ashdevIf you are trying to lower your blood pressure, you might be wondering if nitric oxide can help. The answer is yes, in fact, the right kind of nitric oxide can help lower your blood pressure. Nitric oxide, also known as nitric acid, is an oxygenated molecule that is produced by your body. It helps your blood vessels expand and contract to allow your heart to beat more effectively. A lack of nitric oxide can lead to cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
Endothelial dysfunction is a major initiator of vascular pathogenesis in hypertension
Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are the inner layer of blood vessels. They play an important role in vascular homeostasis. This function is maintained by a complex interaction between the ECs and the surrounding smooth muscle cells. Endothelial dysfunction can lead to the formation of arterial clots and cardiovascular diseases. It can also cause inflammation.
The ECs produce various cytokines that trigger an inflammatory response. Some of these cytokines include IL-1, TNF-a, and TNF-b. These cytokines are proinflammatory and stimulate the proliferation of smooth muscle cells. During inflammation, the balance between the production of anti-inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines is disturbed. This results in an imbalance in the properties of the ECs.
Endothelial dysfunction is also associated with increased oxidative stress, which may contribute to the development of cardiovascular disease. In addition, inflammation can also result in disturbance of the hemostatic system.
An increase in VEGF, an angiogenic factor produced by the ECs, leads to the release of adhesion molecules and MMPs. Adhesion molecules are involved in mediating the interactions of leukocytes and the ECs. As a result of this interaction, the leukocytes transmigrate and the smooth muscle cells migrate into the sub-endothelial space.
Endothelial dysfunction can also be caused by repeated injury to the endothelium. For example, patients who smoke frequently have higher levels of endothelial dysfunction. Smoking also increases the concentration of LDL-cholesterol, which is a known risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
Studies have shown that smoking and endothelial dysfunction are closely related to the development of coronary heart disease (CHD). Patients who are at high risk of CHD should be monitored for endothelial dysfunction.
The vascular endothelial function of coronary arteries was evaluated in a study on outpatients with CHD. The researchers measured different biochemical parameters, such as hs-CRP, FBG, and HbA1C. Results showed that endothelial dysfunction was associated with higher levels of FBG and hs-CRP.
L-arginine is an essential precursor in nitric oxide production
L-arginine is an essential precursor for nitric oxide production, and studies have shown that it decreases blood pressure. However, the effects of l-arginine in the most severe forms of pulmonary hypertension remain unclear. Nonetheless, supplemental l-arginine has been reported to enhance endothelium-dependent vasorelaxation and improve exercise capacity in patients with heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.
In a recent study, Kamada and colleagues tested the effects of l-arginine on vascular functions in a patient with a rare genetic disorder. This patient has a deficiency in a gene that is required for vascular endothelial cells to produce nitric oxide. It was hypothesized that this deficiency could lead to vascular endothelial dysfunction.
The authors studied nitric oxide-dependent endothelial function in this patient, and compared its changes with those in healthy subjects. They noted a ten percent decrease in mean systemic and pulmonary artery pressure and a 20% decrease in pulmonary vascular resistance. Plasma brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) was measured with specific immunoradiometric assay kits.
A cardiopulmonary exercise study was also performed. The ventilatory response to CO2 was monitored, and peak oxygen consumption was determined. Myocardial ischemia was noted with positron emission tomography. Although cardiopulmonary exercise testing is not an exact measure of coronary arterial function, it is a reasonable predictor of myocardial injury.
An oral supplementation of l-arginine was found to improve exercise capacity in patients with heart failure. This supplementation was also associated with a decreased pulmonary vascular resistance and a decrease in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure. While these findings suggest that supplemental l-arginine improves endothelial-dependent relaxation and increases NO production, further research is needed to determine whether it has the same effects on pulmonary hypertension as it does on heart failure.
L-methylfolate prevents adequate nitric oxide production
Aside from a good diet and exercise routine, some women take advantage of a supplement known as l-Arginine to keep their blood pressure under control. While the product is not in question, the jury is still out on whether or not it works and the safety of taking it is in doubt. On top of that, a woman might find herself consuming a hefty dose of the stuff in the form of a male sperm. As such, the best course of action is to avoid any unforeseen scenarios involving the stuff.
For the uninitiated, the best way to go about this endeavor is to pick a top-notch supplement that contains both l-Arginine and L-methylfolate. In addition to the aforementioned vitamin, the supplement also provides 400 mg of elemental magnesium as abis-glycinate / lysinate chelate in the same container. Taking a few drops of this combination supplement can go a long way towards ensuring the fetus’s blood pressure reaches its optimal levels.
The aforementioned supplement might be a tad expensive, so you can save some cash by purchasing it in the form of a multipack. Alternatively, you could always take a shotgun approach and stockpile the ingredients yourself, if you’re into the DIY type.
Effects of co-ingesting nitrate and vitamin C on nitric oxide bioavailability, blood pressure, and cardiovascular reactivity in Hispanic Females
There have been few studies that have examined the effects of combining dietary nitrate with vitamin C. In this study, co-ingesting nitrate rich beetroot juice with vitamin C had positive effects on blood pressure in Hispanic females.
This study compared the effects of nitrate co-ingesting with vitamin C on cardiovascular reactivity, blood pressure, and nitric oxide bioavailability in Hispanic females. These findings contribute to the emerging role of nutrition in the prevention of atherosclerosis.
Chronic inflammation plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease. Atherosclerosis is one of the major causes of mortality from CVD. It is associated with several risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, dyslipidemia, physical inactivity, and stress.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is a key enzyme in cardiovascular homeostasis. Increased eNOS activity causes increased production of ROS and oxidative stress, leading to inflammatory processes and vasodilation of vascular smooth muscle. When eNOS function is impaired, the endothelial cells are unable to produce nitric oxide. The result is hypertension and oxidative stress.
Aspirin inhibits the thromboxane receptor, and in turn, decreases the thromboxane-mediated platelet activation. Therefore, ASA inhibition improves cardiovascular reactivity and reduces the rate of AEs. However, a poor response to ASA has been associated with a 13-fold increase in atherothrombotic complications in patients with CVD.
The rate of AEs was significantly lower in the quartiles with the lowest ASA-free 11dhTxB2 levels. However, these changes did not predict 1-year AEs. Furthermore, a significant upward trend was observed in DM and ACS patients with a poor ASA response.
Although the study did not find a statistically significant effect of nitrate co-ingesting on insulin resistance markers, a 12-week dietary intervention did not affect sVCAM-1 and IL-6. Interestingly, the intake of lycopene and zeaxanthin was inversely associated with these markers.
Effects of white mung bean sprouts on macrophage cytotoxicity
Mung bean is a popular health food in the Asian countries. It contains a wide range of bioactive compounds. These compounds have antimicrobial, antioxidant and anticancer properties. They also have the potential to modify hyperlipidemia and inflammation in the body.
The germination of mung beans has been shown to increase metabolites. In addition, mung beans have been found to have an effective hepatoprotective property.
In this study, mung bean sprouts were inoculated with a bacteriophage cocktail. This treatment reduced Salmonella levels.
The bacterial community composition was analyzed in both control and enhanced sprouts. There were no significant differences in microbial diversity between control and enhanced sprouts.
However, a change in the number of Firmicutes was observed. Also, a decrease in mung bean phytic acid was observed. This was correlated with the polyphenols changing in MeJA-treated beans.
Several studies have demonstrated a protective effect of mung bean on human hepatoma cells. Additionally, rutabagas sprouts have been found to have cytotoxic activity on these human hepatoma cells.
Mung bean is considered as one of the most important pulse crops in the world. It has a short growth cycle and is drought-resistant. Thus, it is widely cultivated in the warmer parts of the continent of Canada and in many Asian countries.
The mung bean is an important dietary fiber and protein source. It is consumed in the majority of Asian households. Moreover, it has the potential to regulate glucose metabolism and to improve insulin sensitivity. As a result, it is known to reduce hyperglycemia symptoms.
Furthermore, it has been shown to modify hyperlipidemia, to modify inflammation and to modulate hypertension. Detailed studies on the phytochemical, pharmacological and functional properties of mung bean are still required.