NO & Pump Booster

The latest craze in supplements are the so-called "NO boosters". These NO boosters promote blood flow to the muscles by ensuring rapid expansion of the blood vessels. This results in a pronounced muscle pump effect. Now you probably know the psychological benefits of a pump: to train harder!

But what exactly are these NO boosters and how do they work?

Nitric oxide (NO) is a freely occurring gas that is produced in the body and is used by the body to communicate with other cells in the body. To produce this gas, enzymes in the body break down the amino acid arginine. Nitric oxide is a molecule consisting of a nitrogen atom and an oxygen atom. The production of nitric oxide happens when the amino acid L-arginine is converted to L-citrulline by an enzyme group known as nitric oxide synthase (NOS).

What does it do and what scientific studies provide evidence to support this

Despite the claims of some in the supplement industry, a large body of scientific literature exists to substantiate the effects of nitric oxide products. The following was written in May 1996 in a paper for the Royal Society and Association of British Science Writers:

"Summary research papers continue to flood the scientific journals and insights into the biological activity and potential clinical uses of nitric oxide (NO): a gas that controls a seemingly limitless number of functions in the body. Each revelation adds to an already rich body of knowledge about nitric oxide and its control of blood circulation, regulating activities in the brain, lungs, liver, kidneys, stomach and other organs. The molecule regulates blood pressure through a recently recognized process that contradicts all textbook wisdom. This causes an erection of the penis by dilating the blood vessels and controls the action of almost every passage in the body, from swallowing to defecation. The immune system uses nitric oxide to fight viral, bacterial and parasitic infections and tumors. Nitric oxide transmits messages between nerve cells and is associated with the process of learning, memory, sleep, pain perception and probably depression. It is a neurotransmitter in inflammation and rheumatism."

Since the above was written in 1996, products containing nitric oxide have continued to be promoted by those in the medical profession, as well as athletes, in the course of increasing muscle size. The above citation notes that nitric oxide controls blood circulation, transmits messages between nerve cells, is a transmitter of inflammation, and is associated with the process of pain sensation. The well-known drug sildenafil citrate for erectile dysfunction contains nitric oxide and is responsible for increasing blood flow to the penis. The fact that nitric oxide causes the increase in blood flow should be of interest to bodybuilders, as increased blood flow serves to deliver more nutrients to muscles, helping muscles to grow larger when stressed. The fact that nitric oxide is also known to reduce inflammation should also be of interest to bodybuilders, as it has the potential to reduce pain associated with extreme stress on muscles.

Nitric oxide also affects the endocrine system. It affects the release of gonadotroptin-releasing hormones, as well as the release of adrenaline from the adrenal medulla.

Studies

Studies conducted in the USA have demonstrated the safety and strength in terms of performance gains in athletes in heavy training who take supplements with nutritional factors that promote the production of NO in the body. "The clinical studies showed why all bodybuilders report notable gains in lean mass, overall body recovery, increased strength, prolonged resistance and sustained muscle gain." (Dr. Ed Byrd)

In the clinical study, the group taking the supplements that supported the increase of NO in the body gained muscle resistance and substantial potency, while the other group taking placebo lost it. NOTE: The NO users achieved up to 12.9 watts/second. Over the course of the rigorous 8-week training schedule, the "placebo group" lost an average of 69 watts of potency, while the "NO group" gained a mean of 78 watts. It is important to emphasize that the researchers once again confirmed that supplements that stimulated the natural production of NO in the body can be considered safe and are not classified as doping.

Who needs it and what are some deficiency symptoms

Everyone NEEDS nitric oxide to carry out key physiological processes within the body. From a bodybuilder's perspective, nitric oxide supplementation can prove useful in increasing growth by increasing blood flow to certain parts of the body. Furthermore, men who suffer from erectile dysfunction will also find nitric oxide supplementation useful. Signs of deficiency include the inability to achieve and maintain an erection, physical weakness and extreme fatigue. Most nitric oxide supplements contain the amino acid arginine-alpha-keto-glutarate.

Recommended dosage and side effects

With any product containing an amino acid, overdosing is a possibility. Dosing with too much arginine can lead to diarrhea, weakness and nausea. Clear dosing guidelines have not yet been given, so it is best to do what is known as "tolerance working out". Take a small dose over a week, note the benefits and the side effects, and increase the dosage until the benefits are maximized and the side effects minimized. Over time, these two things will converge and you will arrive at the optimal dose. This process is similar to "receptor elaboration" for bodybuilders using insulin. According to recent studies, it is now believed that doses of five to ten grams can produce the best results. Even doses of 20 grams or more did not lead to any side effects. But we are of the opinion that this person is addicted.

You can't go wrong by taking three to five grams of arginine on an empty stomach, 20-30 minutes before training and immediately after getting up in the morning. This is the most common recommendation.

Many protein powders are enriched with amino acids including arginine. With this in mind, you should pay particular attention to how much arginine you are taking in conjunction with any supplements you are taking.

Nitric oxide can activate (produce) light in the firefly

When fireflies are charged with NO, they start flashing very quickly or the light shines constantly. Now if that isn't power!

Further interactions between food and NO

• Palmitic acid - a primary fatty acid in saturated fat - inhibits NO production in blood vessels. However, stearic acid, which is also found in meat, is said to have no effect on NO production.
• Scientific studies show that polyphenol compounds in red wine and green tea both support NO functions and counteract uncontrolled inflammation.
• Various herbs such as ginseng and ginkgo biloba also increase NO activity.
• As a B-complex vitamin, folic acid is particularly important for regulating NO levels in blood vessels.
• Cocoa increases NO production immensely due to its high flavonoid content.
• CLA lowers NOS in the blood vessels.
• Studies show that NO also improves liver function.
• Testosterone promotes the release of nitric oxide: it stimulates the activity of NOS enzymes as well as IGF-1, the main active ingredient in growth hormone.

References

1. Brown, G.C., Nitric oxide and mitochondrial respiration. Biochim. Biophys. Acta, 1411, 351-369 (1999).
2. Lipton, S.A., Neuronal protection and destruction by NO. Cell Death Differ., 6, 943-951 (1999).
3. Murad, F., Nitric oxide signaling: would you believe that a simple free radical could be a second messenger, autacoid, paracrine substance, neurotransmitter, and hormone? Recent Prog. Horm. Res, 53, 43-60 (1998).
4. "Nobel Honors Pioneers of NO", The Scientist, November 23, 1998.
5. Huang, LE et al. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274: 9038-9044.
6. Liu, Y et al. (1998) J. Biol. Chem. 273: 15257-15262.
7. Dawson, T.M., et al, Regulation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase and identification of novel nitric oxide signaling pathways. Prog. Brain Res, 118, 3-11 (1998).
8. Wang, Y., et al, Nitric oxide synthases: gene structure and regulation. Adv. Pharmacol., 34, 71-90 (1995).
9. Kinsella JP, Neish SR, Ivy DD, et al. Clinical responses to prolonged treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn with low doses of inhaled nitric oxide. J Pediatr 1993; 123:103-108.
10. Geggel RL. Inhalational nitric oxide: A selective pulmonary vasodilator for treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. J Pediatr 1993; 123:76-79.
11. Davidson, D. Inhaled nitric oxide (NO) for neonatal pulmonary hypertension. Am Rev Respir Dis 1993; 147:1078-1079.
12. Kinsella JP, Abman SH. Inhalational nitric oxide therapy for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Pediatr 1993; 91:997-998.
13. Kinsella JP, Neish SR, Shaffer E, et al. Low-dose inhalational nitric oxide in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Lancet 1992; 340:819-820.
14. Roberts JD, Polaner DM, Lang P, et al. Inhaled nitric oxide in persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn. Lancet 1992; 340:818-819.
15. Fineman JR, Wong J, Soifer SJ. Hyperoxia and alkalosis produce pulmonary vasodilation independent of endolithium-derived nitric oxide in newborn lambs. Pediatr Res 1993; 33:341-346.
16. Rossaint R, Falke KJ, López F, et al. Inhaled nitric oxide for the adult respiratory distress syndrome. New Eng J Med 1993; 328:399-431.
17. Bone RC. A new therapy for the adult respiratory distress syndrome. New Eng J Med 1993; 328:431-432.
18. Kinsella JP, Toews WH, Desmond H, et al. Selective and sustained pulmonary vasodilation with inhalational nitric oxide therapy in a child with idiopathic pulmonary hypertension. J Pediatr 1993; 122:803-806.