Nitric Oxide
One of the last days I spent with Dr. Arthur Furst he was involved in research on nitric oxide and showed me some of the research he was reviewing. Very little was known about nitric oxide at that time. Nitric oxide is a powerful free radical, but research since the late 1980's has shown that this noxious compound plays many important roles in body chemistry as an important chemical messenger and signaling molecule. This molecule plays a role in the ability of white blood cells to attack and destroy viruses and bacteria. It also plays a role in allowing the dilation of blood vessels. This is why nitroglycerine tablets were once used to treat angina or chest pain. Viagra accomplishes its wonders by promoting the functioning of nitric oxide. The nitric oxide molecule is also involved in the production of a substance called brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) which plays a key role in brain function and cognition.
Nitric oxide exists for only about 10 seconds before it is converted to other compounds. Studies have shown that ingestion of nitrates will result in the formation of nitrosamines in the stomach if production of hydrochloric acid is low as it often is in older people. This suggests that support of stomach acid in older people is important for not only digestion of foods but also for the reduction of risk of stomach cancer which can be caused by nitrosamines. It also suggests that loading up with nitrates as found in bacon and sausages may not be the optimal means of improving nitric oxide functioning in the body.
Two supplements appear to be of particular value in optimizing nitric oxide functioning. These are Biotone Tissue Toner with its arginine and Tre with its concentrate of pomegranate juice. Arginine, an amino acid, is involved in the production of nitric oxide where it is needed in the body. Pomegranate juice is protective of the functioning of nitric oxide once it is produced in the body. It is much more enhancing of nitric oxide functioning than numerous other substances.
References:
Nitric Oxide, Vitamin C, and Stomach Acid
Stomach cancer is the second most common cancer in the world according to some studies. Research has shown that contributing factors are a diet high in nitrates or low in vitamin C. Decreased production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach also plays a role in stomach cancer. Bacteria that produce cancer causing nitrosamines proliferate in the stomach when stomach acid production is depressed or absent. This often happens with aging or with overgrowth of H. pylori bacteria in the stomach. Hydrochloric acid not only aids digestion of foods, but it also kills bacteria in foods as well as those bacteria that attempt to take up habitation in the stomach.
Vitamin C inhibits the formation of nitrosamines in the stomach. There is a direct correlation between lower vitamin C levels in the stomach and for formation of cancer causing nitrosamines. One more reason to make sure that regular intake of vitamin C is part of one's lifestyle. Vitamin C converts potentially dangerous gastric juice nitrite which can form nitrosamines to nitric oxide.
Betagest is a natural support for stomach acid derived from beet stems and beet roots. Dr. Hugh Tuckey who researched stomach acid for 30 years found that this form of stomach acid support was the most effective for addressing problems of low stomach acid production.
References:
Ruddell, W.S.J., Gastric Juice Nitrite: A risk factor for cancer in the hypochlorhydric stomach, The Lancet, November 1976; 308(7994):1037-1039.
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