Along with many other bodybuilding supplements, nitric acid supplements have gained popularity in recent times. It is said that nitric acid, or NO, is a performance booster. It has many benefits, including early muscle recovery. But, we must make an informed choice when we pick a nutritional supplement. The research made on nitric acid supplements is too limited, and more research is required. Although we can find out about these supplements, what research is already updated.
What are some natural sources of nitric acid?
If you are looking for the great potential benefits of nitric acid, you should know that it is available in many food sources as well. Some of such foods are beetroot, arugula, carrots, etc.
What are some benefits of nitric acid supplements?
As per the U.S. Department of Defense, nitric oxide is a gas that the body naturally produces and that enhances blood flow by relaxing blood vessels. This is the reason why it is usually included in the pre workout supplements, these supplements make a promise to give you more strength and stamina. Nitric acid is not directly present in so called nitric acid supplements,” as its only available form is gaseous. So what is the actual meaning of nitric acid supplements?
Nitrates, which are present in amino acids such as L-arginine and L-citrulline, are present in these supplements.
Dairy products, red meat, chicken, and fish are all natural sources of the amino acid L-arginine, which is a component of proteins. Watermelon, nuts, legumes, and beef all contain the amino acid l-citrulline.
The data that showcases the positive effects of nitric acid or nitrate is mixed.
Some of its already proven benefits are:
- Heart health: According to Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, intake of nitric oxide regularly has heart related benefits. It can help you to reduce muscle stiffness, lower blood pressure, and improve blood flow in the carotid arteries. It is important to note that this research was done on animals and not humans.
- Quicker recovery: according to a few researchers nitric oxide can improve the oxygen delivery to muscles, this can help reduce muscle soreness and athletic performance as well post workout.
Studies have revealed that consuming nitric oxide supplements may increase tolerance to exercise, as per the Sports Medicine article. These researches were done on young people of around 16 years of age and not elite athletes or older women.
- Improves erectile function: as we have read about nitric oxide already that it improves blood flow. There has been research about whether or not it improves the condition of erectile dysfunction. The results pointed out that it does help people who have mild to moderate level erectile dysfunction.
- Helps with the condition of Preeclampsia: Preeclampsia, a type of elevated blood pressure condition that can happen during pregnancy, can be harmful to both the mother and fetus. According to a 2005 study the women who took L-arginine supplements for a long period of time had reduced blood pressure readings. Then those pregnant women who did not take L arginine.
However, more study is required on many such women to achieve more promising results.
Other advantages reported
Nitric oxide is used for a diverse range of purposes, many of which are not supported by scientific evidence.
- Promotes weight loss
- enhancing lung health in cystic fibrosis patients
- Helps with altitude sickness
- enhancing healing after severe trauma or injury
- Reduce the symptoms of common cold
- memory loss’s negative effects are minimized
- Helps reducing diabetics ulcers
The majority of these advantages are anecdotal, which means that although some people may have mentioned an advantage, there is no evidence supported by any scientific research.
Are there any side effects of using nitric oxide supplements?
For most people, taking nitric oxide supplements has no side effects. When there is an occurrence of side effects, they are frequently minor and may consist of:
- Diarrhea
- bloating
- heartburn
- stomach pain
- heart palpitations
- headache
- Nausea
But there are a few other side effects of nitric oxide supplementation for some people. Some of them are:
- Cirrhosis: Nitric oxide should be taken with caution by those who have cirrhosis because it may worsen liver function.
- Deficiency in guanidinoacetate methyltransferase: it is a rare genetic condition in which a person who lacks the enzyme which converts arginine to creatine which is supposed to be a waste product. Nitric oxide supplements shouldn’t be consumed by those who have this insufficiency.
- Lower the blood pressure levels: if a person already has a low blood pressure they should not consume a nitric oxide supplement because of the risk of lowering the blood pressure even further. Usually, doctors advise that people stop taking this supplement if they are about to have surgery.
Nitric oxide supplements may also interfere with some medications, like those for diabetes or low blood pressure. If you are thinking about taking a nitric oxide supplement, it is important that you consult a doctor first about whether or not you should take this supplement. If yes, then in how much quantity. It is important to check and ensure that you are not taking anything that can interfere with the supplement and cause side effects.
Conclusion
Nitric oxide supplements have been on the market for decades. However, the scientific evidence that we require to back up the safety and usability of these supplements is only partially successful. Usually, doctors do not advise taking them. Rather, most doctors would ask you to start by making modifications to your lifestyle. It is said that it can be life altering in a great manner.
For most people, there are no side effects of consuming nitric oxide supplements, hence, it can be a good choice for such people, and they can use them. But, one has to make sure that they do not have any sort of medical condition that can be harmed by the consumption of nitric oxide supplements.
One must take advice from the doctor before taking nitric oxide or any other dietary supplement to ensure that they are making a right choice which will not harm them in any way.
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