Nitric Oxide Production Decreases with Age

Nitric oxide is also important in our immune system. NO produced by macrophages and neutrophils is responsible for killing invading pathogens such as bacteria and viruses.

The Journey Towards Disease & Aging Prevention Begins with Sufficient Nitric Oxide Production

Nitric Oxide Insufficiency

Starting around the age of 23, nitric oxide production declines naturally with age. By the age of 40, our bodies lose 50% of the nitric oxide production we had when we were in our late teens and early twenties. By age 65 the body loses 85% of the nitric oxide production it needs to prevent aging and disease.​

Nitric Oxide Declines with Age and is Responsible for Age Related Disease Including CVD​

Gerhard et al Hypertension 1996

Celermajer et al JACC 1994

Taddei et al Hypertension 2001

Egashira et al Circulation 1993

Nitric Oxide Production is affected by Diet, Nutrition & Lifestyle

Nitric Oxide Production is affected by Diet, Nutrition & Lifestyle

A diet rich in green leafy vegetables contains Nitrates and helps supplement the loss of NO.  However, the typical Western diet only contains about 150mg of nitrate. We need about 300-400 mg per day to make sufficient nitric oxide. Therefore most people are not getting sufficient nitric oxide from their diet.

There are many additional factors that affect NO production such as aging, oxidative stress, poor diet, lack of physical exercise, smoking, diabetes, high sugar diet, certain drug therapy, use of antiseptic mouthwash, antacids, etc. 

This puts most Americans deficient in this critical molecule.

Clinical Consequences of Insufficient Nitric Oxide Production

  • Hypertension

  • Vascular Dementia – Alzheimers

  • Diabetes

  • PAD

  • Small vessel disease

  • Atherosclerosis

  • Coagulation Disorders

  • ARDS

  • Heart Failure

  • Acute Kidney Injury – Renal Failure

  • Immune Dysfunction

  • Erectile Dysfunction