Nitric Oxide Support

What Is Nitric Oxide?

Nitric oxide is a signaling molecule produced naturally by the body. One of its best-known functions is helping blood vessels relax and widen, supporting healthy blood flow and vascular function.

Your body can produce nitric oxide through several different pathways. One particularly interesting pathway starts with dietary nitrate.

Nitrate from foods — especially vegetables such as leafy greens and beets — can enter your bloodstream and eventually become concentrated in your saliva.

Once nitrate is back in the mouth, certain beneficial oral bacteria can convert it into nitrite.

Nitrite can then contribute to the formation of nitric oxide.

The pathway looks like this:

Dietary nitrate → saliva → oral bacteria → nitrite → nitric oxide

Research has shown that the oral microbiome is an important part of this nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway.

That means the health of your mouth may have implications far beyond your teeth and gums.

Your Oral Microbiome Matters

Your mouth is home to hundreds of species of microorganisms.

Not all bacteria are harmful. In fact, a healthy oral microbiome contains a diverse community of microorganisms that perform important functions.

Some oral bacteria are capable of reducing nitrate to nitrite, which is an important step in the body’s nitric oxide pathway.

Research has found that disrupting these nitrate-reducing bacteria — including through certain antiseptic mouthwashes — can reduce the conversion of nitrate to nitrite.

This doesn’t mean that you should stop using a mouth rinse prescribed by your dentist.

Rather, it highlights an important concept:

The goal of oral care isn’t necessarily to eliminate every microorganism. It’s to maintain a healthy, balanced oral environment.

What Does Nitric Oxide Do?

Nitric oxide is involved in many processes throughout the body.

Adequate nitric oxide availability is associated with:

• Healthy blood-vessel function
• Normal circulation
• Vascular health
• Exercise performance and endurance
• Normal blood-pressure regulation
• Healthy aging

Because nitric oxide plays such an important role in vascular function, researchers have studied dietary nitrate and nitric oxide extensively.

Research on dietary nitrate has found promising effects on measures of vascular function and blood pressure, although nitric oxide supplements should not be considered a replacement for medical treatment or prescribed medications.

Supporting Your Body’s Nitric Oxide Pathway

There are several lifestyle factors that can help support healthy nitric oxide production.

Eat More Nitrate-Rich Foods

Vegetables are an excellent source of naturally occurring dietary nitrate.

Some nitrate-rich foods include:

• Leafy green vegetables
• Arugula
• Spinach
• Beets
• Celery
• Lettuce

A diet rich in vegetables also provides fiber, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients that support overall health.

Exercise Regularly

Physical activity is another important component of healthy vascular function.

Regular exercise can stimulate the body’s natural nitric oxide pathways and support healthy circulation.

Take Care of Your Oral Health

Regular brushing, interdental cleaning, professional dental care, hydration, and a nutrient-dense diet all contribute to a healthy oral environment.

And because the oral microbiome participates in nitrate metabolism, maintaining a healthy oral ecosystem may be another piece of the nitric oxide puzzle.

What About Nitric Oxide Supplements?

For some people, adding a nitrate-based nitric oxide supplement may be an easy way to incorporate additional dietary nitrate into their wellness routine.

One product we have chosen to make available to our patients is Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Support.

Berkeley Life’s current formulation provides a plant-based nitrate blend along with vitamin C, thiamin, vitamin B12, and magnesium. The recommended serving is two capsules once daily with water after food.

The company also states that its formulation has been evaluated in placebo-controlled clinical research examining nitric oxide bioavailability and vascular measures.

Why We Like This Approach

Rather than relying on L-arginine or L-citrulline, Berkeley Life uses a dietary nitrate pathway.

That is particularly interesting from an oral-health perspective because the nitrate → nitrite conversion involves bacteria in the mouth.

The product also provides a convenient, consistent source of dietary nitrate in capsule form.

If you’re interested in exploring nitric oxide support, you can learn more about the product here:

SHOP BERKELEY LIFE NITRIC OXIDE SUPPORT →

Affiliate disclosure: This is an affiliate link. If you purchase Berkeley Life through this link, our practice may receive compensation at no additional cost to you. We only share products that we believe may be of interest to our patients.

Who Might Be Interested in Nitric Oxide Support?

Nitric oxide support may be of interest to adults who are looking to take a proactive approach to:

• Healthy circulation
• Cardiovascular wellness
• Exercise and physical performance
• Healthy aging
• Overall wellness

It may be especially interesting for individuals who are already focused on nutrition, exercise, oral health, and other lifestyle strategies that support long-term health.

However, supplements aren’t appropriate for everyone.

If you take medications or have an underlying medical condition, talk with your physician or other qualified healthcare professional before starting a new supplement.

Berkeley Life specifically advises people taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications to consult their physician before use and recommends discussing use around surgical procedures with a physician.

Your Mouth Is Part of Your Whole Body

Modern dentistry increasingly recognizes that the mouth doesn’t exist in isolation.

Your oral microbiome interacts with your diet and your body in ways we’re still learning to understand.

The nitrate-nitrite-nitric oxide pathway is a fascinating example.

What happens in your mouth can influence what happens throughout your body — and what you put into your body can influence the environment in your mouth.

That is why our approach to dentistry goes beyond treating teeth.

We believe in supporting the health of the whole person, beginning with a healthy mouth.

If you’d like to learn more about your oral microbiome, nutrition, nitric oxide, or how your oral health may connect with your overall wellness, ask us at your next visit.

A Note About Supplements

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a healthy diet, medical care, or prescribed medications.

Always consult your physician or qualified healthcare professional before beginning a new supplement, particularly if you take prescription medications, are pregnant or nursing, have a medical condition, or have an upcoming surgical procedure.

Affiliate Disclosure: Our practice may receive compensation if you purchase Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Support through the affiliate link on this page. There is no additional cost to you. Our affiliate relationship does not affect our commitment to providing evidence-informed dental and wellness recommendations.