Nitric oxide is a small molecule that is naturally present in the human body. Its role in boosting blood vessel health is well documented. As a vasodilator, it helps the inner muscles of the blood vessels to relax. This causes the blood vessels to dilate, thereby increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure.
But besides its significant role in various physiological processes within the human body, its potency to improve exercise and workout results make it the real supplement for fitness and bodybuilding. Read through to all about nitric oxide supplements and how they help improve your workouts.
About Nitric Oxide and Nitric Oxide Supplements
Nitric oxide is a gas and a free radical present in the body’s physiological system. While the use of nitric oxide supplements is common for focused bodybuilders, the supplements do not contain nitric oxide. Instead, nitric oxide supplements contain L-arginine and L-citrulline, amino acids that help the body produce more nitric oxide. This increased supply of nitric oxide benefits the body in several ways:
1. Improving Blood Flow During Workouts
Nitric oxide is a potent vasodilator. It signals the inner muscles of blood vessels to relax which in turn dilates (widens) the blood vessels. Enlarged and expanded blood vessels experience improved blood flow to the muscles. Research suggests that using nitric oxide supplements before workouts helps deliver more oxygen, nutrients, and energy substrates like glucose to the muscles. This potentially enhances performance and reduces fatigue during exercise.
2. Enhancing Nutrient Delivery
With increased blood flow, nutrients such as amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins, reach muscle cells more efficiently. This supports muscle repair, growth, and overall recovery after workouts. Wider blood vessels also make nutrient diffusion easy and effective. This increased blood flow and nutrient delivery creates the ‘muscle pump’ that boosts muscle recovery and growth.
3. Increasing Endurance
Nitric oxide supplements boost blood flow and increase nutrient delivery. In the process, it reduces the muscle’s demand for oxygen during exercise. Research shows that nitric oxide regulates mitochondrial oxygen consumption, leading to improved endurance and prolonged exercise capacity.
Embarking on the Nitric Oxide Dump Exercise
As nitric oxide increases the muscles’ pump sensation, the nitric oxide dump exercise routine is considered to be the most beneficial. The nitric oxide dump exercise routine is a 4-minute high-intensity workout that stimulates the production of nitric oxide in the body. It comprises both aerobic and anaerobic training exercises.
The nitric oxide dump exercise routine involves four specific exercises that target different muscle groups. These exercises are performed back-to-back in quick succession with no rest intervals in between.
1. Deep Squats
- Stand with the feet shoulder-width apart.
- Lower the body into a squat position, keeping the back straight and chest up.
- Rise back up to the starting position.
- Repeat for about 10-15 repetitions.
2. Standing Shoulder Circles
- Stand with the feet shoulder-width apart and arms extended straight out to the sides at shoulder level.
- Make small circles with the arms, rotating forward for about 10-15 repetitions.
- Then, make small circles rotating backward for another 10-15 repetitions.
3. Hip Hinges
- Stand with the feet hip-width apart and hands placed on the hips.
- Keeping the back straight, bend forward at the hips while pushing the hips back.
- Lower the upper body until it’s nearly parallel to the floor.
- Return to the upright position.
- Repeat for about 10-15 repetitions.
4. Cross Crawl Arm Swings
- Stand with the feet hip-width apart.
- Raise the right knee while simultaneously reaching the left arm toward the right knee.
- Lower the right leg and repeat on the opposite side, raising the left knee and reaching the right arm toward the left knee.
- Continue alternating sides for about 20-30 repetitions.
Nitric Oxide Dump Exercise Benefits
Incorporating the nitric oxide dump exercises into daily routine confers numerous health benefits. These include:
- Reduces blood pressure
- Reduces risk of blood clotting
- Cuts inflammation
- Supports immune health
- Improves brain power
- Increases sexual function and performance
- Improves workout results
- Improves insulin management
Conclusion
Nitric oxide holds the potential to revolutionise the health and fitness journey. Nitric oxide foods like beets, garlic, meat, leafy greens, and citrus fruits and nitric oxide supplements that pack amino acids L-arginine and L-citrulline boost the body’s nitric oxide production.
Its vasodilation effect improves blood circulation, leading to amplified workout efficiency with unparalleled results. The nitric oxide dump exercise benefits are far-reaching, offering an invigorating exercise experience with superior health benefits.
