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November 2008

Nitric Oxide

Nitric oxide, not to be confused with laughing gas (which is nitrous oxide), is important for the health of the cardiovascular system, the joints, the lung, the nervous system, the immune system and may even be useful in preventing erectile dysfunction. It is synthesized from L-arginine.

In the journal Arthritis and Rheumatism (August 1993;36(8):1036-1044), an article appeared that reviewed the role nitric oxide plays in joint health. Chondrocytes produce a form of nitric oxide synthase, which forms nitric oxide from L-arginine.

The vascular endothelium produces nitric oxide, which relaxes the blood vessels and improves blood flow. It acts on the autonomic nervous system, through efferent nerves. It can suppress the initial formation of atherosclerosis lesions. It inhibits platelet adhesion and aggregation, suppressing thrombosis, according to an article appearing in The New England Journal of Medicine (July 27, 1995;333(4):251-253). According to an article in The Lancet (Sept 27, 1997;350:901-902) states that in patients with high cholesterol, supplementation with L-arginine improves the health of the endothelium. That article also states that nitric oxide is a powerful vasodilator and inhibits plaque formation.

Also in The New England Journal of Medicine (July 27, 1995;333(4):214-221) is a study that

looked at nitric oxide synthase in the lung endothelia of 22 patients with plexogenic pulmonary arteiopathy, and 24 patients with secondary pulmonary hypertension and compared it to 22 controls. The study found that pulmonary hypertension is associated with low nitric oxide synthase activity. L-arginine supplementation has been show to reduce pulmonary pressure in patients with pulmonary hypertension. Another article in the same issue states that earlier animal studies on pulmonary hypertension have shown that supplementing with L-arginine improves vasodilation.

 

Dr. Paul G. Varnas graduated from National College of Chiropractic in 1983 and has been in private practice in the Chicago area for over 25 years. He is a Diplomate of the American Clinical Board of Nutrition and has written several books and hundreds of articles about health care. Dr. Varnas is the founder of Whole Health America, which is a resource for chiropractors and other health practitioners that provides Web sites, newsletters, marketing material, and other practice development material.

 

We have provided you with a wonderful resource, www.thebetterhealthnews.com. There you will find free newsletters, patient education material, marketing information, health articles and more—all for free.

 

 

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