Few people realize it, but nitric oxide (NO) is the most important chemical compound for cardiovascular health.
Having adequate nitric oxide production is the first step in a chain reaction that promotes healthy cardiovascular function. And having insufficient amounts of nitric oxide can trigger a cascade of destruction that eventually results in heart disease.
How Does Nitric Oxide Help Your Heart?
Nitric oxide has several important heart benefits. It promotes healthy dilation of your veins and arteries, so blood can move throughout your body. Plus, it prevents red blood cells from sticking together and creating dangerous clots and blockages.
Your body naturally generates nitric oxide in the endothelium that line the blood vessel walls. But in the early stages of arterial disease, this lining is damaged—which chokes off the production of nitric oxide, making the vessels vulnerable to inflammation and other negative factors.
How Can You Ensure Your Heart Has Enough Nitric Oxide?
There are several ways to help ensure you have enough nitric oxide for heart health, including:
- Exercise: Physical activity helps to stimulate the production of nitric oxide. But stay away from an extreme activity like marathon running, since severe exercise creates more oxidative stress in your body.
- Eat Organic Kale and Beet Juice: Organic kale eaten two to three times a week helps to boost nitric oxide in the body. Plus, beets (especially if they’re juiced) are very high in nitrates that the body converts into nitric oxide.
- Take L-arginine: The amino acid L-arginine is the original raw material that converts to nitric oxide in the body. Dosage: Up to 3 grams of L-arginine twice a day with food. But do not take L-arginine if you have had a heart attack within a year, and always work closely with your doctor.
- Supplement with Vitamins C and E: These vitamins promote the production of nitric oxide and help to protect your blood vessels from the damaging effects of free radicals. Dosage: 1 gram of vitamin C daily, and 200 IU of mixed tocopherol vitamin E daily.
- Take Grape Seed Extract: Made from the ground seeds of red wine grapes, grape seed extract helps to protect your endothelial lining by fostering nitric oxide production. Dosage: 50 mg twice daily.
- Take Glycine Propionyl L-carnitine (GPLC): Supplementing with this amino acid has been found to increase the level of nitric oxide along with exercise. Dosage: 500 mg three times daily.
- Supplement with Crominex 3+: This special combination of chromium combined with amla extract and purified Shilajit helps to increase nitric oxide production. Dosage: 400 mcg daily.
