Studies Show Nitric Oxide Helps Improve & Support Better Respiratory Breathing 

New findings show how red blood cells deliver oxygen to the tissues in our bodies. Cardiologist Jonathan Stamler, a professor of medicine at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH, and colleagues describe how they conducted a study that shows the respiratory cycle involves three gases and not just two.

Current thought shows the respiratory cycle as using blood to transport two gases - Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide. Red blood cells transport freshly inhaled oxygen from the lungs and transport it to cells in the tissues of the body and then bring back carbon dioxide which is a waste product of the metabolism - to be then exhaled from the lungs. 

As per the study goes Prof. Stamler and colleagues argue the respiratory cycle also involves a third gas, nitric oxide. Nitric oxide controls the release of oxygen from red blood cells to the tissues that need it. 

Proteins in red blood cells that pick up oxygen from the lungs also need to carry nitric oxide to enable blood vessels to open up and supply the oxygen to the tissues. 

Nitric Oxide commonly known as one of the most, if not the most important molecule in the body is responsible for opening up blood vessels, by relaxing the inner muscles of the blood vessels. This increases oxygen delivery throughout the body, increases blood circulation, and supports normal blood pressure levels and also gets your blood flow going to all your extremes! 

Our body produces nitric oxide, but as we age the body has a much more difficult time producing nitric oxide so it needs more from outside sources. By the time we are 40 we lose 50% of our nitric oxide which causes thickening arteries and inflammation. 65% loss by 50’s which may cause stiff walls and calcium build up. 85% loss of nitric oxide by the time we are in our 60’s which may involve a rupture of the arteries/blood vessels, heart attack, or a stroke.

Studies: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10665837/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2700444/