How Nitric Oxide Lowers Blood Pressure

High blood pressure (sometimes called hypertension) is also known as the silent killer because there aren't any real symptoms. Nearly one of every three American adults (65 million people) has high blood pressure and in 2002 high blood pressure was implicated in almost 50,000 deaths. High blood pressure is the 13th largest cause of death in the United States (American Heart Association 2005). Furthermore, studies have estimated that a 55-year-old person who has normal blood pressure has a 90-percent lifetime risk of getting high blood pressure. High blood pressure has resulted in damage to blood vessels in the eyes, heart, brain, and kidneys.

As bleak as this may seem, the good news is that high blood pressure can be controlled by prescription drugs or by natural methods.

Controlling blood pressure naturally is preferred by many people because you avoid the unpleasant side effects that can accompany prescription drugs.

Two of the best natural ways of lowering blood pressure are exercise and diet. You don't have to join a gym to get the exercise you need. Simply committing to walk for 20 to 30 minutes at least 3 times a week can have a positive effect on blood pressure. In addition, there are other benefits for the joints, bones and muscles.

A few modifications to your diet can also do wonders for your blood pressure. Start with reducing the amount of salt. If this is hard for you to do then reduce the amount gradually until you have eliminated it completely. Be aware that processed foods are often high in salt (sodium) so read the label.

Recently another method of controlling blood pressure naturally has emerged. This is called nitric oxide therapy and is the result of the research by Nobel® Laureate Dr. Louis Ignarro. Dr. Ignarro and his team of researchers knew that nitrogen in the form of nitro- glycerin had been used for years to help relieve angina or heart distress but they didn't know how it worked. They discovered that the nitric oxide molecule has a profound effect in dilating arteries and blood vessels which could reduce blood pressure and support cardiovascular health.

The next step was to determine how to create nitric oxide in the body. They found that the amino acid, arginine or L-arginine, causes nitric oxide to be produced in the arteries and blood vessels. They also learned that exercise will have the same effect.

In addition, they discovered that nitric oxide has other beneficial effects which impact the immune system and the nervous system. The popular prescription drug Viagra was developed as a direct result of Dr. Ignarro's nitric oxide research.

The question then was what foods provide a source of arginine. They were many on the list including nuts, red meat, and certain vegetables. Although these were a natural source, there wasn't enough arginine to make a major difference. Dr. Ignarro realized that he would have to create a supplement which would provide enough arginine in significant quantity. The result is a proprietary product called Niteworks™. Those who are able to use Niteworks™ have found that they not only are able to control their blood pressure but have realized other benefits including a more restful sleep and greater stamina.

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