A New Natural Solution to a Silent Epidemic

Hundreds of thousands of published papers now tout the vital importance of the signaling molecule nitric oxide (NO) for health and longevity. But it’s the population studies examining the real-life benefits of ample NO generation, as well as the effects of NO insufficiency, that comprise the most compelling portion of this research…while at the same time revealing one simple and effective solution to what has emerged as a silent epidemic.

Case in point: Research on native Tibetan highlanders shows that, despite the low barometric pressure of their high-altitude environment causing lower arterial oxygen content, this population is nevertheless able to maintain normal oxygen use that’s comparable to what you would expect from populations living at sea level.¹ It would seem, then, that although they have far less available oxygen to draw from, these Tibetans’ bodies are somehow able to use this reduced oxygen supply in a more efficient manner, through increased blood flow and oxygen delivery.

Studies have confirmed that the key to this vitally important adaptation is higher levels of circulating NO and its active metabolites, the vasodilating properties of which effectively offset any environmental oxygen deficiencies—in fact, the Tibetans’ circulating NO was found to be more than 10 times higher than sea-level controls in the U.S.^2-3

This research drives home the critical importance of the body’s ability to generate NO on demand. But it also points to a concern for another segment of the world population—namely, the growing number of people that research has revealed to be chronically insufficient in this important signaling molecule.

African Americans are among this population, statistically burdened with higher rates of cardiovascular complications—including weight, blood sugar and blood pressure imbalances—compared to their other ethnic counterparts.⁴ A number of reports have noted differences in vascular endothelial function, which is responsible for NO production, between African Americans and Caucasians, with scientists proposing that this may be the result of a gene polymorphism that’s more common to the former population.^5-10

Genetic deficiencies in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD)—an enzyme that plays a role in NO synthesis and vascular function—are also more common in the U.S. black population, leading to impaired NO production and additional oxidative stress on the vascular system.^11-12 Fortunately, however, strategies designed to enhance NO levels among African-American patients have met with great success—yielding improvements in heart health and quality of life.¹³

Then there are hemodialysis patients. Clinical studies indicate that, among subjects undergoing hemodialysis, approaches that address NO bioavailability may be especially important. Results have revealed a 57 percent reduction in blood levels of nitrite and an 84 percent reduction in nitrate after just one pass through a dialysis instrument—a trend that resulted in a cumulative 80 to 90 percent drop in these bioactive NO metabolites after a full 4- to 5-hour dialysis session.^14-17 This would suggest that nitric oxide insufficiency plays an integral part in the poor cardiovascular outcomes of this population… and that addressing this concern could have dramatic benefits.

The examples of Tibetans, African Americans and people undergoing hemodialysis are three extremes. Most of us likely fall somewhere in between. And NO-boosting strategies can be an important factor in supporting optimal health for a huge number of Americans.

That’s why Complementary Prescriptions™ offers Neo40® Daily—a new natural supplement designed to enhance NO levels, which has been clinically demonstrated to improve heart health parameters in patients over 40.¹⁸ For best results, pair this product with Nitric Oxide Test Strips, a salivary assessment system that allows you to monitor changes in your NO status, conveniently and effectively.

References:

1. Beall CM, Laskowski D, Strohl KP, Soria R, Villena M, Vargas E, Alarcon AM, Gonzales C, Erzurum SC. Nature. 2011;414:411-412.

2. Erzurum SC, Ghosh S, Janocha AJ, Xu W, Bauer S, Bryan NS, Tejero J, Hemann C, Hille R, Stuehr DJ, Feelisch M, Beall CM. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2007; Nov 6;104(45):17593-8

3. Levett DZ, Fernandez BO, Riley HL, Martin DS, Mitchell K, Leckstrom CA, Ince C, Whipp BJ, Mythen MG, Montgomery HE, Grocott MP, Feelisch M. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. 2011;(1):109.

4. Benjamin IJ, Arnett DK, Loscalzo J. American Heart Association Basic Science Writing Group Circulation. 2005 Mar 15;111(10):e120-3

5. Lang CC, Stein CM, Brown RM, Deegan R, Nelson R, He HB, Wood M, Wood AJ. N Engl J Med. 1995 Jul 20;333(3):155-60.

6. Gokce N, Holbrook M, Duffy SJ, Demissie S, Cupples LA, Biegelsen E, Keaney JF Jr, Loscalzo J, Vita JA. Hypertension. 2001 Dec 1;38(6):1349-54.

7. Kahn DF, Duffy SJ, Tomasian D, Holbrook M, Rescorl L, Russell J, Gokce N, Loscalzo J, Vita JA. Hypertension. 2002 Aug;40(2):195-201.

8. Tanus-Santos JE, Desai M, Flockhart DA. Pharmacogenetics. 2001 Nov;11(8):719-25.

9. Song J, Yoon Y, Park KU, Park J, Hong YJ, Hong SH, Kim JQ. Clin Chem. 2003 Jun;49(6 Pt 1):847-52.

10. Hooper WC, Lally C, Austin H, Benson J, Dilley A, Wenger NK, Whitsett C, Rawlins P, Evatt BL. Chest. 1999 Oct;116(4):880-6.

11. Leopold JA, Cap A, Scribner AW, Stanton RC, Loscalzo J. FASEB J. 2001 Aug;15(10):1771-3.

12. Leopold JA, Zhang YY, Scribner AW, Stanton RC, Loscalzo J. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2003 Mar 1;23(3):411-7.

13. Ferdinand KC. Am J Cardiol. 2007 Mar 26;99(6B):3D-6D.

14. Go AS, Chertow GM, Fan D, McCulloch CE, Hsu CY. N Engl J Med. 2004 Sep 23;351(13):1296-305.

15. Summaria F, Manca Di Villahermosa S, Tedesco M, Lonzi M, Colarieti G, Chamoun MG, Taccone Gallucci M. Minerva Cardioangiol. 2011 Apr;59(2):121-6.

16. Balsam A, El Kossi MM, Lord R, El Nahas AM. Hemodial Int. 2009 Jul;13(3):278-85.

17. Bryan NS, Torregrossa AC, Mian AI, Berkson DL, Moncrief JB. Kidney International. (under review).

18. Zand J, Lanza F, Garg HK, Bryan NS. Nutr Res. 2011 Apr;31(4):262-9.