Nitric oxide

nitric oxide

Nitric oxide is a simple gas molecule the body produces and uses as a key chemical messenger to control several vital processes. One of its most important roles is relaxing and widening blood vessels, which improves blood flow and helps regulate blood pressure. Endothelial cells that line blood vessels make nitric oxide from amino acids, and the molecule acts quickly in nearby tissues before breaking down, so its effects are local and short-lived. Because it improves circulation, nitric oxide is central to delivering oxygen and nutrients to muscles and organs during exercise and daily activity, and it also plays roles in nerve signaling and immune responses. Levels can be influenced by diet, activity, and overall health — for example, exercise and nitrate-rich foods can boost production. Some supplements aim to increase nitric oxide indirectly by supplying building blocks the body uses to make it. While healthy nitric oxide function supports cardiovascular health and physical performance, too little can contribute to high blood pressure and poor circulation, and uncontrolled production can cause inflammation in some conditions. Healthcare providers and researchers pay close attention to nitric oxide because it links lifestyle, vascular function, and disease risk, and because it is a target for treatments that aim to improve blood flow safely.