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Dhru Purohit Show
How Low Nitric Oxide Drives Heart Disease, Poor Sexual Health, and Chronic Inflammation with Nathan S. Bryan, Ph.D.
Jul 17, 2023
01:51:35
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Quick takeaways
- Maintaining optimal levels of nitric oxide is essential for overall health.
- Maintaining a healthy endothelium is crucial for cardiovascular health.
- Gradually weaning off proton pump inhibitors and implementing lifestyle changes can help restore nitric oxide levels.
- Ensuring optimal nitric oxide production can enhance telomere length preservation, mitochondrial function, and stem cell mobilization for healthier aging.
Deep dives
The Importance of Nitric Oxide for Health
Nitric oxide is a crucial molecule for short and long-term health. It plays a significant role in heart disease, sexual health, blood pressure regulation, Alzheimer's disease, and overall longevity. When the body becomes deficient in nitric oxide, it can lead to symptoms such as increased blood pressure, sexual dysfunction, insulin resistance, metabolic dysfunction, exercise intolerance, and cognitive disorders. Insufficient nitric oxide production is linked to the onset and progression of chronic diseases. Therefore, maintaining optimal levels of nitric oxide is essential for overall health.
The Impact of Endothelial Dysfunction on Cardiovascular Health
Endothelial dysfunction is at the root cause of cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death worldwide. The endothelium, the cells lining blood vessels, plays a crucial role in regulating blood flow, inflammation, and oxidative stress. When endothelial cells cannot produce sufficient nitric oxide due to oxidative stress or uncoupled nitric oxide synthase enzyme, it leads to impaired blood flow regulation, increased inflammation, plaque deposition, plaque instability, and eventually heart attacks and strokes. Endothelial health and nitric oxide production are closely tied, and maintaining a healthy endothelium is crucial for cardiovascular health.
The Impact of Proton Pump Inhibitors on Nitric Oxide Production
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), commonly used as antacids, can have detrimental effects on nitric oxide production. PPIs suppress stomach acid production, which inhibits the breakdown of proteins into amino acids. This, in turn, leads to autoimmune diseases and inhibits nitric oxide synthesis. Prolonged use of PPIs can result in nitric oxide deficiency, exacerbating metabolic disorders and contributing to heart attacks and strokes. Gradually weaning off PPIs and implementing lifestyle changes such as a nutrient-rich diet, balanced exercise, sunlight exposure, and avoiding mouthwash can help restore nitric oxide levels.
The Role of Nitric Oxide in Blood Pressure Regulation
Nitric oxide plays a significant role in blood pressure regulation. Nitric oxide deficiency contributes to high blood pressure or hypertension, which is a major risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. Lifestyle modifications such as avoiding mouthwash, maintaining a healthy diet rich in green leafy vegetables, getting sunlight exposure, and exercise can promote nitric oxide production and help lower blood pressure. Heavy metal toxicity and adrenal tumors can also cause hypertension, but these cases are less common compared to nitric oxide deficiency as the primary cause.
Nitric oxide is a crucial molecule for overall health and longevity
Nitric oxide plays a significant role in various aspects of our health and age-related processes. It is involved in telomere length preservation, mitochondrial function regulation, and stem cell mobilization. These three factors are essential for longevity and healthy aging. Nitric oxide acts as a foundation for these processes, making it crucial for overall wellness. Ensuring optimal nitric oxide production can help enhance telomerase activity, maintain mitochondrial efficiency, and support stem cell function. By prioritizing nitric oxide, along with exercise, a balanced diet, and other lifestyle strategies, individuals can improve their health and well-being.
Nitric oxide is essential for cellular healing and optimal function
Nitric oxide is crucial for cellular healing and function. It is involved in various physiological processes, including blood flow regulation, vasodilation, and oxygen delivery. By supporting nitric oxide production, individuals can enhance their blood vessel health, optimize oxygenation, and improve tissue perfusion. This can lead to improved cellular function, efficient energy production, and overall better health. Nitric oxide serves as a fundamental element for cellular healing and optimal function in the human body.
Nitric oxide deficiency can lead to chronic diseases and health issues
A deficiency in nitric oxide production can have detrimental effects on health. Insufficient nitric oxide levels are associated with endothelial dysfunction, which can contribute to various chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative conditions. The importance of nitric oxide extends beyond its role in blood vessel health, as it also impacts other physiological functions, including erectile function and sexual health. Recognizing the significance of nitric oxide and addressing deficiencies can help prevent and mitigate the onset of chronic diseases and promote overall well-being.
Strategies to enhance nitric oxide production
There are several strategies individuals can employ to enhance nitric oxide production. These include regular exercise, a balanced diet rich in nitrate-containing foods like leafy greens and beets, stress management, adequate sleep, and sunlight exposure. Avoiding certain substances that can hinder nitric oxide production, such as mouthwash and antacids, is also advisable. Additionally, there are products available, such as nitric oxide-based supplements, that can support nitric oxide levels. Incorporating these strategies into daily routines can help optimize nitric oxide production and promote better health outcomes.
This episode is brought to you by Birch Mattress by Helix and InsideTracker.
Each year, approximately 700,000 lives are lost to cardiovascular disease. Shockingly, half of these individuals experience no prior symptoms before an event. Low levels of nitric oxide—a molecule that promotes vasodilation and smooth blood flow—could be largely responsible, and by recognizing the signs of deficiency, we can take steps to raise our levels and lower our risk.
Today on The Dhru Purohit Podcast, Dhru sits down with Dr. Nathan Bryan to talk about why nitric oxide is the single most underrated molecule when it comes to our short- and long-term health.
Dr. Bryan is an international leader in molecular medicine and nitric oxide biochemistry. He’s been involved in nitric oxide research for the past 20 years, and his many seminal discoveries have resulted in dozens of US and international patents. Dr. Bryan's discoveries have led to product and technology innovations that have improved patient care worldwide. He is the founder of Nitric Oxide Innovations, LLC, a privately held, clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company that is actively engaged in the discovery and development of nitric oxide-based therapies.
In this episode, Dhru and Dr. Bryan dive into (audio/ Apple subscriber)
-What happens in the body when we don’t produce enough nitric oxide (1:46 / 1:46)
-The link between nitric oxide and heart health (3:46 / 3:56)
-How nitric oxide is produced in the body (10:04 / 7:11)
-Habits that boost nitric oxide production (12:02 / 9:08)
-How mouthwash inhibits nitric oxide production (18:20 / 16:20)
-Nasal breathing and nitric oxide production (27:15 / 24:19)
-The impact of proton pump inhibitors on creating nitric oxide (32:30 / 29:31)
-High blood pressure and its link to nitric oxide (42:25 / 38:29)
-How morning sunlight creates nitric oxide (45:22 / 42:05)
-Early signs of low nitric oxide levels (58:26 / 55:33)
-Foods that reduce nitric oxide levels (1:07:20 / 1:04:27)
-How to test your nitric oxide levels (1:12:20 / 1:09:23)
-Leafy green vegetables to boost nitric oxide production (1:20:56 / 1:18)
-Future products and prescriptions for boosting nitric oxide (1:34:30 / 1:31:30)
Also mentioned in this episode:
-N1O1.com (get 10% off any of Dr. Bryan’s nitric oxide products with the code DHRU)
For more on Dr. Nathan Bryan, check out: @drnathansbryan drnathansbryan.com.
This episode is brought to you by Birch Mattress by Helix and InsideTracker.
Birch Mattress by Helix is made from organic latex, organic cotton, New Zealand wool, and American steel springs. To get 20% off your Birch Living mattress, head over to birchliving.com/dhru today.
InsideTracker provides detailed nutrition and lifestyle guidance based on your individual needs. Right now, they’re offering my podcast community 20% off. Just go to insidetracker.com/DHRU to get your discount and try it out for yourself.
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