Nitric Oxide

By Grant Schneeberger

What is it?

• A gas• Created in the body by enzymes breaking

down an amino acid called L-Arginine into the amino acid L-citruline.

What does it do?

• Nitric oxide is used in many bodily functions.– Blood vessel dilatation– Reducing blood pressure– Neurotransmission (communication) between

cells.– Fighting pathogens– Helps the endocrine system

What this means to bodybuilders

• According to a study done at Baylor University a bodybuilder can expect:– No significant changes in body mass or composition– Significant changes in strength levels

• During the 8 week study, it was shown those taking nitric oxide could bench an average of 13 lbs more on a 1 rep max then the placebo group.

• While no body composition changes were shown in the 8 week study, the strength increase indicates that it is possible a 12-16 week study would have shown an increase in lean muscle mass for the non placebo group.

Bodybuilders cont.

• In older studies performed by Elam RP and Nagaya N. increased levels of arginine in the body showed:– Increases in strength and lean body mass– Enhanced recovery from chronic stress– Enhanced immune function– Significant increase in peak oxygen consumption– Coronary vessel vasodilatation (dilation of blood

vessels)

What the Supplement Companies tell you (taken from Muscletech’s NaNO Vapor)

• None of these claims have been negated or proven. You decide for yourself.– Increases blood flow which “feeds” your muscles as you work

out and helps to maximize workouts.– Rapid muscle “pumps” (muscles become engorged with

blood while working out and pump creating a more cut defined look)

– Amplified training intensity and explosive muscle strength gains.

– A decrease in inflammation present in the body• To bodybuilders this means less pain due to subjecting your

muscles to extreme stress by lifting.

Dosage

• There isn’t a standardized dosage and the recommended dosage ranges from 3-30 grams a day, the best method to determine what is good for you is the “tolerance and mapping” technique. You would just take a small dosage for a week, note the benefits and the side effects, and then increase the dosage until the benefits are maximized and the side effects minimized.

Common Side Effects

– Nausea, – mild headaches– Cottonmouth– skin irritation– changes in heart beat while your nitric oxide levels

are elevated.

Works Cited

• http://www.exrx.net/Nutrition/Supplements/NitricOxide.html

• http://www.muscletech.com/products/nanovapor/index.shtml

• www.Google.com/images