Nitric Oxide

Last Updated: August 17 2022

Nitric oxide (NO) is composed of nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O). The human body creates NO from dietary arginine and nitrate. NO plays a major signaling role in vascular relaxation, and elevated levels are associated with better blood flow and lower blood pressure.

Overview

The human body converts nitrate to nitric oxide (NO), which is a signaling molecule associated with several physiological functions involving blood pressure regulation, cardiovascular health, mitochondria production, calcium transport, oxidative stress, and skeletal muscle repair.[1] It plays a prominent role as a vasodilator, which means it relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.

Nitrate supplementation, whether in its pure form (e.g. sodium/potassium nitrate), or via foods (e.g. beetroot juice/powder), may temporarily reduce the body’s oxygen demand during exercise. A decrease in oxygen demand may result in improved exercise and muscular performance.[2][3]

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References
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18.^Tochio H, Mok YK, Zhang Q, Kan HM, Bredt DS, Zhang MFormation of nNOS/PSD-95 PDZ dimer requires a preformed beta-finger structure from the nNOS PDZ domainJ Mol Biol.(2000 Oct 27)
19.^Doucet MV, Levine H, Dev KK, Harkin ASmall-Molecule Inhibitors at the PSD-95/nNOS Interface have Antidepressant-Like Properties in MiceNeuropsychopharmacology.(2013 Feb 27)
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