NITRIC OXIDE (NO):
Much More Than the Perfect Workout Booster
O
ne of the most widely studied molecules of the past three
decades – and unquestionably important from a bodybuilding standpoint – is Nitric Oxide, or NO. Known within
strength training and muscle building circles as an effective way to
promote the coveted muscle ‘pump’ (engorgement of blood within
working muscles). NO also serves to enhance nutrient and oxygen
delivery to muscle tissue, regulates insulin secretion, increases
muscle velocity and elevates power output. NO has, since it was
first used in 1996, increasingly become a staple part of many a
hard training athlete’s supplement regimen.
Nitric Oxide 101
Considered an important signaling molecule given the extent to
which it regulates many of our most critical cellular and physiological processes – most notably for bodybuilders, blood flow,
or hemodilation – NO is an essential ingredient in most good
pre-workout formulations. Aside from its cell volumizing bodybuilding benefits, NO’s positive effects extend to immune system integrity, the regulation of cell death, and neurotransmission: respectively,
NO may encourage good health, enhance the structural stability of
our healthy cells and promote sounder nervous system functioning
to improve physical and mental performance.
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Natural Muscle Magazine
The NO Breakthrough
Originally termed Endothelium-Derived Relaxing Factor (EDRF) after scientists had first identified its blood vessel relaxant properties,
and its role in influencing vascular tone, NO (at first assumed to
be a protein like other signaling molecules) was discovered to be
a highly reactive gas. It was subsequently named Nitric Oxide and
has since had over 60,000 scientific papers published on it.
In 1992, NO was named Molecule of the Year by the prestigious
journal, Science. The pioneering work researchers Louis Ignarro,
Robert Furchgott and Ferid Murad conducted on Nitric Oxide
won them a Nobel Prize in 1998. However heavily studied and
clinically proven a substance is, however, that does not necessarily
correlate with its efficacy in real life situations. A noteworthy,
publishable effect may be of a greater or lesser nature and its
application may not have real world significance, or at best its usefulness may be debatable. Fortunately for hard training athletes,
NO is the real deal.
May 2015
Prime the Pump to Build the Muscle
Nitric Oxide’s artery dilating properties increase blood flow to
working muscles in response to NO production – ok, but how? This
is how it works…
The endothelium (the central layer of cells which comprise our
arteries) releases NO in the presence of the enzyme Nitric Oxide
Synthase (NOS), whereupon NO informs the smooth muscle cells
of our artery walls to relax (they do so by dilating). As a result,
blood pressure is driven down and blood flow is increased.
BOTH EXERCISE AND PROPER
SUPPLEMENTATION BOOST NOS,
AND SUBSEQUENTLY NO PRODUCTION.
Whenever NO enters the bloodstream, blood flow improves.
Scientists discovered that by increasing NO production beyond
normal levels human performance may be significantly elevated.
The typical effects of supplementally derived NO include massive
muscle pumps; improved power output; greater recovery between
sets; and enhanced muscle growth (due in part to enhanced