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Have you been wondering what are the benefits of nitric oxide boosters?
Well in this article we will look at: What is nitric oxide (NO)? How do we produce nitric oxide? The benefits of nitric oxide and how to boost nitric oxide.
With that said, let’s get into it.
What Is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric oxide is an important signaling molecule found throughout the body. It is composed of nitrogen (N) and oxygen (O) and serves a multitude of functions including: [1]
- Vasodilation (widening of blood vessels)
- Regulating cell life & death
- Immune system response
- Neurotransmission
- Nutrient transport
Moreover, nitric oxide also plays a key role in cardiovascular health. As it promotes healthy blood flow and proper endothelial function.
Additionally, nitric oxide may also help protect against endothelial cell dysfunction as well as combat inflammation and oxidative stress. [2] [3]
Unsurprisingly, since nitric oxide promotes greater blood flow throughout the body, it may also benefit athletes looking to take their performance to the next level.
How Do We Produce Nitric Oxide?
The human body has two separate and independent pathways by which it can produce nitric oxide:
- Arginine-Nitric Oxide Pathway
- Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway
Whenever we encounter or experience certain stimuli, such as intense physical exercise, our bodies activate one of three specific nitric oxide synthases (NOS).
Synthases are the enzymes that catalyze the production of nitric oxide.
The three types of nitric oxide synthase you’ll find are: [4]
- eNOS: endothelial nitric oxide synthase — responsible for most of the NO produced in our blood vessels
- iNOS: inducible nitric oxide synthase — involved with immune defense and mediation of inflammation
- nNOS: neuronal nitric oxide synthase — expressed in specific neurons of the CNS
Hence, when it comes to booster performance and pumps, the form of nitric oxide we are most interested in is endothelial nitric oxide — the kind that affects blood flow.
What are the Benefits of Nitric Oxide
#1 Benefit of Nitric Oxide – Increased Blood Flow
By now this comes as no surprise. The most well-known benefit of increased nitric oxide production is greater blood flow.
Greater blood flow means that more oxygen and nutrients (glucose, amino acids, etc.) are delivered to working skeletal muscles during exercise. Which supports energy production and may help you train longer and with greater intensity before succumbing to fatigue.
Another benefit of increased blood flow during exercise is more efficient clearance of metabolic waste products. As our muscles contract, various waste products (hydrogen ions, ADP, etc.) are created and slowly build up the longer are muscles are under tension. [5]
As more of the acidic ions accrue, the pH in our muscle drops, leading to the “burning sensation” we feel during high-rep sets and culminating in muscle fatigue. The more efficiently these waste products can be removed the longer you will be able to train before failure.
2nd Benefit – Greater Mitochondrial Density & Efficiency
Mitochondria, as you might remember, are the mini “nuclear power plants” that reside within every cell of our body and are responsible for the production of ATP — the “cellular currency” of energy production.
Interestingly, beyond energy production, the mitochondria also play a role in various cellular signaling processes including cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis.
Researchers have identified that in addition to boosting nitric oxide, intense exercise also increases mitochondrial density (the number of mitochondria) and efficiency. [6]
Basically, our cells can generate more ATP (due to the increased number of mitochondria) and they can produce it more efficiently. Both of which lead to greater overall energy production and athletic performance.
3rd Benefit – Angiogenesis
Angiogenesis is the growth of blood vessels from the existing vasculature.
Earlier, we stated that one of the functions of nitric oxide is that of an intracellular signaling molecule.
When we exercise, endothelial cells lining our blood vessels release nitric oxide which causes vasodilation. This leads to an increase in blood flow and a decrease in blood pressure, both of which promote cardiovascular health.
Additionally, nitric oxide instructs our bodies to form new capillaries (mini-branches) within the existing vascular network. Which further enhances blood flow, nutrient, and oxygen delivery to working muscles. [7] [8]
4th Benefit – Enhances Glucose Uptake
Glucose is the preferred source of energy our muscles use during high-intensity exercise. Blood glucose and glycogen (the stored form of glucose) serve as important energy substrates during intense physical activity.
The volume, speed, and efficiency with which our muscles can access, utilize, and store glucose is a key factor in how well we perform during training. Fatigue during exercise is typically linked with glycogen depletion.
Nitric oxide has been shown to mediate glucose uptake in skeletal muscle during exercise independent of blood flow or insulin!
Studies find that nitric oxide facilitates this increase in glucose uptake into skeletal muscle via intracellular signaling which culminates in up-regulation of glucose transporter-4 (GLUT4) translocation. [9] [10] [11]
In other words, nitric oxide helps increase energy usage and production during workouts. Which promotes greater performance. Similarly, it may also speed recovery due to the enhanced glucose uptake in skeletal muscle, which helps replenish glycogen that is depleted during exercise.
How to Boost Nitric Oxide
Now that you’ve got a better understanding of what nitric oxide is and how it supports your performance in the gym, you’re probably wondering how you can increase it?
Well, exercise, in and of itself, prompts an increase in nitric oxide levels. So, by merely getting in the gym and getting after it, you’re boosting endogenous nitric oxide production.
Moreover, diet can also help support increased nitric oxide production as certain vegetables (arugula, beet root, kale, etc.) are rich in nitrates.
Increasing your intake of nitrate-rich vegetables boosts nitric oxide production via the nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway. Which promotes greater blood flow, decreased blood pressure, and heightened athletic performance!
Additionally you can also use supplements to help boost nitric oxide.
Supplements for Boosting Nitric Oxide
Nutrex has done the research and developed an arsenal of pre-workout supplements that enhance nitric oxide production through both pathways in the body.
With both Outlift and Outlift Amped containing a full 8 grams of citrulline malate to support nitric oxide production via the arginine-nitric oxide pathway.
Citrulline is a non-essential amino acid that has been shown to increase plasma and tissue concentrations of arginine (the “fuel” for nitric oxide production) leading to greater nitric oxide production. It is also known as the body’s “Preferred Precursor” to the NO production.
Furthermore, the recently released High-Stim & Intense pre-workout, Hemo-Rage Unleashed also contains a healthy dose of Citrulline. Giving you not only an extremely dialed in feeling but also an insane pump.
Finally, if you are looking for a great booster to your pre-workout or just simply want to add a boost of nitric oxide to your daily supplement routine Nutrex’s L-Arginine 1000 will do just that.
To get the best of both nitric oxide pathways and maximize NO production, consider stacking one scoop of Outlift or Hemo-Rage Unleased with 1 to 3 servings of L-Arginine 1000.
Related – What Pre-Workout Is Best For You?
References
1. Blaise, G. A., Gauvin, D., Gangal, M., & Authier, S. (2005). Nitric oxide, cell signaling, and cell death. Toxicology, 208(2), 177–192. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tox.2004.11.032
2. Furchgott RF, Zawadzki JV. The Obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholine. Nature. 1980;288:373–376.
3. Zhao Y, Vanhoutte PM, Leung SW. Vascular nitric oxide: beyond eNOS. J Pharmacol Sci. 2015;129:83–94.
4. Förstermann U, Sessa WC. Nitric oxide synthases: regulation and function. Eur Heart J. 2012;33(7):829–837d. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehr304
5. Layzer, R. B. (1990). Muscle metabolism during fatigue and work. Bailliere’s Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 4(3), 441–459.
6. Brown, G. C. (2007). Nitric oxide and mitochondria. Frontiers in Bioscience : A Journal and Virtual Library, 12, 1024–1033.
7. Morbidelli, L., Donnini, S., & Ziche, M. (2003). Role of nitric oxide in the modulation of angiogenesis. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 9(7), 521–530.
8. P., C. J., & W., L. D. (2002). Nitric Oxide and Angiogenesis. Circulation, 105(18), 2133–2135. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000014928.45119.73
9. Higaki Y, Hirshman MF, Fujii N, Goodyear LJ. Nitric oxide increases glucose uptake through a mechanism that is distinct from the insulin and contraction pathways in rat skeletal muscle. Diabetes. 2001;50(2):241-247.
10. McConell GK, Huynh NN, Lee-Young RS, Canny BJ, Wadley GD. l-Arginine infusion increases glucose clearance during prolonged exercise in humans. Am J Physiol Metab. 2006;290(1):E60-E66. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00263.2005.
11. Hong, Y. H., Betik, A. C., & McConell, G. K. (2014). Role of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during exercise. Experimental Physiology, 99(12), 1569–1573. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2014.079202
2. Furchgott RF, Zawadzki JV. The Obligatory role of endothelial cells in the relaxation of arterial smooth muscle by acetylcholine. Nature. 1980;288:373–376.
3. Zhao Y, Vanhoutte PM, Leung SW. Vascular nitric oxide: beyond eNOS. J Pharmacol Sci. 2015;129:83–94.
4. Förstermann U, Sessa WC. Nitric oxide synthases: regulation and function. Eur Heart J. 2012;33(7):829–837d. doi:10.1093/eurheartj/ehr304
5. Layzer, R. B. (1990). Muscle metabolism during fatigue and work. Bailliere’s Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, 4(3), 441–459.
6. Brown, G. C. (2007). Nitric oxide and mitochondria. Frontiers in Bioscience : A Journal and Virtual Library, 12, 1024–1033.
7. Morbidelli, L., Donnini, S., & Ziche, M. (2003). Role of nitric oxide in the modulation of angiogenesis. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 9(7), 521–530.
8. P., C. J., & W., L. D. (2002). Nitric Oxide and Angiogenesis. Circulation, 105(18), 2133–2135. https://doi.org/10.1161/01.CIR.0000014928.45119.73
9. Higaki Y, Hirshman MF, Fujii N, Goodyear LJ. Nitric oxide increases glucose uptake through a mechanism that is distinct from the insulin and contraction pathways in rat skeletal muscle. Diabetes. 2001;50(2):241-247.
10. McConell GK, Huynh NN, Lee-Young RS, Canny BJ, Wadley GD. l-Arginine infusion increases glucose clearance during prolonged exercise in humans. Am J Physiol Metab. 2006;290(1):E60-E66. doi:10.1152/ajpendo.00263.2005.
11. Hong, Y. H., Betik, A. C., & McConell, G. K. (2014). Role of nitric oxide in skeletal muscle glucose uptake during exercise. Experimental Physiology, 99(12), 1569–1573. https://doi.org/10.1113/expphysiol.2014.079202
