Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part VII:
How do nitric oxide supplements work (in theory) and in practice? Will products containing nitric oxide, such as BSN Supplements NO-XPLODE and MRI supplements Black Powder (amongst others) stimulate muscle growth or is lean muscle mass a bi-product of something else? What about the latest studies with glycine propionyl L-carnitine hydrochloride? Is there clinical evidence that GlycoCarn can increase NO (nitric oxide) retention and provide a reduction in lactic acid response, thereby boosting athletic performance?
First, let’s take a look at what nitric oxide is about: What’s behind the high performance muscle-building formulas? How do they work? Are they safe? Who can benefit?
What is nitric oxide and what’s it’s function in the human body?
Nitric oxide (chemical formula NO) is a molecule (produced within the body from the amino acid L-arginine) that acts as a signaling messenger (neurotransmitter) within body cells, and while it carries out a variety of important functions, when it comes to why it’s promoted for bodybuilders and athletes, it’s because nitric oxide (in blood vessels) induces vasodilation / muscle relaxation which stimulates blood circulation. Nitric oxide contributes to the regulation of the immune response system, signaling and measuring degrees of inflammation (which is why NO may be used to treat respiratory conditions such as asthma) and in athletes is (theoretically) used to regulate the assimilation and absorption of other essential amino acids and activate various proteins.
(Example products: MRI NO Black Powder)
Nobel Prize Winner Louis J. Ignarro and Nictric Oxide
It’s impossible to discuss nitric oxide without mentioning Louis J. Ignarro, who shared (with Robert F. Furchgott and Ferid Murathe) the Nobel Prize in Physiology / Medicine (in 1998) for research into “the signaling properties of nitric oxide”. Today, Dr. Ignarro is professor of pharmacology at UCLA School of Medicine’s department of molecular and medical pharmacology. Despite some controversy (pertaining to conflict of interest accusations of which he has been cleared) over his creation of the Herbalife product called Niteworks, Dr Ignarro remains a respected authority on nitric oxide and its medical applications, in cardiovascular fields and how amino acids boost the body’s ability to elevate its own NO levels to promote health. While more studies are required to offer evidence of how effective NO may be, the potential in various medical applications will be interesting to follow.
See the book “Health Is Wealth: 10 Power Nutrients That Increase Your Odds of Living to 100” by Dr. Louis Ignarro and Dr. Andrew Myers.
These videos may be helpful for those interested in understanding how nitric oxide works and what its potential benefits may be:
1. Dr. Louis Ignarro Explains Nitric Oxide (1/2)
2. Dr. Louis Ignarro Explains Nitric Oxide (2/2)
The most important factor that makes nitric oxide supplements popular for high performance athletes and bodybuilders is that it promotes vasodilation which means that, with dilated veins the volume of blood the heart has to pump per cycle is decreased (also why NO is used to treat angina or chest pains) and is thought to help muscle growth because it extends an athletes stamina, helps muscle recovery when injured or stressed after workouts, and enhances what is called “muscle pump” which is the tight blood-filled sensation bodybuilders experience after intense workouts. Muscle pump improvement is natural for those who take nitric oxide supplements because of the dilated blood vessels that increases circulation, and with the increased blood flow (theoretically) more oxygen, better toxin elimination for lean muscle mass production, and a reduction in potential stress / muscle injury. Muscle mass growth is, theoretically, possible by boosting NO levels via supplementation, but there’s more to the nitric oxide story.
Nitric oxide is a gas molecule that the body creates on its own from arginine alpha-ketoglutarate (AAKG), which is what most nitric oxide supplements contain, and may positively effect the cardiovascular system in athletes via dilating the blood vessels, although the nitric oxide molecule is highly unstable and therefore converted almost instantaneously into nitrate. Nitrate affects different people in various ways. For example, some people may find that although blood circulation is increased, it’s not as rich in oxygen as needed or theoretically possible. It can also cause problems for those with low stomach acid and may induce nausea, vomiting and other severe reactions due to an intolerance to nitrate (especially since nitrate oxide supplements are recommended to be taken on an empty stomach).
(Example product: AAKG 3500 (L-Arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate) by Now Foods and NOW Foods Arginine 500mg)
But perhaps the possible benefits of increased lean muscle mass may outweigh the downsides if the NO supplements actually work. Do they?
In an article published in 2006 called “Pharmacokinetics, safety, and effects on exercise performance of L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate in trained adult men” the results of a study (conducted by Campbell B, Roberts M, Kerksick C, Wilborn C, Marcello B, Taylor L, Nassar E, Leutholtz B, Bowden R, Rasmussen C, Greenwood M, Kreider R. at the Exercise and Sport Nutrition Laboratory at the Center for Exercise, Nutrition, and Preventative Health Research, Department of Health, Human Performance, and Recreation, Baylor University, Waco, Texas found some s, USA.) concluded that, “No significant differences were observed between groups in body composition, total body water, isokinetic quadriceps muscle endurance, or aerobic capacity.” And in the concluding comments it was noted that “AAKG supplementation appeared to be safe and well tolerated, and positively influenced 1RM bench press and Wingate peak power performance. AAKG did not influence body composition or aerobic capacity.”
While this randomized, double-blind study showed that the participants (all healthy men between the ages of 30 and 50) taking 12 grams of AAKG daily (divided into three 4 gram doses) on an empty stomach (who performed resistance training during eight weeks), did not suffer short-term side effects, there were also no positive enhancements to muscle mass or lean body fat. While there was a slight increase in strength and “peak power”, there were no overall effects on “body composition”, which is ultimately what athletes and bodybuilders want when taking a protein or nitric oxide supplement.
(Example Product: NSI NitrO2 Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate – 180 Tablets by Nutraceutical Sciences Institute)
But that’s just one study. Aren’t there others that prove the effectiveness of nitric oxide in popular MRI and BSN Supplements? Yes, there are lots of studies that endeavor to provide evidence that NO or arginine alpha-ketoglutarate AAKG supplements help to build muscle mass, but there’s a problem. Studies conducted to prove the benefits of AAKG or NO tend to focus on proving that a nitric oxide formulation will produce vasodilation with positive cardiovascular results and therefore offer consistent evidence that it’s effective in creating the feeling of increased muscle pump. There’s no doubt that NO supplementation is effective in stimulating circulatory functions with very useful medical applications especially for cardiovascular and respiratory disorders (amongst others). But that’s not the point! That’s not why BSN Supplements has created NO Xplode or why MRI Supplements sells Black Powder. These supplements have been created and marketed to bodybuilders and athletes who want BIGGER and STRONGER muscles, in other words, more lean body mass. And that’s the part that clinical studies haven’t conclusively proven to the satisfaction of the scientific community or skeptics who need “evidence” of a direct link between NO supplementation and increased muscle mass.
Does that mean that BSN Supplements like No-Xplode and MRI Supplements such as the popular Black Powder are ineffective? Not exactly. It depends why an individual is taking them.
A study conducted at the Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis regarding how oral L-arginine supplementation can affect individuals with chronic heart conditions, showed physical exercise was possible, and that cardiovascular function improvement, when participants were administered between 5 and 12 grams of L-arginine hydrochloride daily (during a 6 week period). This means that patients who may not normally be able to engage in physical activity may, if recommended by their physician, benefit from increasing their nitric oxide levels by taking arginine or AAKG supplementation. However, this should only be done under medical supervision with blood pressure monitoring and tests being conducted regularly to observe progress.
It’s also worth noting that an increase in strength or “peak power” may help bodybuilders and athletes to have better endurance, therefore perform more repetitions or undertake more intense workouts and thereby benefit from taking a nitric oxide supplement. The “muscle pump” factor may also be valuable to some bodybuilders and it’s quite clear that NO supplements work to enhance this exhilarating short-term sensation.
If you choose to take nitric oxide supplements…you may be wondering:
Do BSN Supplements like N.O. Xplode and the MRI Supplements such as Black Powder have serious side effects?
1. BSN N.O.-XPLODE™ NT
2. MRI Supplements Black Powder
As noted in the above cited clinical studies, it stands to reason that BSN supplement NO-Xplode / BSN Nitrix Advanced Vaso-Muscular Volumizer and MRI Black Powder with arginine alpha-ketoglutarate as a main ingredient and other bodybuilding products containing AAKG are well tolerated by most individuals. Perhaps the most common unpleasant side effects are headaches, nausea, and in some less frequent cases, diarrhea which can lead to feeling weak. Overall, the supplements are not considered harmful to healthy individuals.
There have been reports that some people may feel dizzy or have the sensation they might blackout if taking too high a dosage, or if their body isn’t used to the elevated nitric oxide. Another thing to consider: due to the fact that NO acts as a blood vessel dilator, which may be positive for many people, in some cases it can cause heart palpitations and increase blood pressure. Although it’s rare, a sudden elevation in nitric oxide can be toxic, which is why starting with a low dosage and increasing supplementation slowly, as per product instructions, is essential.
Due to the stimulating cardiovascular effects, potential toxicity, and other factors, women who are pregnant, mothers who are breastfeeding, and anyone with heart, liver or kidney conditions, should not use these supplements. Individuals with cardiovascular or circulatory conditions, who feel they may benefit from NO, should consult a physician, who after reviewing the patient’s specific medical history, will be able to determine if nitric oxide supplementation may be beneficial or contraindicated.
(Example products: Force Factor Pre Workout Capsules)
Glycocarn to Increase Nitric Oxide Production
A newcomer to the athletic performance enhancing supplement market is GlycoCarn, also known as GPLC (or glycine propionyl L-carnitine hydrochloride), said to aid in increasing nitric oxide levels in the body and deliver positive results in certain clinical studies. It may offer benefits such as increased nitrate levels, boost antioxidant defenses, reduce lactic acid responses, and stimulate better overall high intensity performance endurance. Again, most studies prove that GlycoCarn increases blood flow and acts similarly to AAKG, however it appear to have added antioxidant properties and may provide a reduction in post-workout muscular stress due to lessening the lactic acid response during training. These benefits, while not actually “building” muscle, may contribute to athletic performance by allowing bodybuilders to perform more high intensity workouts with less stress or injury to muscle groups and thereby being translated into more lean muscle mass.
It’s worth keeping an eye on further studies related to GlycoCarn (and products containing glycine propionyl L-carnitine hydrochloride) to see if further clinical studies will offer more evidence that athletes experience positive “reduction in blood lactic acid” and therefore better performance and recovery with less muscular injury.
Here’s what Ken Hassen has to say about how glycine propionyl works in this video called “Blood Vessels Benefit from Glyco-Carn”
(Example product: Glycine Propionyl-L-Carnitine Hcl Gplc 840 Mg 60 Caps by Swanson Ultra and NOW GPLC GlycoCarn with CoQ10 – 60 Vcaps)
Investigate a variety of relevant topics regarding supplements and protein:
1. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part I: Protein Shakes for Weight Loss and Athletic Performance…
2. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part II: Searching for the Best Creatine Supplement…
3. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part III: How HMB Muscle Repairing Collagen Supplements Work…
4. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part IV: Protein Supplements for Weight Loss…
5. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part V: Soy Protein Powder for Peri and Premenopausal Women…
6. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part VI: Is Leptin The Best Protein Supplement for Weight Management?…
7. Clinical Studies Explore Supplements Part VII: Do Nitric Oxide Supplements Help Build Muscle Mass?…
