Nitric Oxide/Arginine Cure?

I’ll bet you haven’t heard much about nitric oxide (NO) and its role in preventing heart disease and other cardiovascular disorders.

There is much research showing that NO is required by our body for cardiac heath, and in 1998 Dr. Robert F. Furchgott, Dr. Louis J. Ignarro and Dr. Ferid Murad were awarded the Nobel Prize in Medicine  “for their discoveries concerning ‘nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system.’ ”

You’d think that with heart disease on the rise every passing year, this would get some attention and media press.

Especially since studies show that cardiovascular and heart disease still remain the leading cause of death in the U.S., despite the onslaught of countless pharmaceutical drugs.

In 2009, when addressing the topic of the  ‘Nation’s Leading Killers,’ the Center for Disease Control made the following statement:

“…Heart disease and stroke are among the most widespread and costly health problems facing our nation today, yet they are also among the most preventable. Cardiovascular diseases, including heart disease and stroke, are the first and third leading causes of death for both men and women in the United States. They account for more than one-third (35.3%) of all U.S. deaths. More than 151,000 Americans who died of cardiovascular diseases in 2005 were younger than age 65…”

Preventable? You bet!

The reason for the lack of media coverage is actually the “status quo” of the medical establishment. If there are inexpensive natural means to raise NO levels in the body, then a damper is placed on the billion dollar profit margin of the pharmaceutical and heart disease business. Yes…business!

What is Nitric Oxide?

First let’s answer the question, “What exactly is nitric oxide (NO)?”

The biochemistry of NO, as with every function of the human body, depends upon enzymes that breakdown substances as a means to creating new substances. In this case, an enzyme known as nitric oxide synthases (NOS) breaks down the amino acid L-arginine to form another amino acid, L-citrulline, which then forms nitric oxide.

Perhaps you weren’t aware of this chemical reaction that takes place in your body. However, you have no doubt seen TV commercials that advertise pharmaceutical drugs to induce this type of reaction.

For example, let’s look at TV ads for erectile dysfunction (ED). Of course the idea here is to increase the blood flow so that a male can achieve an erection. This same “blood flow concept” applies to the reaction of NO and the arteries that support the heart.

The conversion of L-arginine into NO occurs in the blood vessel lining, the endothelium. Once it becomes NO, it has the following effects:

• Increases blood flow due to vasodilatation (widening of the vessels); prevents narrowing
• Prevents fatty deposits (plaque) from sticking to the vessels walls
• Keeps the endothelium elastic

If NO is produced at optimal levels -> then an optimal amount is released into the blood stream -> and is then carried virtually everywhere in the body.

Needless to say, without a healthy functioning cardiovascular system, all major bodily functions (organs, cells, lymphatic system, nutritional status) are severely compromised.  With such a wide range of bodily functions affected, you can now see that the list of potential symptoms would be virtually endless resulting in many different potential diagnoses. And all stemming from the same root cause!

Further, given the unfortunate fact that cardiovascular related conditions such as heart attacks and stroke are so prevalent in the U.S., it is nothing less than a travesty that simple inexpensive alternative treatments are not publicized. And worse, they are disparaged by the multi-billion dollar pharmaceutical industry and modern “healthcare” system.

So what is a simple and inexpensive alternative treatment?

Nitric Oxide and other supplements, such as l-arginine, that promote NO production. The research surrounding these supplements is literally endless and all are showing significant and positive affects! 

Interestingly, l-arginine is nothing more than an amino acid. It is regarded as a “food” when in its free-form state. Free-form amino acids are highly digestible and should be the only form taken. You know an amino acid is in a “free-form” state when you see an “L” in front of the name of the amino acid. Being that these amino acids (including l-arginine) are foods in the purest and simplest form, and are not drugs, they will enhance the immune system rather than suppress it.

Drugs, despite their touted glory, never enhance the immune system! In fact they destroy it!

When your body has adequate NO (even excess), atherosclerosis (plaque formation that is associated with formation of blood clots that result in heart attacks or stroke) is not likely to occur.

Research has even shown that it can be reversed once already present!

Lifestyle Changes

Regardless of whether treatment is in the form of drugs or more natural means, the first step in decreasing and eliminating cardiovascular conditions is making lifestyle changes. Unfortunately however, the phrase “lifestyle change” has become akin to “health-nut,” “holistic,” and “all-natural.”

As a result, these life-saving lifestyle changes are often ignored by those who need to implement change most. And then instead of making vital changes, they continue to smoke, eat processed and fast foods, and don’t exercise despite the known consequences that are sure to come.

[Side Note: Another important natural treatment for atherosclerosis and other blood related conditions such as fibroids is the enzyme serrapeptase. This amazing little enzyme has been shown to reverse plague in the carotid arteries; the most common location for possible blood clot formation.]

With the use of therapies utilizing l-arginine, serrapeptase and other anti-oxides, conditions such as atherosclerosis, stroke, and heart related conditions wouldn’t even rank on our disease statistics scale.

And with anti-oxidants like Vitamin C, Vitamin A and especially Vitamin E (you may want to check out Is There A Natural Alternative To Coumadin?) which prevent the oxidation (destruction) of nitric oxide in the body, how could anyone deny the importance of supplementation?

Natural Supplements or Pharmaceutical Drugs: Would the real scam please stand-up!

Dr. Michelle Kmiec

is a board certified chiropractic physician who also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Biology, and a minor in Medical Research. She is a life-long athlete who after curing herself 100% naturally from MS and anxiety, became an avid nutrition health researcher/promoter. She has been featured in many Health magazines and has been a guest on radio talk shows in the USA, Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. She is the author of Health Freedom Revolution: Exposing the Lies, Deceit and Greed of the Medical Profession’, Founder of Online Holistic Health, and a contributing writer for other popular informative health website/blogs. She is also co-founder of Crazy Meets Common Sense! –  The Podcast that Makes Sense Out of the Crazy, to Help You Live a More Healthy, Fulfilling and Empowering Life!