There are many benefits of Nitric Oxide. The most well-known benefit is its ability to improve the effectiveness of bodybuilding and workouts.
With increased NO in the body, the muscles get the right amount oxygen and nutrients throughout the bloodstream. This not only helps see results faster, but it cuts down recovery time after heavy workouts.
This is one of the simplest steps to increasing NO levels. When we feed our bodies nitrate-rich foods, the nitrites become nitric oxide when they reach the stomach. You’d be surprised at how simple it is to find and eat nitrate-rich foods.
Some examples of these foods are: collard green spinach, radishes, arugula, celery, carrots, parsley, beets, strawberries, and cabbage.
In one January 2008 report featured in the British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, studies showed that just 3g of L-Arginine supplement a day for a week drastically increased nitric oxide levels. This was compared to a placebo group. L-Arginine supplements are easy to find, safe, and simple to take.
3. Citrulline Supplements to Increase NO Levels
Citrulline is another essential amino acid that when taken as a daily supplement, can increase the nitric oxide in the body. It boosts arginine levels as well because the kidneys convert L-citrulline to L-arginine later on.
Those who suffer with atherosclerosis can benefit greatly from Citrulline supplementation because it has been shown that it can relax the artery walls and increase blood flow.
4. Cut Back on Fatty Foods
An important way to ensure you are keeping your NO levels up is by avoiding foods with a high fat content. Eating these kinds of foods is not only counterproductive when trying to build muscle mass, but it also temporarily slows down blood flow in the arteries. This causes a disruption in the production of NO.
A great way to boost NO levels is by moderate exercise or physical activity. Be sure to exercise for at least 30 minutes in order to achieve these results. A study from the U.S. National Library of Medicine found that even just simple aerobic exercise for a half hour greatly increased the levels of NO in the body, especially in the elderly.
Examples of moderate exercises include: Jogging, power walking, aerobics, bicycling (at least 3 mph), hiking, swimming laps, and even heavy yard work or gardening.
Omega-3 fatty acids are always mentioned as a way to improve overall health and performance. They improve both cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as lower a person’s risk for blood clotting. These help to improve nitric oxide levels. With a normal diet, it’s easy to get enough (sometimes too much) omega-6 fatty acids. It takes a little more effort to ensure you have the omega-3 you need.
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