Unlocking the Power of Nitric Oxide: Achieving Oral and Overall Health Through the Microbiome
Nitric Oxide (NO) is a multipurpose molecule that acts as both a neurotransmitter, facilitating communication between cells, and a vasodilator, promoting relaxation of blood vessels to improve blood flow and circulation throughout the body. If you’ve heard of Nitric Oxide by now, it’s likely due to the Nobel Prize it received in 1998 for its role in the cardiovascular system. Or perhaps its early fame as a supplement in the fitness and body-building community.
Many roles of Nitric Oxide have been well established, but as research continues, more light has been shed on the intricate relationship between oral health and Nitric Oxide. Have you ever heard that oral health is connected to heart health? Indeed, it is – through the oral microbiome, Nitric Oxide, and facilitation of blood flow.
The secret is in the oral cavity
The oral cavity hosts a diverse ecosystem of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and archaea, collectively known as the oral microbiome. This intricate community plays a vital role in preserving oral health and overall well-being. Factors such as oral hygiene practices, dietary habits, genetic predispositions, and the specific composition of the oral microbiome work in tandem to prevent the development of oral diseases and maintain a balanced microbial environment.
But that’s not all – the oral microbiome has another crucial Nitric Oxide-supporting role to play. As we consume leafy greens or Nitric Oxide supplementation, the oral microbiome go to work on the nitrates, converting them to nitrite, which is later used by the body to create Nitric Oxide. Without a healthy, balanced oral microbiome, our bodies cannot reap the maximum benefits of our wise food and supplementation choices. This knowledge is upending the traditional understanding of “oral health”, encouraging functional-friendly practitioners, dentists, and consumers to consider alternatives to harsh microbiome-eliminating mouthwashes.
The oral-systemic connection
The relationship between Nitric Oxide and the microbiome extends beyond the oral cavity, influencing various physiological processes within the body. Nitric Oxide has been shown to impact vagal tone, blood flow to the gastrointestinal tract, and the release of neurotransmitters like acetylcholine. These effects have far-reaching implications for gastrointestinal inflammation and the integrity of the tight junctions between gut cells, both of which are crucial for maintaining overall gut health.
In cases of gut dysbiosis, where macrophages in the intestinal lumen become inflammatory, maintaining healthy Nitric Oxide levels through dietary nitrate supplementation can play a pivotal role in combating dysbiosis and mitigating macrophage activation. This, in turn, helps preserve gut homeostasis and promotes overall well-being.
Support Nitric Oxide every day
To harness the benefits of Nitric Oxide for oral and systemic health, Berkeley Life offers a range of innovative products. The Berkeley Life Nitric Oxide Foundation is a two-capsule daily supplement that provides a convenient and clinically effective dose of dietary nitrates to support Nitric Oxide production and sustain optimal levels within the body.
Complementing this supplement are the Nitric Oxide Test Strips, which allow users to check their salivary Nitric Oxide levels daily in under 30 seconds, indirectly assessing the state of their oral microbiome.
For consumers seeking to bring balance back to their oral microbiome after a period of antibiotics or combatting the effects of daily habits harmful to the oral microbiome, Berkeley Life has launched Prebiotic Nitrate Chewing Gum. This functional chewing gum aids in optimizing the oral environment by shifting the microbial balance away from acid-promoting microbes and towards those that support Nitric Oxide production. Regular use of this biome-balancing gum can help restore a balanced, health-promoting oral microbiome and maintain optimal Nitric Oxide levels.
The oral microbiome shares an intricate connection with Nitric Oxide levels and overall health. Berkeley Life's innovative products provide a comprehensive approach to measuring, supporting, and optimizing Nitric Oxide production while simultaneously fostering a balanced and health-promoting oral microbiome environment, ultimately promoting both oral health and whole-body wellness.
Support your daily Nitric Oxide levels with Berkeley Life’s daily supplement, test, and microbiome-balancing gum. Head to Berkeleylife.com and check-out with code NIDDBL for 10% off and free shipping.
For more, tune in to The More You NO video series hosted by Berkeley Life’s Clinical Director of Clinical Education, Brendan Vermeire.
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