The Science: What is Nitric Oxide? How does it work?
Oxygen (O2) and cabon dioxide (CO2) are essential gases for life - oxygen fuels energy production, and CO2 regulates respiration and acid-base balance.
There is a third critical gas that is central for healthy physiology, nitric oxide (NO).
Nitric Oxide (NO) is produced in tiny amounts within tissues and acts locally as a fast-acting messenger. Its main role is to relax blood vessels, improve circulation and oxygen delivery - it synchronises blood flow with metabolic demand.
It also helps mitrochondria regulate how cells use fuels like carbohydrates and fats and supports immune and neural signaling.
Together, this gas trio - oxygen supply, carbon dioxide clearance, and nitric oxide regulation, work together to maintain a healthy blood chemistry vital for efficient metabolism and vascular health.
Nitric Oxide is synthesised on demand. It is produced in the body primarily through the action of enzymes called NO synthases (NOS), which convert the amino acid L-arginine into NO and L-citruline in the presence of O2 and cofactors.
There are 3 main isoforms of NOS: endothelial (eNOS), which regulates blood vessel dilation and blood flow; neuronal (nNOS) involved in neurotransmission (brain and the nervous system); and inducible NOS (iNOS), which produces larger amounts of NO during immune responses.