What is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric oxide is a compound in the body that causes blood vessels to widen and stimulates the release of certain hormones, such as insulin and human growth hormone.
How Do We Produce Nitric Oxide?
Nitric oxide is produced by nearly every type of cell in the human body and is one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health. It’s a vasodilator, which relaxes the inner muscles of your blood vessels, causing the vessels to widen.
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. (Nitric Oxide – Latest Evidence on Supplements, Diets, and More, n.d.)
What Does Nitric Oxide Have To Do With Diabetes?
People with diabetes have trouble producing Nitric Oxide, which can affect blood vessels and blood pressure. Two of three people with diabetes report having high blood pressure or taking prescription medications to lower their blood pressure. (Diabetes and High Blood Pressure | ADA, n.d.)
How To Promote Nitric Oxide Production
Consumption of nitrate-rich vegetables promotes Nitric Oxide production. It is also important to eliminate daily practices that disrupt nitric oxide production.
Things that disrupt nitric oxide production:
1. Antiseptic mouthwash and fluoride. Stop using mouthwash and fluoride toothpaste.
2. Antacids. Stop using antacids, specifically proton pump inhibitors.
3. Stop eating high-carbohydrate and highly processed junk food. High glucose causes glycation of the enzyme that makes nitric oxide and stops it from working.
Things that promote or restore nitric oxide production:
1. Healthy balanced diet with lots of green vegetables. Avoid carbohydrates.
2. Moderate physical exercise.
3. Infrared light therapy or infrared sauna.
4. Safe and effective nitric oxide supplementation. (Bryan, 2022)
In Conclusion
Instead of focusing on what not to eat, focus on functional nitric oxide nutrition to help your body produce this essential molecule. There are supplements available that you can take to help your body make Nitric Oxide. For diabetics, this should be a primary consideration. Take a nitric oxide product prior to exercise to help your body improve circulation and enhance glucose uptake.
Call Utah Family Pharmacy for more information.
Recent Comments