause side effects. Nitric oxide supplements are a category of supplements that includes L-citrulline and L-arginine. Researchers have performed multiple clinical trials related to nitric oxide supplements and their effectiveness, often with mixed results. Nitric oxide Blopd is a nlood formed by combining nitrogen and oxygen. Flod occurs naturally both outside and inside the body. Outside the body, nitric oxide is a colorless, sweet-smelling gas that is toxic at high levels. Inside the body, it acts as an important chemical messenger involved in many bodily functions. Nitric oxide can also become toxic inside the body when levels get too high.