Diabetes is the 7th leading cause of death in the United States. Reports show that 10.5% or 34.2 million people in the United States have diabetes and out of those 34.2 million, there are 79,000 deaths annually. (1)  This is a growing problem in the US that is rising. All hope is not lost though. There are ways to manage or prevent diabetes. From things like exercising, eating a healthy diet, medications, supplements, and so much more, the time is now to act. 

 
Here Are some risks associated with Diabetes

• High blood pressure (hypertension) 
• Cardiovascular diseases 
• Strokes
• Heart attacks
• Narrowing of arteries 
• Depression 

How Nitric Oxide Benefits People With Diabetes 

There are some important benefits nitric oxide has on people with Diabetes. People who have diabetes have a reduced ability to produce (NO). That could be one of the reasons why diabetics have an increased risk of Heart Disease. People who suffer from abnormalities in the body’s production of nitric oxide have a high risk of high blood pressure, atherosclerosis, and strokes. (2)

There is one study that determined nitric oxide production can be inhibited by type 2 diabetes. When the production of nitric oxide leads to additional ailments such as kidney disease and heart disease. As a result, some people take nitric oxide to help prevent or manage diabetes. (3) Type 2 diabetes can be caused by being overweight, Obesity, inactivity, and genes. Extra weight in the body can sometimes cause insulin resistance which is common in people with type 2 diabetes. (4) 

Nitric oxide is a molecule that is secreted by the inner lining of your blood vessels. Nitric Oxide helps the smooth muscle layer of blood vessels to relax and dilate. It acts as a messenger molecule telling blood vessels to widen or dilate and to contract or relax like an elastic band. With enough nitric oxide, blood vessels can relax and widen allowing blood to flow from and to the heart. As we age we produce less nitric oxide.

This can cause the cardiovascular system to become less elastic which can reduce the flow of oxygenated blood to vital organs. This is the reason it's so important to have an active lifestyle and a diet that is rich in nitrates which bio converts to nitric oxide and may help maintain normal blood pressure levels and a healthy cardiovascular system.  Nitric oxide plays other roles in the body such as blood pressure regulation immune system support and nerve functions as well as its important role in metabolic control, and production of energy.(5)(6) 

High blood pressure is another common trait of diabetes. High blood pressure (hypertension)  has blood pressure reading above 140/90 and in severe cases blood pressure reaching 180/20 and above. If this is something you are experiencing, seek medical treatment. Several studies have shown nitrate can possibly help lower blood pressure simply by increasing the production of nitric oxide. (7)(8)

Depression symptoms are common in people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Depression can affect diabetes management. There are several studies that show evidence nitric oxide has a prominent role in the pathogenesis of major depression. Nitric oxide modulates norepinephrine, serotonin, dopamine, glutamate, the major neurotransmitters involved in the neurobiology of major depression. Nitric oxide-based antidepressants could possibly be the future drug of choice for major depression, and possibly in the treatment of pharmacoresistant depression. (9)

Narrowing of the arteries or Coronary artery disease is when your arteries narrow or has blockage from a buildup plaque. Coronary artery disease is also called coronary heart disease, ischemic heart disease, and heart disease.  Studies done on the effect of nitric oxide on narrowing arteries have shown that introducing nitric oxide into the body, it may help improve blood flow in the arteries to the heart. (10)

People suffering from diabetes can benefit from an active lifestyle. That's where nitric oxide can assist. Studies have shown that people using nitric oxide can increase overall performance by allowing people to exercise up to 20% longer than average giving time for more results. This helps promote a healthy heart and healthy blood flow. (11) 

There are many different repercussions of diabetes that can potentially be deadly if we do not take action. A clean diet and exercise are among the many things you can do to manage or prevent diabetes. If you are looking for something to help, ask your health professional if nitric oxide could help you in your fight against Diabetes.