Nitric Oxide was discovered before oxygen: All mammals produce it. Specifically it is produced in our arteries to help with vasodilation. It was in 1998 that the Nobel prize for medicine was awarded when it was discovered that NO acts as a signalling molecule in the cardiovascular system. Now we know that Nitric Oxide is produced by every cell in our body! But our ability to produce it diminishes by around the age of 60. A lack of NO certainly contributed to my stroke.
So, here’s my nitrate-rich lunch my lovely wife made!
Best Nitrate-Rich Foods:
Beetroot – One of the richest sources of nitrates, boosting endurance and circulation.
Spinach – High in nitrates and packed with iron, vitamins, and antioxidants.
Arugula (Rocket) – One of the most nitrate-dense leafy greens.
Celery – Contains good amounts of nitrates and supports hydration.
Lettuce – Especially Romaine and butterhead varieties.
Radishes – Provide nitrates along with digestive benefits.
Swiss Chard – High in both nitrates and essential minerals.
Bok Choy – A nutrient-dense, nitrate-rich leafy green.
Carrots – Contain moderate amounts of nitrates and are great for eye health.
Watercress – A powerhouse of nitrates and antioxidants.
Just came across a video suggesting that using mouthwash kills off bacteria in the mouth that normally produce nitric oxide and also it can unbalance gut microbiome. I only tried mouthwash for the first time this week cos of infectedtooth. Hey ho
I noted in another of your posts about humming.I didn’t know that but am aware humming loudly is good for vagus nerve and thus parasympathetic system.
For years I have self soothed by humming and am totally unaware of it!! Call it a nervous tic if you like but it is annoying for others that I do know. Stimulating the gag reflex also good for stimulating parasympathetics and gargling vigourosly.
Very true. Yes, there are a bunch of things like looking up into a corner which stimulate the vagus nerve. The ones you mention are good. The important thing is to come out of sns and enter pns or our ans will suffer. NO has a role in this too. Ciao, R
