Your body relies on a number of signalling molecules, called chemical messengers, to allow for communication between cells. One type of chemical messenger is nitric oxide, a compound important for the function of a number of organ systems, including your nervous and cardiovascular systems. A number of vitamins can promote nitric oxide synthesis.
Vitamin C
One nutrient that can positively affect nitric oxide synthesis is vitamin C, or ascorbic acid. A study published in "Circulation Research," a journal associated with the American Heart Association, in 2003 found that vitamin C increased the activity of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase, the protein that produces nitric oxide. As a result, the nutrient might support proper nitric oxide production and help to maintain the levels of the compound within your body.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D, a general term for a family of related hormones, can also aid in nitric oxide production. Cells within your brain have the ability to respond to circulating vitamin D in your bloodstream, and increase nitric oxide synthase activity upon exposure to the vitamin. As a result, vitamin D might help boost nitric oxide production in your brain. Since nitric oxide plays an important role in brain function, consuming adequate vitamin D might support the health of your nervous system.
Intake Sources
You can promote proper nitric oxide production in your body by consuming enough vitamin C and D each day. Fruits and vegetables, such as red peppers, cantaloupe, mango, spinach and broccoli contain vitamin C, while dairy products and fortified cereals contain vitamin D. If you suffer a deficiency in vitamin D or C that affects your nitric oxide production, taking vitamin supplements under the supervision of a doctor can help treat the deficiency, and therefore help restore normal nitric oxide synthesis.
B-Vitamins and Nitric Oxide Function
Other vitamins, such as the family of eight B-class vitamins, can help support nitric oxide function. Defects in nitric oxide signalling to the cells that line your blood vessels contributes to cardiovascular disease, and some vitamin treatments seek to help restore blood vessel lining function. A study published "Clinical Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology" found that B vitamins helped the cells that line your blood vessels better respond to nitric oxide, helping to improve the cells' function. However, vitamin therapy cannot replace pharmacologic therapy in the treatment of cardiovascular disease. If you're interested in the benefits of vitamin therapy, talk to your doctor.
References
- "Circulation Research"; Long-Term Vitamin C Treatment Increases Vascular Tetrahydrobiopterin Levels and Nitric Oxide Synthase Activity; L. d'Uscio, et al.; 2003
- Oregon State: Vitamin D and Mental Illness
- "Clinical Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology"; Effects of Chelation with EDTA and Vitamin B Therapy on Nitric Oxide-Related Endothelial Vasodilator Function; D.J. Green, et al.; 1999
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