Nitric oxide is a molecule that plays a crucial role in vascular disease. Nitric oxide has a number of actions that lead to relaxation of blood vessels, regeneration of the endothelium (the inner lining of arteries), and inhibition of platelet clumping which makes the blood thinner. The role of nitric oxide in vascular disease has been investigated over the past two decades and scientists have discovered that this molecule is involved in many cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis and thickening of the endothelium. In addition, nitric oxide has been used as a therapeutic tool to treat diseases that range from recurrent narrowing of arteries to inhibiting clotting events. Many commonly used medications have their therapeutic actions through the production of nitric oxide.
Impotence and nitric oxide
One of the main physiological causes of
impotence, or erectile
dysfunction, is inability of the blood vessels in the penis to dilate
enough to allow blood flow and engorgement. The most important chemical
involved in this process is nitric oxide.
Arginine, an amino acid
available as a supplement, can
help make more nitric oxide but the doses required are high and the
effects may not last for long.
Fortunately, there are several herbal supplements that can help dilate
blood vessels, including ginseng and others less known but more powerful. Passion Rx has a combination
of several potent herbal extracts that help dilate blood vessels and
improve erectile function, along with libido and sensation.
PASSION
Rx---
Formulated by Ray Sahelian, M.D. for Men and Women
Nitric Oxide Enhancer
Passion
Rx is a bestseller
How quickly does Passion Rx work?
Passion Rx improves blood flow, sensation, stamina, and sexual urge within a
few days of use. Some people may notice the effects within a few hours, for
others it may take a week or two. Our feedback
thus far indicates more than 80% user satisfaction by the end of the first two
weeks.
There are two versions of Passion Rx: with, and without, yohimbe.
Dr. Sahelian and his research staff have tested various doses and extracts of
dozens of herbs from a number or raw material suppliers to determine
the ideal dosage and combination for optimal aphrodisiac properties with the fewest side
effects. After years of trial and error, a
UNIQUE proprietary
blend with 15 herbal extracts from the best raw material suppliers has been created. This UNIQUE aphrodisiac blend is a
close kept secret only known to the doctor and his research staff. You will only find this exact combination in Passion Rx.
Click Passion Rx to buy or to sign up to a FREE newsletter
Sign up to a
FREE Supplement Research Update
newsletter. Twice a month you will receive an email with a review of several studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics
and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Passion Rx supports and enhances:
In recent years science has made breakthroughs in
the understanding of sexual dysfunction. But, for hundreds of years,
civilizations around the world have known about locally grown herbs that achieve
wonderful results with far fewer side effects than prescription drugs.
Now, renowned physician and herbal
expert Dr. Ray Sahelian, M.D., author of Natural Sex Boosters, has
discovered a combination of exotic herbs from the Amazon jungle, India, China,
Malaysia, and Africa, that provides a
natural solution for those seeking an alternative to synthetic drugs.
The potent herbal extracts and nutrients in Passion Rx include
acetylcarnitine
nutrient, ashwagandha, catuaba, cnidium monnieri,
coleus forskohlii, damiana
herb,
dmae,
horny goat weed
herb,
maca herb,
mucuna pruriens,
muira puama, passion flower, pfaffia paniculata, rhodiola, shilajit,
tribulus terrestris, and
tongkat ali. A
version of Passion Rx has
yohimbe.
More Nitric Oxide chemistry
Nitric oxide is formed from the conversion of L-arginine by an enzyme
called nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide can act on neurons in the penis
casuing dilation of the corpus cavernosum. Nitric oxide is released from nerve
endings and endothelial cells and stimulates the activity of guanylate cyclase,
leading to an increase in cyclic guanosine-3',5'-monophosphate (cGMP) and,
finally, to cavernous smooth muscle relaxation.
Nitric Oxide Supplement
There are products that claim to be nitric oxide supplements, but I can't
see how nitric oxide, a fleeting neurotransmitter, can be made into a supplement. However, if the supplement
includes arginine that converts into nitric oxide, that's different. Or the
supplement may have certain nutrients or herbs that make it more likely for the
body to make nitric oxide or to keep the nitric oxide levels higher once they
are made. It would not be accurate to claim a product is a nitric oxide
supplement, but it could be accurate to make the claim that substances within
the product could enhance nitric oxide production.
Nitric Oxide side effects
One theoretical potential of very high levels of nitric oxide is low
blood pressure.
Nitric Oxide Research Update
Effects of soy germ isoflavones and hormone therapy on nitric oxide
derivatives, low-density lipoprotein oxidation, and vascular reactivity in
hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women.
Menopause. 2006 Oct 2; From the 1School of Pharmaceutical Sciences,
University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil; 2Dante Pazzanese Institute of
Cardiology, Sao Paulo, Brazil; and 3InCor Heart Institute, School of
Medicine, University of Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo, Brazil.
To evaluate the effects of soy germ isoflavones and hormone therapy on
vascular reactivity, the formation of nitric oxide derivatives, and lipid
peroxidation in hypercholesterolemic postmenopausal women. Women were
treated with soy germ, 17beta-estradiol or 17beta-estradiol +
noretisterone acetate for 3 months after taking placebo for 1 month. The
plasma concentrations of nitrite + nitrate and S-nitrosothiols were
evaluated by gaseous phase chemiluminescence; nitrotyrosine,
electronegative low-density lipoprotein, and estradiol levels were
determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; cholesterol oxides and
isoflavones were determined by gas chromatography and high-performance
liquid chromatography, respectively. Results: Soy germ isoflavones and
hormone therapy induced a decrease in nitrite + nitrate, electronegative
low-density lipoprotein, and cholesterol oxides, as well as an increase in
S-nitrosothiols. Soy germ isoflavones lowered electronegative low-density
lipoprotein, and cholesterol oxides more efficiently than did hormone
therapy. Only soy isoflavones inhibited nitrotyrosine formation. A
significant improvement of vascular reactivity was only seen in women
treated with 17beta-estradiol. Conclusions: The soy germ isoflavones and
17beta-estradiol, alone or associated with noretisterone acetate, in the
doses and forms used here, have similar effects on the bioavailability of
nitric oxide. Soy germ treatment inhibited lipid peroxidation more
effectively than hormone therapy.
Acute consumption of flavanol-rich
cocoa and the reversal of endothelial
dysfunction in smokers.
J Am Coll Cardiol. 2005 Oct 4;46(7):1276-83.
This study was designed to assess the effect of flavanol-rich food on the
circulating pool of bioactive nitric oxide and endothelial dysfunction in
smokers. Studies suggest that smoking-related vascular disease is caused by
impaired nitric oxide synthesis and that diets rich in flavanols can increase bioactive
nitric oxide in plasma. CONCLUSIONS: The
circulating pool of bioactive nitric oxide and endothelium-dependent vasodilation is
acutely increased in smokers following the oral ingestion of a flavanol-rich
cocoa drink. The increase in circulating nitric oxide pool may contribute to beneficial
vascular health effects of flavanol-rich food.
Cardiovascular effects of the phytoestrogen genistein.
Curr Med Chem Cardiovasc Hematol Agents. 2004 Apr;2(2):179-86.
Phytoestrogenic molecules have received a great deal of attention over
the last few years because of their potentially preventive roles against a
few of today's most prevalent chronic diseases, namely cardiovascular
diseases, osteoporosis and hormone related cancers. Of the several
phytoestrogens, genistein in particular has been shown to be the most
efficacious in animal models and experimental studies. Genistein in vitro
relaxes rat arteries by a nitric oxide dependent mechanism and enhances
the dilator response to acetylcholine of atherosclerotic arteries.
Genistein supplementation improves endothelial dysfunction induced by
oophorectomy in rats and reduces infarct size in an experimental model of
myocardial ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Furthermore, genistein in
postmenopausal women increases plasma nitric oxide breakdown products,
reduces endothelin-1 levels and improves endothelial dependent
vasodilation in post-menopausal women. All these findings, taken together,
would suggest that this molecule might represent an attractive alternative
for cardiovascular protection.
Acetylcholine -induced vasodilation is mediated
by nitric oxide and prostaglandins in human skin.
J Appl Physiol. 2005 Feb;98(2):629-32.
Acetylcholine can effect vasodilation by several mechanisms, including
activation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase and prostaglandin (PG)
production. In human skin, exogenous acetylcholine increases both skin
blood flow (SkBF) and bioavailable nitric oxide levels, but the relative
increase is much greater in SkBF than nitric oxide. This led us to
speculate acetylcholine may dilate cutaneous blood vessels through PGs, as
well as nitric oxide. To test this hypothesis, we performed a study in 11
healthy people. We measured SkBF by laser-Doppler flowmetry (LDF) at four
skin sites instrumented for intradermal microdialysis. We conclude that a
portion of the vasodilation effected by exogenous acetylcholine in skin is
due to nitric oxide; however, a significant portion is also mediated by
PGs.
Nitric oxide, human diseases and the herbal products that affect the
nitric oxide signalling pathway.
Clin Exp Pharmacol Physiol. 2003 Sep;30(9):605-15.
1. Nitric oxide is formed enzymatically from l-arginine in the presence of
nitric oxide synthase. Nitric oxide is generated constitutively in
endothelial cells via sheer stress and blood-borne substances. Nitric
oxide is also generated constitutively in neuronal cells and serves as a
neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic
nerve endings. Furthermore, Nitric oxide can also be formed via enzyme
induction in many tissues in the presence of cytokines. 2. The ubiquitous
presence of nitric oxide in the living body suggests that nitric oxide
plays an important role in the maintenance of health. Being a free radical
with vasodilatory properties, nitric oxide exerts dual effects on tissues
and cells in various biological systems. At low concentrations, nitric
oxide can dilate the blood vessels and improve the circulation, but at
high concentrations it can cause circulatory shock and induce cell death.
Thus, diseases can arise in the presence of the extreme ends of the
physiological concentrations of nitric oxide. 3. The nitric oxide
signalling pathway has, in recent years, become a target for new drug
development. The high level of flavonoids, catechins, tannins and other
polyphenolic compounds present in vegetables, fruits, soy, tea and even
red wine (from grapes) is believed to contribute to their beneficial
health effects. Some of these compounds induce nitric oxide formation from
the endothelial cells to improve circulation and some suppress the
induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase in inflammation and
infection. 4. Many botanical medicinal herbs and drugs derived from these
herbs have been shown to have effects on the nitric oxide signalling
pathway. For example, the saponins from ginseng, ginsenosides, have been
shown to relax blood vessels (probably contributing to the antifatigue and
blood pressure-lowering effects of ginseng) and corpus cavernosum (thus,
for the treatment of men suffering from erectile dysfunction; however, the
legendary aphrodisiac effect of ginseng may be an overstatement). Many
plant extracts or purified drugs derived from Chinese medicinal herbs with
proposed actions on nitric oxide pathways are also reviewed.
Nitric oxide helps patients with SARS
For patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome
(SARS), inhaling nitric oxide leads to improved oxygenation and less need for
mechanical ventilation, according to a new report.
Nitric oxide or NO (not to be confused with nitrous oxide "laughing gas, NO2)
has dilating properties, and is sometimes used to help babies with breathing
problems, for example.
Although nitric oxide can halve the risk of developmental problems in premature
babies with undeveloped lungs, the gas could be harmful to newborns who are too
small and too ill. Doctors should avoid using nitric oxide treatment during the
first week of life in premature babies who are seriously ill and weigh less than
1,000 grams (2.2 pounds). Short-term use of inhaled nitric oxide cannot be
considered an effective rescue therapy for very preterm infants with profound
respiratory failure.
Nitric Oxide for Premature Babies
Infants born prematurely are at increased risk for a chronic lung
disease, called bronchopulmonary dysplasia, associated with prolonged use of
oxygen therapy or a respirator. Adding nitric oxide (NO) to the air they breathe
can reduce that risk in some infants, and may also improve other outcomes.
Herbs that help produce or
enhance nitric oxide
There are countless herbs and herbal extracts that can help make more nitric oxide
or stimulate nitric oxide release within endothelial cells. I have
just listed a few and will add more with time.
Apocynum substance
Chrysin herb
Cacao has polyphenols
Ginseng is used for energy
and sexual enhancement
Nitric oxide may be called a hormone
Nitric oxide and blood
transfusions
Much of the stored blood given to millions of people every year may lack nitric
oxide which is vital to delivering oxygen to body tissues. Nitric oxide helps
keep blood vessels open. However, it begins breaking down as soon as blood goes
into storage. Unfortunately, oxygen cannot get to the tissues that need it
without nitric oxide,
Nitric oxide questions
Q. I am a bodybuilder that has been taking the supplement Nitric Oxide to help
gain muscle mass. I also have a erectile dysfunction. I like to know if Viagra
and the supplement Nitric Oxide can be taken together, and what side effect are.
A. There is no such thing as far as we know of nitric oxide itself
in the form of a supplement since nitric oxide is a gas, and many companies have
a ' nitric oxide ' supplement product and each one of them has a different
composition or ingredients. Many of these ' nitric oxide supplement ' products
have arginine. Therefore, we really don't know what you mean by ' the supplement
Nitric Oxide. '
Q. I saw you website and thought you may be able to
direct me to information re: nitric oxide side effects. My brother was recently
taking NO2 from GNC, he has had a severe reaction and was hospitalized due to
psychosis. He has no prior history of any type of psychiatric disorder. Is there
any research regarding psychiatric side effects of nitric oxide supplement?
A. There are various products out there that claim to increase
nitric oxide levels. A product that is called Nitric Oxide does not necessarily
mean it has nitric oxide in it since NO is a gas that cannot be taken as a
supplement. Some herbs and nutrients may increase the body's production of
nitric oxide. As far as NO2 from GNC, we took a look at the product on the
internet, It appears that there is a product NO2 from MRI, it says, :NO2 Black
represents a quantum leap in nitric oxide science. First, NO2 Black sets the
standard by giving you the purest Arginine-AKG (ArginPure) Delivered with its
clinically tested extended-release delivery technology, pHylex9. Second, NO2
Black's revolutionary "NOS-Enhancing" peptide fraction up-regulates nitric oxide
synthase (NOS) and increases your nitric oxide levels as much as 950% over
baseline arginine derived nitric oxide (ADNO). Third, the NO2 Black formula
includes alpha-lipoic acid, designed to boost your insulin sensitivity and
nutrient uptake. Simply put, NO2 Black is the most potent nitric oxide generator
ever conceived.*
We have not seen any studies that have evaluated NO2 levels in
humans when given this NO2 product. You may wish to ask the manufacturer what
studies have been done and published in a reliable medical journal, and also
what side effects have been reported.
Q. Though I test in the normal range of testosterone, I
have trouble with erections when I need them and am wondering if there is a
blood test to determine the level of nitric oxide in a person's system and
whether I am in the normal range? Though you mentioned that l-citrulline is not
good for getting erections, would it safely increase the level of nitric oxide
in my system so when I need to have an erection I will have enough nitric oxide
in my system to help me?
A. Nitric oxide is a transient substance in the bloodstream and
there are no easy tests in a doctor's office to determine levels of nitric
oxide. A blood test for nitric oxide at one specific time would mean nothing
since levels can fluctuate tremendously throughout the day. Citrulline or
arginine may raise nitric oxide levels, but their effect is transient. Rather
than focusing on nitric oxide levels, consider trying any of a number of sexual
enhancing herbs or supplements that work in multiple ways to improve erections.