Nitric oxide. The underrated molecule crucial to blood flow, nutrient delivery, and cardiovascular health.
Atherosclerosis, and heart disease is a modern day pandemic (other than COVID-19) which is further exacerbated by exceptionally high inflammatory diets that include rancid vegetable oils, higher ratios of omega-6’s compared to omega-3’s and the end all be all of impaired health; stress. There’s a lot that goes into the body’s natural production of nitric oxide but to give a quick summary, nitrates are required. Nitrates are converted into nitric oxide through a process that involves various amino acids, enzyme pathways, and circulatory systems. Many diseases stem from the problem of blood flow. From arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and gastrointestinal illness to things more common like ED, cold/clammy hands, and brain fog.
In Chinese and ayurvedic medicine there’s the idea of chi or prana, a life force within the body that brings about strong vitality, health, and vibrant feelings. When these energy pathways are blocked or “clogged” it can manifest as any number of diseases or symptoms. Sounds oddly similar to the big word here; circulation. Circulation quite literally means to move to and fro or around something. When someone says they have “poor circulation” it means things aren’t getting where they need to go. Now how do we enhance circulation, nitric oxide, prana and or chi?
- Exercise: specifically aerobic exercise 15-45 minutes a day (at least)
- Foods high in healthy nitrates: Beet and pomegranate juice, garlic, and dark chocolate are a few of my favorite but cruciferous vegetables can also help out with blood flow and free radicals.
- Pranayama breathing: Known as lions breath (Ujjayi) this constricts the back of the throat and activates the vagus nerve. Our rest and digest response.
- Deep tissue massage and stretching: Abhyanga, dry brushing, yoga etc..
- Sauna: Either a traditional dry sauna or infrared sauna is even better. Especially when combined with natural sunlight.
- Vitamin D: Paramount to overall immune health, bone and joint strength, and circulation!
- Stress reduction: Any and all activities that reduce racing thoughts, pain in the body, and provide Zen/calm even if its only for a couple minutes can work wonders for circulation. When we are in fight or flight mode, one of the first things the body does is restrict blood flow to extremities and redirects it to internal organs.
The majority of these ideas have been reiterated over and over by health care professionals in both eastern and western practices. The key is picking a couple to incorporate into your daily life. As a lover of biohacking and life “cheat codes” I find a nitric oxide stack with amino acids to be incredible during a strength/light cardio workout, followed by a sauna session with dry brushing, and topping it off with a light medicated abhyanga massage. Now, nobody has time to do all that every day. But once, maybe twice a week, for general wellness and to occasionally feel like a Greek god not only works wonders for cardiovascular health and self-esteem but also reduces your chances of dying!
Stay fit, stay sexy, and get this out and into circulation!
The Science of Life 