How to Increase Nitric Oxide Production to Encourage Healthy Aging

Nitric oxide has several anti-aging benefits on cardiovascular, immune, and neurological health. However, according to Christopher Bump, DC, MS, IFMCP, CNS, DABCN, nitric oxide production decreases over time.

During his session at the Integrative Healthcare Symposium last February, Dr. Bump, a chiropractor and expert clinical nutritionist in greater New York, discussed why nitric oxide is so important to overall health and longevity and how to increase it in aging patients.

According to Dr. Bump, nitric oxide helps to maintain the elasticity of blood vessels, allowing them to expand and contract efficiently, which is essential to blood pressure regulation. It also acts as a signaling molecule, modulating the activity of various immune cells and helping to defend the body against pathogens. In addition, it can affect processes such as memory and learning because it plays the role of a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator in the brain.

The problem, Dr. Bump explained, is that “as we age, the enzymes responsible for producing nitric oxide, particularly nitric oxide synthase (NOS), become less efficient, leading to reduced nitric oxide levels." He said that certain lifestyle and diet factors and health conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and atherosclerosis can also impair nitric oxide synthesis.

Fortunately, there are ways to increase nitric oxide naturally. According to Dr. Bump strategies to increase nitric oxide to encourage healthy aging and overall health include:

• Dietary Nitrates: In his presentation, Dr. Bump said that certain dietary changes can increase nitric oxide production. "Incorporating vegetables such as spinach, arugula, and beets into the diet can significantly boost nitrate intake, which the body converts to nitric oxide,” he said.
• Avoiding Mouthwash: The use of mouthwash has been shown to harm the oral microbiome, which may have negative impacts on overall health. According to Dr. Bump mouthwash may also lead to decreased nitric oxide levels. "Mouthwashes can destroy the oral bacteria necessary for converting nitrates to nitrites, which are then converted to nitric oxide in the stomach,” he explained.
• Physical Activity: To increase nitric oxide production, Dr. Bump also recommended regular exercise. “Engaging in consistent physical activity stimulates endothelial cells to produce more nitric oxide, improving vascular function,” he said.
• Minimizing Acid Blockers: Certain medications, such as acid blockers, might negatively affect nitric oxide production. "Acid blockers can interfere with the conversion of nitrites to nitric oxide in the stomach; therefore, limiting these medications can support nitric oxide levels,” explained Dr. Bump.
• Supplementation: Supplementation may also increase nitric oxide in the body. "Specific supplements, such as L-arginine and L-citrulline, can provide the necessary substrates for nitric oxide production,” Dr. Bump said.

Editor’s Note: 2024’s Integrative Healthcare Symposium conference recordings are available on our website. To access Dr. Bump’s presentation and more, click here.