Heart Disease: Raising Nitric Oxide Level

The importance of nitric oxide was discovered fairly recently. Nitric oxide is necessary for healthy arteries and thus a healthy heart (cardiovascular system). Nitric oxide is involved in the strength and number of smooth muscle cells of arteries, control of blood pressure, and repair of the interior lining of arteries. Loss of nitric oxide has been linked to increased susceptibility to hypertension (next page), hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus, thrombosis, and stroke. Nitric oxide plays an important role in the protection against the onset and progression of cardiovascular disease.

Nitric Oxide Made By Cells

Endothelial cells are the thin layer of cells that line the interior wall of arteries and veins. Endothelial cells make nitric oxide by converting the amino acid L-arginine into nitric oxide and the amino acid L-citrulline.

Sources Of Arginine

The best common, practical source of L-arginine is real peanut butter (i.e. Smuckers) and peanuts. Other sources are found through the link below. L-arginine in supplement form is said to not enter cells as well as when taken with a supplement of L-citrulline.

More Information On Arginine

“Thus, dietary intake of L-arginine may be critically important in the context of how the human body responds to inflammation and oxidative stress. … In addition, supplementation with L-arginine may reverse the endothelial dysfunction associated with hypercholesterolemia, smoking, and hypertension [7-14].

Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)