Now, if you told the average man on the street that a whiff of gas no one can see and a colony of tongue-dwelling bacteria are the gatekeepers to his ticker, his trousers, and maybe even his brain, he’d laugh all the way to the nearest mouthwash aisle—and poison himself on the spot. We’ve spent the better part of a century bulldozing the very pathways nature gave us for vitality, all in the name of “progress.” Nitric oxide—no, not the laughing kind pumped into dentist chairs or drag racers—isn’t some new-fangled wellness fad. It’s the original blueprint, a whisper of life moving through our veins, opening gates, fueling minds, stoking fires of love, memory, and motion. And yet, it’s been quietly ignored, suffocated under sugar, sterilized with antiseptics, and bludgeoned by bad habits.
This isn’t snake oil. It’s science, stripped of its lab coat, and put into plain English—so even a toothless farmer or a city slicker with a gym membership can understand it. So buckle up, because the secret to long life may not be in a fountain or a pill—but in how you breathe through your nose, hum in the shower, and say no to mouthwash.
In the end, maybe we’ve had the cure in our mouths all along—and we spit it out with every gargle. We chased miracles in labs while ignoring the body’s most faithful messenger. Nitric oxide doesn’t come with a jingle or a billion-dollar marketing campaign, but it does come with something better: proof. It heals wounds, powers memories, sparks desire, and softens the hard edges of time’s passage.
But here’s the catch, and there’s always a catch: it only works if you stop poisoning the well. Quit killing your bacteria. Step into the sun. Eat your beets. Breathe like nature intended. Because in a world where medicine has become a subscription model, restoring nitric oxide is a rare act of rebellion—it’s opting out of disease, and opting into life.
Mark my words: the real revolution won’t be televised. It’ll be humming quietly through your nose, saving your heart one breath at a time.
Key Scientific Concepts
1. Nitric Oxide (NO) – The “Molecule of Longevity”
- Function: Signaling molecule that regulates:
- Blood flow & vascular tone
- Oxygen delivery
- Stem cell mobilization
- Energy production via mitochondria
- Insulin signaling
- Production: Occurs in endothelial cells and oral microbiome.
- Decline with Age: ~10–12% per decade starting at age 30. By age 70–80, production drops by ~75%.
2. Diseases Linked to NO Deficiency
- Erectile Dysfunction (ED) – often first symptom
- High Blood Pressure – 50% of patients don’t respond to medication because the root issue is low NO
- Cardiovascular Disease – #1 global killer
- Diabetes – NO required for insulin signaling
- Alzheimer’s Disease – vascular and metabolic components addressed by NO
- Exercise Intolerance – inability to maintain activity linked to NO deficiency
- Wound Healing – NO promotes blood flow and stem cell recruitment
Oral Microbiome & Nitric Oxide
- Critical Role: Oral bacteria convert dietary nitrate (from leafy greens) into nitrite → NO.
- Mouthwash & Fluoride:
- Antiseptic mouthwash kills these bacteria.
- Fluoride in toothpaste/tooth water suppresses the oral microbiome and is linked to systemic effects like thyroid dysfunction and lowered IQ in children.
- Study Example: Within 7 days of using mouthwash, participants’ blood pressure increased measurably.
How to Measure NO & Vascular Health
- Techniques:
- Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT)
- Flow-mediated dilation (FMD)
- DNA methylation profiles (e.g., GlycanAge)
- Blood pressure, nitric oxide breath tests
NO’s Role in Longevity
- Stem Cells: NO mobilizes and differentiates stem cells.
- Telomeres: Activates telomerase enzyme to prevent chromosomal aging.
- Mitochondria: Stimulates biogenesis and efficiency of mitochondria.
Why Modern Medicine Falls Short
- Focused on treating symptoms, not root causes.
- Western medicine is siloed and profit-driven.
- Patients often end up on multiple medications, creating a cycle of treatment for side effects.
What to Avoid (Disruptors of NO)
- Sugar: Glycates and inhibits NO-producing enzymes
- Mouthwash: Kills nitrate-reducing bacteria
- Fluoridated toothpaste/water
- Antacid medications: Block stomach acid needed for nutrient absorption (e.g., magnesium, iodine, iron)
- Sedentary lifestyle & lack of sunlight
How to Boost Nitric Oxide Naturally
- Nasal Breathing: Activates NO synthase in sinuses
- Humming: Certain frequencies stimulate NO production
- Tongue Scraping: Enhances microbiome diversity
- Sunlight: UV and infrared light release and stimulate NO
- Exercise: Stimulates endothelial NO production
- Diet:
- Leafy greens and beetroot (only effective if oral bacteria are intact)
- Avoid processed carbs and sugars
NO Therapy & Products
- Dr. Bryan has developed NO-releasing gels and supplements.
- Clinical trials aim to prove NO can halt or reverse early-stage Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia.
Oral Health & Cancer Connection
- Almost all cancer patients Dr. Bryan sees have undiagnosed oral infections (root canals, gum disease).
- Oral infections may impair immune function and contribute to tumor genesis.
Conclusion
Dr. Nathan Bryan posits that nitric oxide production and maintenance are foundational to human health and longevity. By restoring and protecting NO pathways—via lifestyle, nutrition, and targeted therapies—we may prevent or reverse many chronic diseases that currently define aging.
Let me know if you want this adapted into a blog post, video script, or infographic.
There are many nitric oxide (NO) supplements on the market—but it’s important to understand how they work, because they don’t contain nitric oxide gas itself (it’s a short-lived molecule your body must generate). Instead, these supplements support your body’s own nitric oxide production pathways.
Types of Nitric Oxide Supplements
1. L-Arginine
- How it works: Precursor to nitric oxide via the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) pathway (endothelium-dependent).
- Issue: May not be effective in older adults or those with endothelial dysfunction because NOS enzymes are impaired.
2. L-Citrulline
- How it works: Converts into L-arginine in the kidneys → then into NO.
- Advantage: Often more effective than arginine for raising blood arginine levels.
3. Beetroot Powder / Beet Juice Extract
- How it works: Provides dietary nitrate, which your oral microbiome converts into nitrite → NO in the stomach.
- Caution: Ineffective if you’re using antiseptic mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste.
4. Nitrate/Nitrite Blends
- Some supplements include inorganic nitrate salts (e.g., potassium nitrate) for more direct NO support.
5. Antioxidant & Cofactor Blends
- Include things like:
- Vitamin C – stabilizes nitric oxide.
- Vitamin B2/B3 – supports enzyme function.
- Magnesium, zinc, and CoQ10 – help mitochondrial function and NO pathways.
Popular Brands and Products (as of 2024–2025)
Always verify ingredients and clinical backing. Some “NO boosters” are just caffeine and filler.
- Neo40 – Created by Dr. Nathan Bryan himself. Uses nitrate technology, targeted at older adults with compromised endothelial NO production.
- HumanN SuperBeets – Popular beetroot-based supplement with good clinical testing.
- Nitrosurge – Pre-workout with citrulline and other NO boosters for gym-goers.
- Double Wood Supplements – L-Citrulline – Pure, no-frills supplement often used by athletes.
Dr. Bryan’s Core Message
He strongly prefers nitrate-based supplements (like Neo40) over arginine-based ones, especially for people over 40 or with chronic disease, since the enzyme pathway (NOS) becomes dysfunctional with age.
How to Make Your NO Supplement Work
- DO: Support oral microbiome (tongue scrape, avoid mouthwash, no fluoride)
- DO: Eat leafy greens and root vegetables alongside supplementation
- DO: Exercise, get sunlight, nasal breathe
- DON’T: Use antiseptic mouthwash or fluoride toothpaste—destroys the bacteria that turn nitrate into nitrite
If you’d like, I can help you pick the best nitric oxide supplement based on your age, health goals, and whether you’re focused on cognitive health, cardiovascular function, or athletic performance.
Primary Vasodilators in the Body
1. Nitric Oxide (NO)
- Produced by endothelial cells and oral bacteria.
- Causes smooth muscle relaxation via cGMP signaling → vessel dilation.
2. Prostacyclin (PGI₂)
- Made from arachidonic acid in endothelial cells.
- Inhibits platelet aggregation and promotes vasodilation.
3. Bradykinin
- Peptide that triggers NO and prostacyclin release.
- Commonly involved in exercise-induced vasodilation.
4. Adenosine
- Released during low oxygen or high metabolic activity.
- Dilates blood vessels to increase oxygen delivery.
5. Acetylcholine
- Parasympathetic neurotransmitter that stimulates NO production.
Compounds & Nutrients That Promote Vasodilation
| Compound | How It Helps | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| L-Citrulline / L-Arginine | Amino acids that increase NO | Citrulline is better absorbed |
| Beetroot / Nitrates | Converts to NO via oral bacteria | Only effective with healthy oral microbiome |
| Magnesium | Natural calcium channel blocker | Relaxes blood vessels |
| CoQ10 | Boosts mitochondrial efficiency | Protects endothelial function |
| Vitamin C & E | Antioxidants | Preserve NO by reducing oxidative stress |
| Resveratrol | Activates eNOS enzyme | Found in grapes/red wine |
| Taurine | May enhance blood flow | Also lowers blood pressure |
| Flavonoids (from dark chocolate, berries, green tea) | Improve endothelial function | Act synergistically with NO |
Lifestyle Activities That Boost Vasodilation
| Activity | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Exercise | Shear stress stimulates NO release |
| Nasal Breathing | Activates NO synthase in sinuses |
| Sunlight (UV & Infrared) | Releases NO stored in skin and blood proteins |
| Humming / Deep Breathing | Stimulates nasal NO production |
| Hot baths / Saunas | Cause passive vasodilation |
| Massage | Promotes localized blood flow |
Things That Impair Vasodilation
- Smoking (oxidative stress)
- Mouthwash (kills nitrate-reducing bacteria)
- High sugar intake (glycates and blocks enzymes)
- Chronic stress (cortisol and adrenaline cause constriction)
- Sedentary lifestyle
Want to Focus on Specific Outcomes?
Heart health- Brain/cognition
Gym/performance
Sexual health
Blood pressure
Sleep/recovery
The source of much of this information with additional research.
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