Stress Treatment, Nitric Oxide, and Adaptogens
One of the most important molecules in our body is Nitric oxide or NO. Like a person directing traffic in a busy intersection, nitric oxide directs the communication between the busiest cells in the body to include blood cells, brain cells, and immune system cells.
Nitric oxide is so important that no organ in your body could function without it. It keeps our blood pressure normal, helps us think clearly, helps our body fight off infections, and even prevents the development of blood clots and atherosclerosis. Many of the aging diseases are no more than a nitric oxide deficiency.
Nitric Oxide (NO) metabolites are substances that can help the body by balancing its chemistry or biochemistry with regards to Nitric Oxide. A study looking at Nitric Oxide activity was recently conducted on certain adaptogens and adaptogen formulas. The results of the study showed that some of these formulas contained natural forms of Nitric Oxide metabolites.
In the 1940s, a Russian scientist, Dr. Nicholai Lazarev, identified a few select plants out of the thousands studied, that he eventually called adaptogens. To be labeled an adaptogen, the plant or herb had to return the natural equilibrium of the body’s internal processes. Many of these plants were found in some of coldest and harshest environments in the world.
Following in Dr. Lazarev’s footsteps, Professor Brekman noted that adaptogens have the ability to normalize the entire body, rather than any one specific organ. Dr. Lazarev was the first to define an adaptogen as a plant that helps the body resist stresses like fatigue, trauma, and anxiety.
As we age, our body gradually loses its ability to produce nitric oxide. Stress, pollution and a nutrient-deficient diet also reduce our nitric oxide reserves. A healthy diet, sleep, and exercise contribute to nitric oxide activity ” and to good health!
There is a long list of ailments related to insufficient Nitric Oxide within the body. Elevated blood pressure, Alzheimers, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, are just a few.
If we can elevate the level of Nitric Oxide within the body, it holds true that a person with one of these conditions will respond positively. Helping a person to be able to produce more Nitric Oxide naturally is important in the fight against many diseases.
It makes sense that certain adaptogen formulas would activate a high amount of nitric oxide because research has revealed that most high-antioxidant foods nourish NO. Adaptogens can help us combat stress, a nitric oxide killer. They are an effective form of Stress Treatment .
Nitric Oxide levels in some adaptogen compounds are high enough to restore a persons NO balance. These compounds can help defend against heart disease, stroke, and inflammation.
Health food stores and the Internet are the two primary resources for finding adaptogen blends. Finding formulations that have been researched and studied is a little harder. There are only a handful of products on the market that I would actually recommend. Do your research!
