Why This Invisible Gas is More Than Just Hot Air
My fascination with nitric oxide began decades ago with my mentor, Ferid Murad (RIP), before he won a Nobel Prize; perhaps most of you were not on this planet yet. At first, it was strictly academic, an intriguing puzzle wrapped in biochemical pathways and cellular processes.
But the more I studied it, the more I realized that this gas — yes, a gas! — plays a role in our health that’s not only fascinating but sometimes miraculous.
And yet, its story is far more complicated than most supplements on the market make it sound. Let me take you behind the scenes of this so-called “miracle molecule.”
If you’ve never thought about nitric oxide (NO) beyond the science lab, you’re not alone. It might sound like a term you’d hear from a chemist or in the pages of a high school biology book. But nitric oxide is far from just a line in a textbook.
For years, scientists have marveled at this little gas’s potential in the human body — improving circulation, enhancing energy, helping the heart, and even helping older men like me have erections.
And yet, if you walk into any health store today, you’ll find products that claim to “boost nitric oxide” without a whole lot of science to back it up.
The Power of an Invisible Gas
When people hear about nitric oxide, they might often picture something industrial or toxic. But our bodies actually produce nitric oxide naturally, and when it’s in balance, it works wonders.
This gas acts as a messenger, sending signals from cell to cell, dilating blood vessels, and helping our blood flow more easily.
The effect?
More oxygen reaches our tissues, and our muscles, heart, penis, and even our brain can work more effectively. Imagine nitric oxide as a sort of silent partner in your daily wellness journey.
But here’s where things get tricky.
Nitric oxide is incredibly difficult to store, process, and deliver to our bodies in supplement form. Unlike vitamins or minerals that can be neatly packed into a pill, NO is a reactive gas — think of it like trying to capture lightning in a bottle.
Yet, if you look at the shelves in any health store, you’ll see all kinds of products that promise to “increase your nitric oxide levels.”
The problem?
Most of them don’t have the means to actually do so.
The Rise of “Miracle” Nitric Oxide Supplements
The demand for nitric oxide “boosters” began as more research showed its benefits for circulation and energy levels.
Unfortunately, a lot of companies saw dollar signs instead of science and started selling products that are at best ineffective and at worst misleading.
Nitric oxide supplements, typically made from ingredients like L-arginine and beetroot powder, are marketed as a magic bullet, promising “instant” boosts in energy and cardiovascular health.
However, only a small fraction of these actually contain the necessary ingredients — or the proper delivery mechanisms — to increase nitric oxide effectively.
How to Really Support Nitric Oxide Levels
Supporting nitric oxide levels in the body isn’t about miracle pills or quick fixes; it’s about understanding how our own body naturally produces this gas and how to support it.
Foods like leafy greens, beets, and citrus can give our body the building blocks it needs to make nitric oxide naturally.
Exercise, too, helps increase its production.
So, what’s the takeaway?
Nitric oxide is a marvel of biology, but like any fascinating breakthrough, it’s complex and not easily bottled.
It’s worth being a little skeptical of any product that promises “easy boosts” in NO levels. Think of nitric oxide as a partner in your wellness journey, something to be supported naturally, not as a quick fix in a bottle.
If you enjoyed this story you may check out a relevant story from my mentor Dr Mehmet Yildiz (Main) who explained it much better than me and in a more structured way.
Three Tips to Boost Nitric Oxide and Lower Heart Disease/Stroke Risks
It is possible to increase nitric oxide production with lifestyle habits.medium.com
Thank you for reading my thoughts and feelings.
As a disclaimer, my stories, of course, never include health or professional advice.
I am a retired healthcare scientist in his mid-70s, and I have several grandkids who keep me going and inspire me to write on this platform. I am also the chief editor of the Health and Science publication on Medium.com. As a giveback activity, I volunteered as an editor for Illumination publications, supporting many new writers. I will be happy to read, publish, and promote your stories. You may connect with me on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Quora, where I share stories I read. You may subscribe to my account to get my stories in your inbox when I post. You can also find my distilled content on Subtack: Health Science Research By Dr Mike Broadly.
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