NO2 supplements claim to increase the production of nitric oxide in the blood. Nitric oxide is a gas that plays an important role in the functioning of the cardiovascular system. Since the discovery of this role, nitric oxide has been promoted for cardiovascular health. Nutritional supplement companies market nitric oxide as a workout booster. There are side-effects and contraindications for its use.
What is Nitric Oxide?
Nitric Oxide, a gaseous molecule that acts as a vasodilator, plays a signaling role in the cardiovascular system. When released into the bloodstream, it causes the blood vessels to relax and widen. It thereby controls blood pressure, increasing blood flow during exercise or reducing it during sleep. If the body does not produce enough nitric oxide, the heart struggles to pump blood. Also, the lack of nitric oxide in the blood can cause vascular damage and inflammation.
Medical Benefits
In 1998, Louis J. Ignarro, M.D., co-shared the Nobel Prize in Medicine for his work in discovering the signaling functions of Nitric Oxide. His book NO More Heart Disease outlines proposed medical benefits of increasing nitric oxide production. These benefits include the prevention of blood clots to decrease the likelihood of strokes, the downward regulation of blood pressure to lessen cardiac arrest and increasing the overall health of the cardiovascular system by decreasing plaque and making the arterial and vein walls healthier. To increase production of nitric oxide, Ignarro suggests taking daily amounts of the amino acids arginine and citrulline.
The discovery of nitric oxide's role in the circulatory system led to the development of Viagra, and some scientists have recommended that increased nitric oxide will enhance sexual health.
Nitric Oxide Supplements
Many nutritional companies produce supplements that aim to increase the production of nitric oxide. These products use combinations of the amino acids citrulline and arginine to boost cellular production of nitric oxide. The latter is toxic to breathe and too unstable to ingest. The supplement makers claim that the vaso-dilating effects of nitric oxide will translate into greater blood flow to the muscles during workouts. Greater blood flow will allow greater transport of oxygen and nutrients into the muscles and will take away toxic by-products of exercise more quickly. Supplement makers claim that these benefits will allow users to work out longer and at greater intensities, thus promoting quicker strength, muscle and muscle-endurance gains.
Side Effects
Vasodilators can cause a sudden drop in blood pressure. The possible side effects of any vasodilator include dizziness, headaches, nausea, fluid retention, tachycardia (fast heart beat) and skin rashes.
In a 2004 study conducted at Baylor University's Exercise Sport Nutrition Laboratory and published in The Sports Nutrition Review Journal, weightlifters took 4 g of arginine alpha-ketoglutarate--found in supplements--for eight weeks. They showed no significant side effects. The subjects also reported that the supplementation did not negatively affect their mood, libido or sleep.
Many nitric oxide supplements also contain caffeine, which can cause nervousness, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia.
Contraindications
Those suffering from herpes simplex may want to avoid taking supplements designed to boost nitric oxide. The arginine has been linked to increased outbreaks.
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