Nitric oxide regulates your blood pressure by relaxing the muscles of your blood vessels increasing blood flow to your body. The relationship between nitric oxide and blood pressure is crucial to your health.
Hi, my name is Paul and I work in construction. In this line of work, you have to be careful with the materials you use especially because of the dust and fumes you inhale. I suffer from hypertension so I have to take extra care not to raise my blood pressure levels. To work in a construction site you have to be fit. So I do my morning run and carry my beetroot juice and veggie salad to give me energy throughout the day and also help to regulate my blood pressure.
Nitric oxide and blood pressure
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Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator that you can find in your cells, plants, and fungi. Increased blood flow to your body helps the blood carrying nutrients and oxygen to provide your cells with the nutrients and raw materials they need to give you energy and improve your performance. If you’re an athlete or like working out, increased nitric oxide helps your muscles to recover faster and regulate your blood pressure.
It also protects your blood vessels from vascular aging because of the low change in the vascular structure and function which causes the arteries to harden faster. Taking beetroot is especially good for your blood pressure because your body converts the nitrates in this vegetable into nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide also has many other benefits like fighting off infections and diseases and helping you to have quality sleep. If you have low levels of nitric oxide in your body it could be the cause of high blood pressure. Insufficient nitric oxide makes your blood vessels to become constricted which increases the pressure inside the vessels raising your blood pressure. Click here for more information.
How to increase nitric oxide
Exposure to the sun
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Exposure to direct sunlight on your skin causes your body to produce nitric oxide. Basking in the sun for 15-30 minutes is enough but make sure not to expose your skin to too much sun. The right amount of sunlight has many benefits but too much sun to the point of getting a sunburn can increase the risks of skin cancer.
L-Arginine
L-arginine, an amino acid used by the body to produce nitric oxide. Being a powerful vasodilator, nitric oxide has a big role in maintaining your blood pressure levels. The more the nitric oxide the more your blood vessels dilate and relax allowing oxygen and nutrients to be transported throughout your body and lowering your blood pressure. Arginine is not toxic and if there is too much in your body it’s easily excreted by your body.
Nitrate oxide foods
The best part about your body is that it can convert the nitrates in vegetables into nitric oxide. There are many vegetables that are rich in nitrates like spinach, cabbage, celery, arugula, and chard. Vegetables are also high in antioxidant properties. Dark leafy greens are known to know to be great in treating and preventing heart disease and hypertension. Cured meat is also a good source of nitrates. Make sure your plate has some vegetables to keep you covered on the nitrates and antioxidant front.
L-Citrulline
This is an amino acid that helps to increase the nitric oxide levels in your blood. Citrulline can reduce your blood pressure levels and muscle recovery after a hard workout session. Since citrulline is more absorbable, it works better if combined with arginine to help in the production of more arginine which is then converted into nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide plays a big role in regulating your blood pressure
The relationship between nitric oxide and blood pressure is crucial in regulating your blood pressure. So to keep your blood pressure in check you have to make sure your body has enough nitric oxide. Whether you get it from the foods you eat especially vegetables and fruits or basking in a little sun, make sure your body doesn’t run low on nitric oxide. Beetroot is also an excellent source of dietary nitrates. You can blend it to make juice or eat it raw. The dietary nitrates will relax your cell muscles allowing more blood to flow and bring down your blood pressure.
FAQ
What happens if you take too much nitric oxide?
Too much nitric oxide can cause you to go into septic shock where your blood vessels dilate and your blood pressure plummets. During a stroke your brain cells produce a lot of nitric oxide which destroys your brain tissue.
Is nitric oxide safe for your heart?
Nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator that relaxes your blood vessels increasing oxygen and blood flow. It also protects your blood vessels from vascular aging and reduce hardening of your arteries.
Does nitric oxide help sexually?
Nitric oxide helps to boost your physical activity by increasing blood flow which boosts your energy levels improving your performance. L-arginine stimulates the production of nitric oxide which boosts your libido and improves male’s fertility and sexual performance.
What are the side effects of taking nitric oxide supplements?
If taken the right way, nitric oxide supplements are generally safe. If you take more than 10g of arginine you may experience stomach discomfort and diarrhea and if you take beet juice supplements you may get red urine which is a harmless side effect.
Which foods are rich in nitric oxide?
You can take beets, spinach, greens, dark chocolate, pomegranate, and watermelon. Also nuts, seeds, and meat contain nitric oxide.
