| There are four essential processes that function in | | | | however, when inflammation is chronic and involves |
| your body and they can work in either a positive or | | | | the arteries this can create conditions like |
| negative way. These processes are vascular tone, | | | | atherosclerosis. |
| coagulation, inflammation, andoxidation. Nitric oxide | | | | Here’s why sufficient levels of nitric oxide is vital |
| therapy can often make the difference on whether | | | | in preventing arteriosclerosis. If the cells on the inner |
| each of these processes can be beneficial or not. | | | | surface of your blood vessels are damaged this |
| Vascular Tone: This is the ability or your arteries and | | | | allows other types of cells to imbed themselves in |
| blood vessels to expand or contract with each beat | | | | the smooth muscle layer of the vessel. These cells |
| of your heart.If you have high blood pressure it | | | | release chemicals creating plaque which eventually |
| means your arteries areconstricted or you have | | | | willrestrict blood flow. As the amount of plaque |
| other blockages. This also limits your natural | | | | increases it can become brittle and break off. These |
| production of nitric oxide and ultimately this could | | | | pieces can create a log jam in the arteries of the |
| result in a heart attack or stroke. By supplementing | | | | brain and heart causing a stroke or heart attack. Nitric |
| your diet with nitric oxide (NO) you help promote the | | | | oxide therapy can help prevent the build up of plaque |
| flexibility and vascular tone resulting in lower blood | | | | and reduce the likelihood of a life threatening |
| pressure. | | | | cardiovascular event. |
| Coagulation: In normal circumstances coagulation or | | | | Oxidation: Oxygen, of course, is essential for life |
| clotting is an essential body function. If you cut | | | | itself,however, when the body uses oxygen, it |
| yourself the clotting function causes blood platelets | | | | creates byproducts from the oxidation process which |
| to stick together and stop the bleeding. The negative | | | | can be either beneficial or harmful. Without oxidation |
| side to coagulation occurs when your blood vessel | | | | our cells would not be able to burn glucose giving us |
| walls have been damaged perhaps due to the | | | | energy. |
| accumulation of plaque. Blood platelets will begin to | | | | On the downside when oxidation occurs it |
| accumulate at this spot as they would with any | | | | producesby products called free radicals. These free |
| injury. The problem occurs when these platelets | | | | radicals cause problems by neutralizing nitric oxide. |
| break loose and cause a blockage downstream | | | | This, in turn, can contribute to cardiovascular disease |
| where the blood vessel is narrower. This can cause a | | | | and the aging process. |
| stroke or heart attack. | | | | Nitric oxide can lower the effect of oxidative stress |
| Nitric oxide helps the blood flow freely throughout | | | | that contributes to cardiovascular disease. However, |
| the arteries and vessels keeping them clean and free | | | | its effectiveness can be reduced by the presence of |
| of debris. It also helps breakup plaque and platelets | | | | free radicals in the body. Antioxidants will hunt down |
| preventing the formation of clots. | | | | and destroy these free radicals keeping them from |
| Inflammation: This is a process that can take many | | | | neutralizing nitric oxide. |
| years to develop and over time will cause | | | | This article may be reprinted free of charge as long |
| atherosclerosis which is the accumulation of plaque on | | | | as the content is not changed and the author’s |
| the walls of the arteries. On the positive side, | | | | resource is included in the reprint. |
| inflammation is the way your body fights infections, | | | | |