Nitric Oxide and Chronic Fatigue
Nitric oxide is a compound in the body which is important in many biological processes. One of its functions is to relax the smooth muscles around the blood vessels to increase bloodflow and normalize blood pressure. Nitric oxide is the same compound that is increased by the drug Viagra to increase bloodflow to certain parts of the body. Actually when i went to a doctor named Jay Goldstein, he was experimenting with Viagra to treat CFS!
In Martin Pall’s theory of the cause of chronic fatigue, nitric oxide plays a central role. Nitric oxide is very beneficial, but it is also extremely reactive with the free radical superoxide, to form the damaging free radical peroxynitrite. If higher than normal levels of nitric oxide are produced, it may react to form high levels of free radicals within the body that can cause inflammation, cell damage, and lower energy production in the mitochondria.
From what i’m reading, I dont think that nitric oxide is the enemy in chronic fatigue, but free radicals like superoxide and peroxynitrite that form in it presence are (i think). Nitroglycerin is used in people with heart problems because it increases levels of nitric oxide at that leads to a dilation of blood vessels and a decease of blood pressure. So increasing nitric oxide levels, can provide benefits, without CFS like symptoms. Maybe this is only true, if the exposure to high levels isn’t chronic.
In my personal case with CFS, their are supplements that i responded well in the short term, but then crashed, that increased nitric oxide. L-arginine and relaxin made me feel great in the short term, but then i crashed and felt worse than before after being on them for a few days.(These 2 supplements stimulate nitric oxide). But right now i am doing well on Hydroxycobalamin B12 and CoQ10, which are both nitric oxide scavengers. I was wondering if the problem might be that i need to take these supplements at the same time. I feel like i need to stimulate nitric oxide, but at the same time take high doses of antioxidants to stop the increase in peroxynitrite and superoxide from getting out of control.
There also may be ways we can increase our sensitivity to nitric oxide. Drugs like ACE inhibitors might do this, while decreasing the formation of free radicals. SO it might not be a deficiency, it could be a sensitivity issue.
- Here is a youtube video about nitric oxide by Dr. Louis Ignarro. Go to 4:23 on the video to see, the man who won the noble prize for discovering nitric oxide, talk about optimizing nitric oxide levels in the body using supplements.
My hope is that there will be more research into Nitric Oxide as it relates to CFS. This is the first compound that i can see has a big effect on my symptoms. This might not be the answer to all types of CFS, but i do think it is a great direction to head in.
** Note - I’m not a doctor and am just trying to work this stuff out myself. If you have opinions or ideas to the contrary, feel free to write a comment.
