“Max Nutrition with Michele”

Michele Frank, CFNS (Certified Fitness Nutrition Specialist)

Want to Increase Sports Performance?  Increase Your Nitric Oxide Production.

During exercise or when playing sports with acute strenuous activity, the demands for increased blood flow are significant.  Although several mechanisms are available for optimal blood flow redistribution with acute exercise, Nitric Oxide (NO) plays the major role.  NO is formed by the action of the enzyme nitric oxide synthase on the amino acid L-arginine.  NO aids in the relaxation (vasodilation) of blood vessels.  The effect is better blood circulation in the body and especially in the extremities (more on that later).  Many studies have shown that individuals with higher amounts of NO production provide more oxygen and nutrients to exercising muscles.  Studies have shown these individuals increase peak workout output, increase resistance to fatigue, increase recovery rates, and increase muscle hypertrophy (size). 

So how do you increase NO production?  Increase your l-arginine intake.  Foods that are rich in L-arginine include: sesame seeds, soybean, chickpeas, peanuts, walnuts, brazilnuts, coconut, animal products (milk, milk products, pork, chicken, beef, turkey), seafood and cereals (oats & wheat), and watermelon (contains citrulline malate, an arginine precursor).  A more efficient method would be supplementation of L-arginine or supplements containing arginine alpha ketoglutarate (A-AKG).  Another exciting supplement new on the scene is GlycoCarn™ (glycine proprionyl –L-carnitine HCL or GPLC).  Max Muscle carries a number of excellent products that fit this bill.

Remember what I said about the blood flow to extremities?  Well increased NO also helps in the bedroom.  L-arginine has been shown to help individuals with erectile dysfunction and is a key component in producing seminal fluid and sperm (what do you think the main ingredient in Viagra™ is?).  And you thought that eating oysters for an aphrodisiac was an old wives’ tale.