Do you know what was named "Molecule of the Year" in 1992? And what subject earned three pharmacologists the Nobel Prize in 1998 for furthering our understanding of how it affects cardiovascular health?
Nitrogen dioxide. It rarely gets the attention it deserves. If you want to reduce inflammation or improve your digestion, sleep quality, immunity, memory, and behavior, you should understand nitric oxide and how your oral health influences whether your body can produce enough of it.
Do you believe that good oral health is all about mouth sterilization? Wrong. Your body will not be able to produce enough nitric oxide if the bacteria in your mouth are not in a healthy balance.
What Is Nitric Oxide’s Role in the Body?
Nitric oxide is best known for its role in heart health as a potent vasodilator and blood pressure regulator, making your blood vessels supple and flexible, allowing them to withstand pressure changes. However, the blood vessels in the gums, like the blood vessels in the kidney, are among the smallest and most delicate in the body, making them vulnerable to high blood pressure.
Nitric oxide is not the same as the "nitrate-free" label on your deli meats. Nitrates and nitrites have a bad reputation due to a specific form that is added to preserve processed meats like bacon and hot dogs, which, when cooked, can form harmful compounds called nitrosamines, which are known to cause cancer. This compound is also frequently confused with the nitrous oxide gas used to treat anxiety at the dentist's office—the two are completely unrelated!
How to Boost Your Body’s Nitric Oxide Production
Protect the Enterosalivary Circuit
Consume a diet rich in whole foods. Include a variety of probiotic and fiber-rich foods, as well as healthy fats from plants and animals, and consume plenty of nitrate-rich vegetables such as leafy greens and root vegetables such as beets.
Mouth Tape
Nitric oxide has a very short half-life in the body (a few seconds) and must be constantly supplied. The nasal passages produce 25% of total nitric oxide, and it is critical that they remain moist through nose breathing.
Include L-arginine and L-citrulline-rich foods
L-arginine and L-citrulline are amino acids produced by our bodies and found in certain foods. L-citrulline (found mostly in watermelons) is a precursor to L-arginine (found mostly in meats like turkey, pork, chicken, lentils, and nuts like pumpkin seeds and walnuts). Nitric oxide is produced by L-arginine, and an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase (or NOS).
Exercise
Exercising your muscles causes the release of oxygen and nutrients, as well as the release of endothelial nitric oxide, resulting in relaxed arteries and increased blood flow. Maintaining nitric oxide levels requires regular exercise.
Eat Chocolate
Researchers discovered that eating dark chocolate increased nitric oxide levels while decreasing systolic blood pressure. But make sure it's dark and low in sugar. The darker, the better, as it contains more epicatechin, a beneficial polyphenol that stimulates higher levels of nitric oxide.
Use Nasal Spray
Try it for 6-8 weeks, twice a day, to see if it helps—you should notice better breathing. The benefit of using a nasal spray like Xlear in this manner is that you avoid the need for steroids; many people wait until they feel a cold coming on before using a nasal spray, but you can use something like Xlear preventatively.
Should I Take a Nitric Oxide Supplement?
If the oral microbiome foundation is not healthy, supplementation is pointless. Instead, take a probiotic designed specifically for oral health. Make sure your oral health routine nourishes your oral microbiome, which means avoiding bactericidal mouthwashes and eating a microbiome-friendly diet.
There appears to be strong scientific evidence supporting the use of L-arginine for heart disease and peripheral vascular disease but not for erectile dysfunction, diabetes, or athletic enhancement.