Nitric Oxide Glossary

  • An unwanted or harmful effect caused by taking a medication.
  • A progressive brain disorder that destroys memory and cognitive abilities, often linked to impaired blood flow and metabolism.
  • A nutritional approach that emphasizes foods that reduce inflammation, such as fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats.
  • Therapies designed to reduce chronic inflammation, often involving dietary, lifestyle, or pharmacological interventions.
  • Products designed to reduce oxidative stress by neutralizing free radicals.
  • Substances that protect the body from damage caused by free radicals.
  • The ability of blood vessels to expand and contract with blood flow. Reduced compliance can contribute to hypertension and cardiovascular disease.
  • A naturally occurring compound in the body that inhibits nitric oxide production. High levels are associated with cardiovascular risk.
  • A condition where plaque builds up inside arteries, narrowing them and restricting blood flow, increasing the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
  • A condition where the immune system mistakenly attacks the body’s own cells and tissues. Examples include rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
  • A root vegetable high in dietary nitrates, known to support nitric oxide production and improve blood flow.
  • A dietary supplement derived from beets, rich in nitrates that convert to nitric oxide in the body.
  • A natural nitrate-rich drink that supports nitric oxide production and cardiovascular health.
  • The degree to which a substance becomes available to the target cell after it is introduced into the body.
  • A standard diagnostic procedure to assess the force of blood against artery walls, used to detect hypertension.
  • Reducing calorie intake without malnutrition to potentially extend lifespan and improve health.
  • The system consisting of the heart and blood vessels, responsible for circulating blood and oxygen throughout the body.
  • A long-term health condition that typically progresses slowly, such as heart disease, diabetes, or arthritis.
  • A prolonged inflammatory response that can damage tissues and is associated with many chronic diseases.
  • A lung disease that makes breathing difficult due to airflow blockage and inflammation.
  • A research study conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of a medical intervention.
  • A gradual loss of cognitive abilities such as memory, decision-making, and focus, often associated with aging or dementia.
  • Mental abilities such as learning, thinking, memory, problem-solving, and attention.
  • Therapies aimed at improving memory, attention, and mental clarity, including nitric oxide boosting strategies.
  • A condition caused by the narrowing of the coronary arteries, reducing blood flow to the heart muscle, potentially leading to heart attacks.
  • Vegetables like spinach, kale, and arugula, naturally rich in dietary nitrates.
  • Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension, a plan designed to reduce blood pressure through diet.
  • A general term for loss of memory, language, problem-solving, and other cognitive abilities severe enough to interfere with daily life.
  • The use of nitrate-rich foods or supplements to boost nitric oxide levels for health benefits.
  • A situation where one drug affects the action of another, potentially causing side effects or reducing effectiveness.
  • Invisible energy waves from electronic devices that some believe can negatively affect health if overexposed.
  • A medical specialist focusing on hormone-related diseases.
  • A condition where the blood vessels' inner lining doesn't function properly, often leading to cardiovascular disease.
  • The performance of the endothelium (vessel lining) in regulating blood pressure, blood clotting, and immune function.
  • A non-invasive diagnostic procedure used to assess how well the endothelium (blood vessel lining) functions, often by measuring blood vessel dilation.
  • An enzyme in the blood vessel lining that produces nitric oxide, essential for vascular health.
  • The thin layer of cells lining the inside of blood vessels, playing a crucial role in blood vessel health and nitric oxide production.
  • The specific enzyme in blood vessels responsible for producing nitric oxide.
  • The inability to achieve or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual activity. Nitric oxide plays a key role in this process by improving blood flow.
  • Medical or natural therapies aimed at improving erectile function, often involving nitric oxide enhancement.
  • Tissue in the body that fills with blood to produce an erection, most commonly discussed in male sexual health.
  • The U.S. agency responsible for regulating food, drugs, medical devices, and supplements.
  • A group of plant compounds known for their antioxidant properties, found in fruits, vegetables, tea, and dark chocolate.
  • Molecules with an upaired electron that search for other electrons to stabilize their energy.
  • A medical approach that focuses on identifying and addressing the root causes of diseases, often integrating lifestyle and nutritional strategies.
  • A nutritional approach that focuses on using food and lifestyle interventions to address the root causes of disease.
  • A condition where the heart cannot pump blood effectively, leading to fatigue, shortness of breath, and fluid retention.
  • Toxic metals like lead, mercury, and cadmium that can accumulate in the body and disrupt biological functions.
  • Maintaining adequate fluid intake to support bodily functions, including nutrient transport and temperature regulation.
  • Elevated levels of fats (lipids) in the blood, including cholesterol and triglycerides, increasing cardiovascular risk.
  • The medical term for high blood pressure, a condition where the force of blood against artery walls is too high.
  • A condition where there is insufficient oxygen in the tissues.
  • The body’s defense system against infections, diseases, and harmful substances.
  • The body’s response to injury or infection, often resulting in redness, swelling, heat, and pain. Chronic inflammation can contribute to diseases.
  • A condition in which cells fail to respond properly to insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar.
  • The ability of cells to respond to insulin and effectively use glucose for energy. Low sensitivity leads to insulin resistance.
  • A dietary strategy that cycles between periods of eating and fasting to improve metabolic health.
  • A condition where blood flow (and thus oxygen) is restricted to a part of the body.
  • An amino acid that serves as a building block for proteins and is a precursor to nitric oxide production in the body.
  • A supplement providing the amino acid L-arginine, which is a precursor for nitric oxide production.
  • A supplement that can increase the natural production of L-arginine levels in the body.
  • Vegetables like spinach, kale, and arugula, which are rich in nitrates and other nutrients that support nitric oxide production.
  • A medical approach that uses lifestyle changes, such as diet and exercise, as primary interventions for preventing and treating disease.
  • A type of white blood cell that engulfs and digests bacteria, viruses, and other harmful particles in the body.
  • Supplements providing magnesium, an essential co-factor in nitric oxide synthesis and muscle function.
  • A heart-healthy eating pattern rich in fruits, vegetables, fish, olive oil, and whole grains.
  • A cluster of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, excess body fat, and high triglyceride levels, increasing the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
  • The chemical processes that occur in the body to convert food into energy and support life functions.
  • Essential vitamins and minerals that the body needs in small amounts for proper functioning.
  • Techniques like meditation, yoga, and breathing exercises to reduce stress and improve mental health.
  • The energy-producing structures within cells, often called the "powerhouses" of the cell.
  • A medical specialist focusing on disorders of the nervous system, including the brain and spinal cord.
  • A chemical messenger that transmits signals between nerve cells in the brain and nervous system.
  • Foods naturally high in nitrates, which convert into nitric oxide in the body. Examples include beets, spinach, and celery.
  • Compounds found in certain foods (like vegetables) that can be converted into nitric oxide in the body.
  • Nitric oxide (NO) is a naturally occurring gas that acts as a chemical messenger, playing a crucial role in various physiological processes, including blood vessel dilation, neurotransmission, and immune function. It is a small, reactive molecule that can diffuse through cell membranes and is(...)
  • A general term for supplements or foods designed to enhance nitric oxide levels in the body.
  • A colorless, odorless gas naturally produced by the body. It acts as a signaling molecule, regulating blood flow, vascular health, immune function, and cellular communication.
  • An enzyme responsible for producing nitric oxide from L-arginine in the body.
  • Nutritional products specifically formulated to increase nitric oxide production.
  • A condition where fat builds up in the liver unrelated to alcohol consumption, linked to metabolic syndrome.
  • Products derived from food sources that provide additional health benefits beyond basic nutrition.
  • The practice of prescribing a drug for a condition it was not originally approved to treat.
  • A medical approach that uses optimal amounts of natural substances, like vitamins and minerals, to restore health.
  • Medications available without a prescription, typically for minor health issues.
  • Cellular damage caused by oxidative stress, contributing to aging and chronic disease.
  • An imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body, which can lead to cell and tissue damage.
  • A neurodegenerative disorder that affects movement, balance, and coordination.
  • A circulatory condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to the limbs, commonly the legs.
  • Damage to nerves in the extremities (hands, feet), often causing tingling, numbness, or pain, common in diabetics.
  • The use of drugs to treat or manage a medical condition.
  • The study of how drugs interact with the body to treat or manage diseases.
  • Natural compounds found in plants that provide health benefits, such as flavonoids and polyphenols.
  • A diet centered on vegetables, fruits, grains, and legumes, with minimal or no animal products.
  • A buildup of lipids, cholesterol, and immune cells in artery walls that can restrict blood flow or cause blood clots.
  • The clumping together of platelets in the blood, which can lead to clot formation.
  • A hormonal disorder in women causing irregular periods, infertility, and metabolic issues.
  • The use of multiple medications by a patient, often increasing the risk of drug interactions and side effects.
  • Strategies to reduce the risks associated with taking multiple medications, especially in elderly or chronically ill patients.
  • Antioxidant compounds found in plant-based foods that support heart health and reduce inflammation.
  • Non-digestible fibers and other nutrients that feed beneficial bacteria, supporting immune health and nitric oxide production.
  • Drugs that require a doctor’s authorization to obtain and use.
  • Products containing beneficial bacteria that support gut and immune health, indirectly supporting nitric oxide production.
  • Live bacteria that promote a healthy microbiome in and on the human body and may aid in nitric oxide production through bacterial conversion of nitrates.
  • High blood pressure in the arteries of the lungs, which can strain the heart.
  • A treatment philosophy that focuses on restoring the body's natural functions, rather than suppressing symptoms with drugs.
  • A substance that helps transmit messages between cells or organs in the body, triggering specific biological responses.
  • A sleep disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts, often leading to fatigue and cardiovascular stress.
  • Practices that support quality sleep, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and reducing screen time before bed.
  • The typical and accepted level of treatment provided to patients for a specific condition.
  • A medical condition that occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is interrupted, leading to brain damage.
  • The amount of blood the heart pumps out with each beat. It affects overall circulation and oxygen delivery.
  • The range of drug dosage which can treat disease effectively without causing toxic effects.
  • A chronic condition where the body becomes resistant to insulin, leading to high blood sugar levels and elevation in insulin.
  • A type of dementia caused by reduced blood flow to the brain, often linked to stroke or vascular disease.
  • The flexibility of blood vessels to expand and contract. Loss of elasticity increases cardiovascular risk.
  • The body’s network of blood vessels, including arteries, veins, and capillaries, responsible for circulating blood.
  • The widening of blood vessels, which increases blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Nitric oxide is a key driver of vasodilation.
  • The widening of blood vessels, which increases blood flow and reduces blood pressure. Nitric oxide is a key driver of vasodilation.
  • A dietary approach emphasizing minimally processed foods such as vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds.