Healthy shopping: Nitric oxide-boosting supplements

Joanna Evans sources supplements that boost your body’s production of nitric oxide—a miniscule molecule vital for health

Nitric oxide (NO) is a tiny molecule that can have big benefits for health. It does everything from boosting energy levels and cognitive function to protecting against heart disease and diabetes.

While the body naturally makes NO—a gas that’s equal parts oxygen and nitrogen—several factors can interfere with its production, including aging, certain medications and a poor diet and lifestyle.

Eating nitrate-rich foods (like leafy greens and beets), getting plenty of exercise and making sure to breathe through your nose are some of the natural ways you can increase your body’s production of NO, but another way is to take NO-boosting supplements.

Many of these supplements contain NO precursors like L-arginine, L-citrulline and nitrates, which stimulate the natural production of NO in the body.

But there are also NO lozenges available, developed by prominent nitric oxide researcher Dr Nathan S. Bryan, which are claimed to deliver nitric oxide directly to the bloodstream without the need for conversion from other substances. This direct delivery system is intended to be more efficient, especially for those who may not convert precursors like L-arginine effectively due to age or health conditions.

Dr Bryan recommends avoiding supplements that contain L-arginine. If you want to try other NO precursors, though, research suggests that L-citrulline and nitrates (from sources like beets) are more effective than L-arginine for boosting NO production because the body can absorb and use them more easily. L-arginine doesn’t work as well because a lot of it gets broken down before your body can use it.¹

Here are a few NO supplements available in the US and UK. Just bear in mind that research on the long-term effects of these type of supplements is still needed. And it’s best to consult with a qualified practitioner before embarking on any new supplement program.

N1o1
Nitric Oxide Lozenges, $59.98/£44.36 (60 lozenges)
n1o1.com
International shipping available

Developed by Dr Nathan Bryan, these lozenges are designed to release NO as they dissolve in the mouth. They consist of vitamin C, magnesium and a proprietary blend of magnesium ascorbate and sodium nitrate.

Due to the lozenge formulation, though, they also contain a number of inactive ingredients including dextrin and maltodextrin (starch-derived carbohydrates), stevia (a natural sweetener) and croscarmellose sodium, a polymer made from cellulose that helps the lozenge dissolve quickly. NO skincare products, toothpaste and a beetroot-based powder supplement are also available from the N1o1 brand.

Berkeley Life
Nitric Oxide Foundation, $49.99/£58.49 (60 capsules)
US: berkeleylife.com; UK: healf.com

Clinically proven to reduce blood pressure,² this formulation contains potassium nitrate, beetroot extract and organic fermented beetroot powder to stimulate NO production. Two capsules are claimed to have the dietary nitrate equivalent of 7 oz (198 g) of beetroot. There are also added vitamin C, thiamine (vitamin B1), vitamin B12 and magnesium.

Like all Berkeley Life products, the supplement is rigorously researched, validated and manufactured to the highest standards of quality, safety and transparency. The company also offers a noninvasive saliva test strip to help you monitor your NO levels.

Nature’s Truth
Nitric Oxide Max, Beet Root+ with Nitrates, $8.99/£11.26 (60 capsules)
US: naturestruth.com; UK: uk.iherb.com

A good budget option, these vegetarian capsules contain organic beetroot powder along with beetroot extract and grapeseed extract to enhance NO production. There are also small amounts of vitamin C, vitamin B12 and niacin, plus black pepper extract, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

The supplement is Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP)-certified (made in a facility that follows strict quality and safety standards) and free of gluten, wheat, yeast, milk, lactose, soy, preservatives and artificial colors, flavors and sweeteners.

HumanN
Neo40® Nitric Oxide Formula, $39.95/£51.05 (30 tablets)
US: humann.com; UK: biovea.com/uk

Dr Nathan Bryan contributed to the development of this formula, but it works slightly differently from his N1o1 lozenges. It uses L-citrulline, beetroot powder, hawthorn berry extract and sodium nitrite to trigger NO production in the body.

The quick-dissolve tablets are free of gluten, GMO ingredients and artificial sweeteners, but they do contain the natural sweeteners xylitol and stevia along with other inactive ingredients, like mannitol (a sugar alcohol) and modified cellulose (a plant-based binder). This supplement was found to significantly reduce high blood pressure in one clinical trial.³

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