What is Nitric Oxide?

EnRhythm One begins with the discovery of a molecule
called Nitric Oxide (which we will sometimes refer to in an
abbreviated version as NO). When we are “in rhythm,” our
body produces Nitric Oxide. It is one of the smallest
molecules found in nature, made up of one nitrogen atom
and one oxygen atom. NO is fundamental to all life—
humans, animals, insects, and plants. In the human body,
Nitric Oxide is made inside vascular, nerve, and immune
cells. It is then rhythmically released into the surrounding
tissues as a gas. NO participates in the healthy function of
all main organ systems.
Immune, vascular and neural cells release a constant level of Nitric Oxide in rhythmic
cycles called puffing. This low level of NO relaxes cells and keeps them in a mildly alert
state. When these cells detect viruses, bacteria, or free radicals, they activate and produce
more NO. This signals a cascade of biochemical events designed to destroy viruses,
bacteria, and free radicals. For this reason, NO is called a “signaling molecule”; however,
NO by itself also attacks and neutralizes viruses, bacteria, and free radicals. Once the
invader is neutralized, NO signals the attack to stop (called “down regulating”), which
initiates another biochemical cascade, returning cells to a relaxed, alert state.
In 1992, Science magazine named Nitric Oxide “the molecule of the year,” based on the
vast amount of research pointing to its importance in the healthy functioning of the body.
In 1998, Robert F Furchgott, Louis J Ingnarro, and Ferid Murad won the Nobel Prize for
Physiology and Medicine for key discoveries regarding NO as a signal molecule in
cardiovascular health. In 2000, Nitric Oxide was the most studied endogenous molecule of
the decade, with over three hundred new publications related to NO being written per
month. Since the discovery of Nitric Oxide, there have been over 20,000 scientific papers
written about it. The governments of many countries as well as many pharmaceutical
companies have invested over two hundred and fifty million dollars ($250,000,000) in
research.
Some of the benefits attributed to the cellular release of Nitric Oxide include:
Nitric Oxide is Rhythmic
Researchers call the rhythmic release of Nitric Oxide by the cells “puffing.” The release of
NO takes place in six minute “puffing cycles.” During the three-minute rising phase of
puffing, NO signals cells to relax, move further apart, thin their walls, and become
rounder. During the falling puffing phase, NO dissipates, causing cells to go on alert,
cluster together, thicken their cell walls, and become asymmetrical.
Flat lining Nitric Oxide
Flat lining is a term used to describe a compromise in NO rhythm. During flat lining, NO
production is diminished, and can even stop completely. The main cause of flat lining is
unresolved stress and trauma. Over time, flat lining leads to pro-inflamation and a
depressed immune function which results in tissue pathology. This manifests as a lack of
energy, joint pain, decreased sexual drive, headaches, mild depression, memory loss, and
poor digestion. Over a longer period of time, if NO rhythms are not restimulated, these
symptoms can escalate into major diseases, which include:
• Cardio Vascular Disease (Arteriolar Scorlsis, Stroke, Heart Attack)
• Diabetes
• Alzheimer
• Depression
• Auto Immune Diseases
• Erectile Dysfunction
• Motor Neuron Disease
• Cancer
For example, one of the largest areas of medical research is the role of NO in
cardiovascular disease. NO works directly with the linings of blood vessels called the
endothelium. The endothelium is the innermost layer of tissue that lines arteries and blood
vessels. The blood vessels in the skin, brain, heart, and all organs are lined with
endothelial cells. We have 100,000 miles of blood vessels creating a endothelium surface
area larger than a football field.
When endothelium cells are healthy, they puff Nitric Oxide. In the presence of Nitric
Oxide, blood vessels are pliable and elastic and able to naturally expand and contract withthe pulsation of blood. White blood cells and platelets are able to move freely in the blood
stream. Simultaneously, Nitric Oxide acts as an immune enhancer, searching out and
destroying opportunistic bacteria, viruses, and free radicals throughout the endothelium.
An unhealthy endothelium becomes inflamed due to flat lined Nitric Oxide. The
endothelium surface becomes hard and sticky, causing blood cells and platelets to adhere
to blood vessel walls, leading to atherosclerosis. The consequences of this are far-reaching.
For example, research is quickly being accumulated that re-defines Alzheimer’s (which
was thought to be a neurological disease) as a vascular disorder. Over time, capillaries in
the brain are compromised due to flat lined Nitric Oxide, resulting in a reduced oxygen and
glucose supply to brain cells which leads to neurological dysfunction, cellular death, and
dementia.
Stress, Rhythm, and Nitric Oxide
Ideally, being in rhythm is achieved through continual adaptation to the different rhythms
or stresses of life. When we adapt and change to meet what life has brought us, we
achieve a state of maximum health and wellness. When we are in rhythm, our body is
“nature’s drugstore” and spontaneously creates Nitric Oxide. This signals the release of a
cascade of healing chemicals far more powerful than any pharmaceutical drug.
When we hear the word stress, it is often associated with something unhealthy and
unpleasant rather then indicating changing life rhythms. Expressions like, “I am under a
lot of stress” imply stress is something to be avoided. This leads to television
commercials of people floating in the Caribbean, sipping pina coladas and reinforcing the
belief that a life without stress would be perfect. Nothing could be further from the truth.
People who float in the Caribbean for too long will naturally seek change—or change will
find them. Although it may not seem intuitive, a long vacation can be just as stressful as
overworking. We need change and the challenge of adapting to change in order to maintain
our health. It is not surprising that men who retire with the idea of “no stress” are more
likely to experience illness then those that continue working.
Stress and adaptation to stress are like two sides of a see-saw: Energy change causes
stress, which pushes up on the see-saw. As the see-saw rises, we go on alert, adapt to the
speed of the descent, relax, and land softly. All goes well when we have learned to adapt
to and enjoy the rocking movement of the see-saw. Through adapting well to change, we
discover an inner rhythm which we call “being EnRhythm.”

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