The Two Roads To Nitric Oxide:

How Beet Powder and Amino Acids Unlock Better Blood Flow

Beet powder works fast. Amino acids last longer. Which is better for your heart? Let’s break it down.

Nitric oxide (NO) is your body's built-in vasodilator, relaxing blood vessels and improving circulation. But how you generate NO makes a difference. Beet powder takes a shortcut—converting dietary nitrates into NO quickly. L-arginine and L-citrulline take the scenic route, using an enzyme-driven process for a longer-lasting effect. Which one works best? It depends on your goal. If you need a quick boost, go with beets. For sustained blood flow, amino acids are the better bet. Or, use both and get the best of both worlds.

Backed by Science, Trusted by Experts

Brought to you by Nature’s Pure Blend By Steve Moreland, Long-time Wellness Researcher and Host of The Natural Upgrade Podcast

How Nitric Oxide Works (And Why It Matters for Your Heart)

Blood flow is life. It delivers oxygen, removes waste, and keeps your body running smoothly. And the key to better circulation? Nitric oxide (NO)—your body’s natural way to relax blood vessels and increase blood flow.

There are two main ways to make it:

Pathway #1: The Fast Lane (Beet Powder & Nitrates)

Think of beets as the express route to NO. When you eat them, your body converts nitrates into nitrites in your saliva. Once swallowed, stomach acid and enzymes transform nitrites into nitric oxide. The effect? A quick boost in blood flow within 30-60 minutes, lasting up to 6 hours. It’s a simple, efficient process—perfect if you want an immediate impact.

Pathway #2: The Endurance Route (L-Arginine & L-Citrulline)

This method takes more steps but sticks around longer. Instead of relying on dietary nitrates, your body uses an enzyme (eNOS) to convert L-Arginine into nitric oxide. L-Citrulline supports this process by recycling back into L-Arginine, keeping the cycle going for hours. You won’t feel an instant boost like with beets, but once NO production kicks in, it lasts 6-12 hours.

So, Which One is Better?

If you need a quick fix, go with beets. If you want longer-lasting benefits, stick with L-Arginine and L-Citrulline. But why choose? Using both gives you the best of both worlds—fast-acting NO from beets plus sustained production from amino acids.

Final Thought

Nitric oxide is the secret to helping support boosted circulation, healthy blood pressure, and more energy. Whether you take beets or amino acids, the goal is the same—fuel your body’s natural ability to thrive. Want the best results? Stack them together. Your heart will thank you.

A Deeper Scientific Perspective

Metabolic Pathways of Nitric Oxide Production: Nitrate Reduction vs. eNOS Synthesis

Nitric oxide (NO) plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis by modulating vasodilation. There are two primary pathways for NO production in the human body:

1. Nitrate (NO₃⁻) to Nitrite (NO₂⁻) to Nitric Oxide (NO) Pathway (Beet Powder)

2. Endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS) Pathway (L-Arginine & L-Citrulline Metabolism)

1. Nitrate Reduction Pathway (Beet Powder)

This pathway involves dietary nitrates, primarily from sources like beet powder. The process follows these steps:

Step 1: Nitrate (NO₃⁻) Absorption and Reduction

• After ingestion, nitrate is absorbed in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

• About 25% of the absorbed nitrate is actively secreted into saliva.

• In the oral cavity, facultative anaerobic bacteria on the tongue reduce nitrate (NO₃⁻) to nitrite (NO₂⁻) via bacterial nitrate reductases.

Step 2: Conversion of Nitrite to Nitric Oxide

• After swallowing, nitrite (NO₂⁻) enters the stomach, where the acidic environment facilitates the non-enzymatic reduction to NO gas.

• If not converted in the stomach, nitrite enters systemic circulation and can be enzymatically reduced to NO under hypoxic conditions (by deoxyhemoglobin, xanthine oxidase, or mitochondrial cytochromes).

Half-Life of NO in Circulation

• The half-life of dietary nitrate is approximately 5-8 hours.

• The half-life of nitrite in plasma is much shorter, around 20-45 minutes.

• Once converted into NO, it exerts vasodilatory effects for approximately 2-6 hours, depending on oxygen availability and enzymatic activity.

2. eNOS Pathway (Amino Acid-Derived NO Production)

This pathway primarily depends on the enzymatic conversion of L-arginine and L-citrulline into NO by endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS).

Step 1: L-Arginine Transport & eNOS Activation

• L-Arginine (from L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate & L-Arginine Hydrochloride, 3000 mg total) is transported into endothelial cells.

• eNOS catalyzes the oxidation of L-arginine to NO and L-citrulline using oxygen and cofactors like tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4).

Step 2: L-Citrulline Recycling

• L-Citrulline (from L-Citrulline & L-Citrulline Malate, 2000 mg total) is converted back to L-arginine in the kidneys via the citrulline-arginine cycle, maintaining a steady supply of NO precursors.

Half-Life of NO in Circulation

• L-Arginine has a plasma half-life of 1-2 hours, with NO production peaking around 30-60 minutes post-ingestion.

• L-Citrulline has a longer half-life (4-6 hours) because it bypasses hepatic metabolism and gets converted into L-arginine in the kidneys over time.

• Total NO bioavailability from this pathway lasts approximately 6-12 hours, depending on endothelial function and enzymatic efficiency.

Comparison of Vasodilatory Effects

• Nitrate–Nitrite–NO (Beet Powder):

  • Onset of Action: 30–60 minutes

  • Peak NO Levels: 2–3 hours

  • Duration of Vasodilation: 2–6 hours (bolded)

  
  

• eNOS (L-Arginine & L-Citrulline):

  • Onset of Action: 30–60 minutes

  • Peak NO Levels: 1–2 hours

  • Duration of Vasodilation: 6–12 hours (bolded)

  
  

• Beet Powder (Nitrate Pathway) works faster but has a shorter duration of vasodilation (ideal for short-term blood flow improvement).

• L-Arginine & L-Citrulline (eNOS Pathway) has a slower onset but longer duration, making it better for sustained NO production.

Conclusion

• For short-term NO bursts, dietary nitrates (beet powder) are effective, especially under hypoxic conditions.

• For sustained NO production, L-Arginine & L-Citrulline supplementation via the eNOS pathway provides a prolonged vasodilatory effect.

• Combining both pathways may provide both rapid onset and extended duration of NO-mediated vasodilation, optimizing vascular function.

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Boost Nitric Oxide Levels To Support Lower Blood Pressure, Increase Circulation, & Improve Mental Clarity*

 †Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Product results may vary from person to person.