You may only be aware of nitric oxide (NO) if you are an athlete or exercise regularly, as this molecule is often underestimated in health. However, this compound is responsible for regulating many physiological processes in the body, such as blood flow, and acts as a signaling messenger for hormones and neurotransmitters. Deficiencies of NO can lead to chronic health issues that can affect the cardiovascular, hormone, and immune systems. This article will provide guidance on how low levels affect your health and how to test for NO levels so you can effectively balance NO for improved health outcomes.
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What is Nitric Oxide?
NO, also called nitrogen monoxide, is a gas formed from the oxidation of nitrogen and is an integral part of chemical signaling in regulating certain body functions. The molecule NO is much more reactive than other molecules because it has a free radical and can easily diffuse through cells allowing it to have many different signaling functions in the body. NO is produced in the body from L-arginine, an amino acid, and has many applications in health and human function.
What is The Role of Nitric Oxide in the Body?
NO has many roles in the body. It can cause blood vessels to dilate, control communication between nerve cells, and trigger a release of hormones such as human growth hormone (GH) and insulin. It also plays a role in the supply and demand of oxygen in the body and regulates blood flow. It also relays signals to cells and acts as a messenger for the cardiovascular, nervous, and immune systems.
Symptoms and Indicators of Low Nitric Oxide Levels
Since NO is responsible for vasodilation and regulating blood flow, deficiency of NO symptoms is typically related to decreased blood circulation. The following are signs and symptoms of low nitric oxide levels:
● Narrowed blood vessels
● Inflamed artery walls
● Permeable vascular walls
● Elevated blood sugar
● Muscle soreness
● Impaired erections in men
● Decreased wound healing
Which Health Conditions Are Associated With Low Nitric Oxide Levels?
Balanced NO levels are associated with cardiac health, physical performance, healing, blood flow, and oxygen levels. Therefore, deficiencies in NO can affect all of these body systems leading to conditions such as high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, blood clots, erectile dysfunction (ED), and type 2 diabetes. A decrease in NO can lead to endothelial dysfunction, which can decrease blood flow in the blood vessels, potentially contributing to elevated blood pressure, artery inflammation progressing to atherosclerosis, increased production of platelets leading to blood clots, and permeability in the blood vessels exposing tissues to harmful substances.
Deficiencies in NO can also lead to type 2 diabetes as it regulates the secretion and signaling of insulin to control blood sugar levels. The impaired blood flow is also the most common cause of ED in men, called vasculogenic ED. Additionally, NO aids in initiating the initial inflammatory response, fostering cell growth, facilitating collagen production, and promoting the development of fresh blood vessels, and disruptions in this process can lead to decreased wound healing. Conditions like asthma have also been indicators of NO deficiency.
How Do You Test For Nitric Oxide Levels?
There are three different ways that nitric oxide levels can be tested. They include a blood and saliva sample or a breath test. Blood or plasma testing is rarely done because of its inaccuracy due to the instability of NO. Therefore, testing through plasma is not valid. Assessing levels of nitric oxide is pretty straightforward using salivary indicator strips.
Saliva test strips are also available. They can quantity the amount of NO present in saliva, and the color change of the strip corresponds to the overall bioavailable nitric oxide within the body during the test.
The breath test to assess for NO levels is also a valuable tool for diagnosing and controlling asthma. This test will evaluate the NO volume in an exhaled breath, with elevated levels indicative of airway inflammation and lung swelling.
Functional Medicine Labs That Help Individualize Treatment Plans For Patients With Low Nitric Oxide Levels
Functional medicine labs are used to assess for, rule out, or manage conditions that may be associated with low nitric oxide levels. Here are the labs that practitioners utilize:
Cardiometabolic Screening
The cardiometabolic test provides a comprehensive look into cardiovascular health. It measures cholesterol levels and assesses for diabetes and inflammation. This assessment can help evaluate endothelial function and the associated conditions such as ED, atherosclerosis, and other cardiovascular diseases that deficiencies in NO levels might affect.
Blood Clotting Factors
Deficiencies in NO can lead to blood clotting disorders. Therefore, testing would be recommended to assess these risk factors if you have symptoms associated with NO deficiency and risk for blood clotting disorders. Prothrombin measures the time it takes for blood to clot and can help assess for blood clots.
Hormone Panel
The DUTCH complete panel assesses 35 different hormones and neurotransmitters. NO deficiencies can lead to hormone and neurotransmitter signaling disruptions, in which testing for these levels would be recommended to evaluate for any associated symptoms or conditions such as ED in men. Low testosterone levels, vascular issues, or a mix of both can cause ED. If NO is suspected, this test can also provide measurements of neurotransmitters that may be affected.
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Summary
NO is a potent and frequently overlooked signaling molecule that regulates many functions in the body, such as blood circulation and the cardiovascular system, hormones, neurotransmitters, and immune responses. Assessing levels of NO levels through salivary or breath tests can be beneficial to provide guidance on any deficiencies that may impact heart, hormone, or immune health, allowing qualified practitioners to help you rebalance these levels effectively.
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