Nitric oxide (NO) is often called “the miracle molecule of life”. It’s so important! Its main benefit is as a vasodilator, meaning that it relaxes the muscles in the blood vessels, thereby reducing blood pressure. Because NO promotes vasodilation, it can help prevent unwanted blood clots, stroke, and arterial inflammation to reduce your risk of heart disease.
What is it?
NO is also a powerful antioxidant and it has anti-inflammatory properties. Nitric oxide is naturally produced by the body and it is key to both cardiac and brain health. The brain contains 10 times more nitric oxide than any other body organ. NO acts as a neurotransmitter that helps promote memory, information recall and learning. It is essential for your heart and your head.
Nitric oxide is also important for your muscles and joints. During exercise, you produce more NO because both your heart rate and blood flow increase. Producing NO during exercise results in increased blood flow, and that means more oxygen and nutrients are carried through the blood. So be sure to get those daily moves in!
However, you also get benefits from NO when you simply just breathe! A deep inhale through your nostrils promotes deep oxygen exchange which can stimulate NO production to benefit your lungs and dilate the pulmonary arteries.