A gas that strengthens the blood vessels, nitric oxide also supports muscle congestion during weight training. Its use has many benefits for the body, especially for sportsmen and women. But what exactly is it? And why does nitric oxide work to enhance sports performance? To find out more about this food supplement often used as a pre-workout, here is the information about it.
Nitric oxide, what is it?
Also called nitric oxide, nitric oxide is more precisely a molecule made up of the endothelium, i. e. the inner layer of blood vessels. It is also created by the brain and white blood cells. Nitric oxide functions as a chemical messenger for the billions of cells that make up the body.
In general, nitric oxide determines the health of a person. This is why if an individual has a high amount of nitric oxide, it means that he or she has indeed a lower blood pressure. This will also result in a lower risk of heart attacks and good structures. On the other hand, a minimal amount of nitric oxide increases the possibility of high blood pressure, stroke, heart attacks and diabetes.
Nitric oxide is characterised by its shape. As nitric oxide is a gas, it therefore appears as a gas under normal pressure and temperature regulations. This kind of gas does not last long, its lifetime is only a few seconds. The synthesis of nitric oxide is done by the body, more exactly from arginine and oxygen.
What are the benefits of consuming nitric oxide?
As Nitric Oxide is a food supplement, there are of course many benefits to the body.
For everyone
Nitric oxide is good for your health and well-being. It helps to strengthen memory through the diffusion of data between neurons. It also provides strength and endurance. Nitric oxide is also excellent for regulating blood pressure. The person who consumes it will have less risk of inflammation. Apart from that, the individual who has sufficient nitric oxide has a good quality of sleep. In addition, his immune system will be able to fight not only against bacteria, but also against tumours. He will also have a good gastric motor and excellent insulin control. Apart from that, his nutrients and oxygen are distributed in better conditions.
For athletes
Nitric oxide is also suitable for sportspeople. For a bodybuilder, its consumption has several positive effects. First of all, it increases anabolism and the speed of retraction of damaged fibres. In addition, these positive consequences are linked to the vasodilatation caused by the release of nitric oxide. As a result, the person will have a larger vessel diameter. In addition, oxygen, water and nutrients will be in great quantity to be able to produce energy and to recover it afterwards. The anabolism of his body and the speed of repair will increase afterwards.
With regard to the increase of nitric oxide, several ingredients can be found. Citrulline is considered to be the most effective. If the athlete feels a lack of energy during training, it is advisable to consume more nitric oxide so that the muscles have more energy. This will enable him to work actively.
Increase Nitric Oxide levels, how to do it?
There is a way to increase nitric oxide levels naturally. First of all, the practice of sports such as weight training is the first technique. By doing this type of physical movement, the muscle contractions increase the concentration of this nitric oxide in the muscles. There will be a swelling and vascularisation of the muscles, also called muscle congestion.
What foods produce nitric oxide?
Note that nitric oxide is not only available as a dietary supplement, but also in foods. Several types of food produce nitric oxide, namely:
- almond, celery and pomegranate
Arginine and citrulline, two amino acids excellent for boosting nitric oxide levels
In the event that the individual wishes to radically increase their nitric oxide levels, it is quite possible to opt for amino acids.
Arginine
This type of amino acid introduces nitric oxide directly. Because of its ability to increase the amount of nitric oxide, it is often used in the treatment of heart disease, cholesterol and high blood pressure. With its function to improve insulin fragility, it is also used in the treatment of diabetes. Finally, its ability to help the body move away from ammonia allows it to become a powerful detoxifier. This mechanism usually occurs during the high protein diet. Thus, arginine is a referent amino acid for nitric oxide multiplication.
Citrulline
Citrulline is also an amino acid that increases the amount of nitric oxide more efficiently than the previous one. It can also be converted into arginine. In contrast to arginine, it can be taken in high doses over a long period of time. To reduce blood pressure and the risk of heart disease, consuming citrulline is the best solution. According to health professionals, consuming citrulline before sport increases performance and also reduces fatigue.
With regard to increasing sports performance, nitric oxide can be used especially in bodybuilding. This type of sport is excellent for the congestion of the muscles and the anti-acid property. Moreover, it is the reducer of accumulated lactic acid. Therefore, it will reduce fatigue, enhance performance and help muscle recovery. Ultimately, nitric oxide improves the use of glucose during physical effort.
