Nitric oxide donors: what are they and what is their role in building the body

Nitric oxide (NO, nitric oxide) is a gas involved in many physiological processes. When you eat a balanced diet, your body produces enough NO. This substance is well known in bodybuilding as it helps the athlete build muscle and recover faster. In some cases, nitric oxide production decreases (age, overtraining, elevated cortisol levels). Therefore, bodybuilders who want to progress are recommended to use special supplements - nitric oxide donors.

What is nitric oxide

NO molecules are produced in endothelial cells that line the inside of arteries. The main effect is relaxation of vascular smooth muscles. The result of the production of nitric oxide is the relaxation of the vascular walls and the dilation of the ducts, which helps the body control blood pressure and blood circulation.

For bodybuilders, the vasodilating property of NO is useful for good blood supply to the muscles (“pumping”), rapid delivery of nutrients to the muscles, and utilization of lactic acid. All together this helps to build muscle volume. Therefore, supplements have been developed specifically for bodybuilders to stimulate the production of nitric oxide.

aortic aneurysm

An aneurysm is an abnormal, localized dilation of an artery.
In the aorta, aneurysms and diffuse ectasia are distinguished, which is a generalized, but no less pronounced increase in the diameter of the aorta. The term “aneurysm” is used when the diameter of a section of the aorta is increased by 50% or more or if the diameter of a section of the abdominal aorta is increased to 3.5-4 cm or more. A true aneurysm is an expansion of all three layers of the aorta with the formation of a large protrusion of the vascular wall. A true aneurysm can be either fusiform or saccular. Unlike a true aneurysm, a false aneurysm (pseudoaneurysm) has a rupture of the vascular wall. A pseudoaneurysm develops when blood leaks from the lumen of the vessel through an opening in the intimal or medial layer and is simply surrounded by a layer of adventitia or a perivascular thrombus. Pseudoaneurysms are extremely unstable and prone to rupture.

The etiology of true aortic aneurysms is multifactorial and varies depending on the location of the lesion. About 90% of cases of abdominal aortic aneurysm are associated with atherosclerosis. Aneurysms of the ascending thoracic aorta are not usually associated with atherosclerosis. An important role in this case is played, rather, by degenerative changes in the media (cystic degeneration of the media or cystic necrosis of the media). Median degeneration can be caused by connective tissue diseases (for example, Morphan syndrome, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome) or develop in response to arterial hypertension. More rare causes leading to the formation of aneurysms include a number of infectious diseases (syphilis, bacterial endocarditis), systemic vasculitis (Takayasu’s aortoarteritis, giant cell arteritis).

Aortic aneurysm often develops asymptomatically, but sometimes patients complain of a pulsating formation, especially if the abdominal aorta is affected. More often, when symptoms of the disease appear, they are due to the fact that the enlarging aneurysm puts pressure on adjacent organs (vertebral erosion, compression of the esophagus, compression of the recurrent nerve). An aneurysm of the ascending aorta can cause dilation of the aortic annulus and the development of aortic insufficiency.

Methods for detecting aortic aneurysms include chest x-ray, computed tomography with intravenous contrast, MRI, or conventional arteriography.

Surgical treatment is recommended in most cases of abdominal aortic aneurysms whose diameter exceeds 4.5-5 cm, or in cases where the rate of increase in diameter is more than 1 cm per year. As for thoracic aneurysms, their surgical replacement is recommended if their diameter is more than 6 cm or if there are symptoms of compression of adjacent organs. In patients with Marfan syndrome, surgical treatment is often recommended when the diameter of the thoracic aortic aneurysm is more than 5 cm.

Composition of sports donors

Popular nitrogen donors are the amino acids arginine and citrulline. They are produced both as individual supplements and as part of multicomponent pre-workout complexes. Of course, there is also beet juice - a natural source of NO. But it is not produced in the form of sports nutrition, so we will not consider it.

• Arginine is an amino acid that is part of proteins. Once in the body, it is exposed to specific enzymes – NO synthases. As a result, nitric oxide is formed. Until recently, it was considered an effective supplement, but recent studies have shown its low productivity in NO synthesis and vasodilation;
• Citrulline is an amino acid that is not part of proteins. Once in the body, it stimulates the synthesis of NO and prevents the destruction of nitric oxide by enzymes. According to scientific research, it has better digestibility than arginine. Due to this, citrulline is considered more effective in producing NO and dilating blood vessels.

An interesting fact: the body produces its own arginine from citrulline under the action of enzymes.

Application practice

I think that many will be interested in the practical side of the issue. How to throw? How much to fumble? And other important questions.

1. Take NO on an empty stomach.
2. If your weight is more than 100 kg, then you can immediately start with double the dosage (on average 2 scoops).
3. After two weeks, you can double the dosage (for everyone).
4. The total duration of NO use should not exceed one month on average.

Feelings of use

• They didn't actually increase muscle mass, but the increase in strength was quite noticeable.
• Wild increase in endurance, mood, motor activity.
• Metabolism in muscles has increased. I noted this because of the improved fat burning process.
• Excessive excitability. I train in the evening and increasing the dosage sometimes makes it difficult to fall asleep at night.
• Improved erection >:D A nice bonus, for sure. By the way, women also experience improved blood flow to the genitals.
• More balanced nutrition. Because It is difficult to get all the necessary nutrients in the right proportions from regular food.

There are also points that are often stated by manufacturers, but I DIDN’T FEEL THEM:

• There was no increased “overgrowth” of damaged tissues ! Everything is healing as usual.
• No fucking waste is removed. Manufacturers often write about this, but guys, I assure you that in medicine there is NO such term as toxins AT ALL ! This is just another charlatan trick.

There are also those for whom I would NOT RECOMMEND using this supplement at all:

• Do not use in children . Sometimes on a can with the inscription “NO” you can see that this supplement helps children grow. Friends, children are already growing before our eyes, and if you help their growth, then certainly not with nitric oxide.
• Do not use for people with vegetative-vascular dystonia . It is necessary to normalize blood pressure with special medications, and not with nitrogen donors.

What did you use?

I was able to try some pretty good pre-workout supplements that promote NO production.

Nitrix 2.0 from BSN – I loved this precursor! The sensations are extremely unusual. There are pleasant tingling sensations under the skin, activity increases, excellent pump. I bought it from this link in the store.

NO Explode from BSN is not a bad thing. You definitely become more active, there is an increase in strength, endurance, and good pumping (blood filling). All this is rather the result of the action of caffeine, taurine and the plant extract of Vinca minor. You can buy from this store with a huge discount.

Niox from Nutrex Research Labs - I felt a strong surge of energy, pleasant tingling of the skin, it became warm (a rush of heat) to all extremities, and the muscles were well filled with blood. During the application, there were training sessions when I simply “couldn’t get tired” and forced myself to leave the gym. Good stuff, I liked it. The cheapest thing you can buy now is .

SuperPump MAX from Gaspari - all the buzz from nitrogen pumping is observed, as well as the rush of the heroic silica, activity and flight are normal. You can buy it here.

NO donors in normal diet

Since arginine and citrulline are amino acids, they can be obtained through regular food. Let's list the food products that contain the most “natural” donors.

• Arginine: beef, chicken, pork, peas, salmon, shrimp, tuna, crab, anchovies, herring, walnuts, almonds, peanuts, sesame, pumpkin seeds, wheat flour, brown rice;
• Citrulline: watermelon, melon, cucumbers, garlic, onions, chickpeas, soybeans, beans, peanuts, liver, almonds, walnuts, dark chocolate, pumpkin.

Nitrogen donors in sports

This sports nutrition is used mainly in bodybuilding. Although athletes of other disciplines also benefit from taking such supplements. Let's consider the beneficial properties of donors:

• Pumping. Donators increase muscle blood supply, which promotes stretching of fibers and the creation of additional microtraumas in them. As a result, muscle hypertrophy improves;
• High-quality restoration. Along with increased blood flow, nutrients enter the muscles faster and in greater quantities, which contributes to faster recovery;
• Elimination of lactic acid. Increased blood flow flushes lactic acid from the muscles and delivers fresh oxygen. This gives you more energy and helps you perform more repetitions;
• Fat burning. Donors do not directly affect subcutaneous fat. But by increasing energy levels, these supplements indirectly help reduce body fat.

Benefits for the body

Now let’s look at the positive effects of donors on health:

• Relaxing the walls of blood vessels and expanding blood flow helps lower blood pressure and improve blood circulation, which helps prevent many heart diseases;
• Thanks to the intake of sports donors, blood circulation increases and the process of filling the cavernous bodies of the male penis with blood improves, which helps to improve erectile function;
• Women may also benefit from nitric oxide donors. During premenstrual syndrome, taking the supplement helps improve mood and increase performance;
• Nitric oxide is a neurotransmitter. It helps transmit impulses between neurons in the brain, which promotes efficient brain activity and improved memory;
• Donators are also useful for normal digestion. The fact is that NO relaxes the smooth muscles of the intestine, which helps normal peristalsis, as well as the production of acids and enzymes.

Do ordinary people need sports donors?

In this case, nothing can be stated unambiguously. On the one hand, donors have many useful properties - from normalizing blood pressure to improving potency. On the other hand, sports nutrition is intended for athletes. As a rule, supplements have no effect without physical activity. If you have any health problems, we still recommend consulting a doctor and using special medications. You should not rely on the therapeutic effect of sports nitrogen donors.

Dosage and rules of administration

Recommended dosages of arginine are 3-10 g per day. In this case, beginners should start with the minimum dose and gradually increase it. Arginine is taken 15-20 minutes before training. On rest days, the supplement can be taken between meals or at night.

Recommended dosages of citrulline are 6-15 g per day. As with arginine, we recommend starting with small doses. The mode of taking the supplement is 30 minutes before training. On recovery days, it is also permissible to take citrulline in the morning or before bed.

Overdose and side effects

Citrulline has no side effects. The supplement is well absorbed and tolerated by most athletes. But if the permissible dose of arginine is exceeded, digestive upset may occur. The fact is that arginine is poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, so its excess often leads to diarrhea. In addition, there are studies showing that large dosages of arginine are harmful to the pancreas. But all this can be avoided if you follow the manufacturer's recommendations.

Side effects

In general, nitric oxide supplements are safe as long as dosage recommendations are followed. (, , )

However, they are also associated with some unpleasant side effects.

Taking more than 10 grams of L-arginine can lead to stomach discomfort and diarrhea. ()

Taking beet juice supplements may cause your urine and calla lilies to turn dark red. This is an extremely common but completely harmless side effect. ()

Before taking any nitric oxide supplements, be sure to consult with a qualified physician or nutritionist.

Conclusion:

In general, nitric oxide supplements are safe for the body. However, there are some unpleasant side effects, such as stomach discomfort and diarrhea, as well as dark red urine and stool.

What to combine with

Donators can be combined with various types of sports nutrition. Let's consider effective combinations of additives that have a synergistic effect:

• Creatine. Both supplements provide an additional source of energy. Their combination will allow the athlete to exercise much longer;
• Arginine + Citrulline. Both donors can be taken together. This combination is believed to enhance the effects of the supplements;
• Vitamin and mineral complex. Taking them together will allow nutrients to be delivered to the muscles faster;
• Pre-workout complex. If the pre-workout does not contain citrulline or arginine, then adding them will improve the effect;
• Protein. Almost all protein powders already contain arginine. But it is permissible to take citrulline along with protein.

What to replace

If for some reason you cannot purchase donors in the form of separate supplements, pay attention to pre-workout complexes. Such powders almost always contain citrulline or arginine. In addition, do not forget about a balanced, varied diet, including meat, seafood, legumes, herbs, vegetables, and nuts. Natural products are full of natural donors.

How to use?

Once we have figured out the mechanism of nitrogen’s effect on our body and understand that nitrogen donors cannot cause significant harm to our body, then it’s worth figuring out how to take it correctly.

Note: very often NO2 donors are included in pre-workout complexes, which increases blood pumping with a general improvement in well-being. Thus, it is better not to use nitrogen donors and not to take them into account when taking them.

The course of treatment is designed for a 4-week cycle, after which you need to rest for at least 1 week.

How to choose a nitrogen donor

Donators are produced in the form of powders and tablets. In general, there is no difference between these forms. Choose what is more convenient for you. The only thing that can be recommended when buying citrulline is to choose citrulline with malic acid (citrulline malate), as it is more effective. And, of course, buy sports nutrition only in trusted stores so as not to run into fakes. Today's best offers:

We offer a selection of popular nitric oxide donors:

• Killer Labz Noxious (2000 r.);
• BSN Nitrix (RUR 2,900);
• WestPharm L-Arginine HCL 500 (900 RUR);
• Insane Labz Insane Veinz (RUR 2,300);
• Maxler Arginine Max 1000 (700 RUR);
• BioTech AAKG 1000 (900 RUR);
• PrimaForce Citrulline Malate (RUR 2,000);
• SciTec Nutrition Citrulline Malate (RUR 1,200);
• VPX NO-Shotgun MHF-1 (RUR 2,200);
• Gaspari Nutrition SuperPump 250 (RUR 2,800).

Rating of the best pumps according to Fit Magazine!

Nitric oxide in sports nutrition is exactly what professional bodybuilders need. And even if you exercise as an amateur, you should not ignore this type of supplements, because with them you can reach a new level. Before you buy a sports drink in this category, always refer to the rating!