Neogenis Labs, based in Austin, Texas, is advancing research into the importance of nitric oxide to your overall health, particularly in men and women over the age of 40.
Nitric oxide is naturally produced in the body and is known as a “messenger molecule,” because it helps the cells of the body communicate with one another.
Nitric oxide [NO] levels tend to decline as we age. This is especially true for those who eat a fast food western diet void of foods containing this important molecule.
Because it controls physiological processes in virtually every organ system along with offering immune and nervous system support it is vitally important to maintain adequate levels.
When the body produces less and less nitric oxide the key role this molecule plays in the body is affected and may be responsible for the decline in overall health. This deficiency can easily increase your disease risk factors, including cardiovascular disease.
The Discovery of Nitric Oxide’s Role in the Body
In 1998, Ferid Murad, Robert F. Furchgott, and Dr. Ignarro won the Nobel Prize for the discovery of nitric oxide as a signaling molecule in the cardiovascular system. This messenger molecule or “spark of life” helps the body maintain optimal cardiovascular, immune, and nervous system function.
With over three decades of research leading to more than one hundred thousand published papers the current knowledge of NO’s key roll in the human body continues to reveal the importance of maintaining high nitric oxide levels. In fact, Dr. Ignarro states:
NO keeps your cardiovascular system young by making it elastic, clean, and fit. Optimizing NO production is like having your cardiovascular system do yoga every day.
Dr. Ignarro has stated he believes the molecule nitric oxide may prevent and cure many diseases at once including the prevention of heart disease through a NO boosting regimen.
Dr. Nathan Bryan Educates on Benefits of NO
Many doctors are still unaware of NO’s far reaching benefits and it takes time for education to reach consumers.
Neogenis Labs is dedicated to groundbreaking scientific research and product innovations along with educating doctors and consumers. Their Chief Science Officer, Dr. Nathan Bryan recently spoke at the World Health Organization Symposium in Paris, and is scheduled to speak at the American Association of Anti-Aging Medicine (A4M) Conference.
Read a review of Dr. Bryan’s book > The Nitric Oxide (NO) Solution
Foods That Increase Nitric Oxide Levels
NO can be generated by consuming foods such as green leafy vegetables, beets, and celery and through regular exercise.
Some of the other common foods with NO generating capacity are:
Very High: celery, cress, chervil, lettuce, red beetroot, spinach, rocket (rucola).
High: celeriac, Chinese cabbage, endive, fennel, kohlrabi, leek, parsley.
Middle: cabbage, dill, turnip, savoy cabbage.
Low: broccoli, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, pumpkin, chicory.
Very low: artichoke, asparagus, board bean, eggplant, garlic, onion, green bean, mushroom, pea, pepper, potato, summer squash, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon.
A USDA funded study at the Texas A&M University revealed that watermelon also contains the amino acid citrulline which is converted into arginine in the body and goes on to produce nitric oxide in the body.
Foods high in both arginine and citrulline include:
- almonds
- dark chocolate
- garbanzo beans
- melons
- peanuts
- red meat
- salmon
- walnuts
You can boost your NO levels by incorporating these foods into your diet. However, eating a well balanced diet rich in vegetables is not always easy.
This is why we were happy to learn of Neogenis Labs because they have formulated a natural supplement that is easy to take called Neo40.
You can also receive a convenient test kit when you purchase the Neo40 supplement so you can check your NO levels at home on an ongoing basis.
This simple test gives you immediate feedback so you can continue to monitor your NO levels till they reach optimal levels. After that you can check your levels on an ongoing basis while maintaining a maintenance program to ensure this messenger molecule continues to support your body’s defenses to disease.
Are All Nitric Oxide Supplements Created Equal?
After we became aware of the benefits of boosting the body’s nitric oxide levels our Internet searches quickly revealed that not all nitric oxide supplements are created equal. Many of the NO boosting supplements are designed to target fitness buffs and body builders.
We found these supplements often contained high amounts of L-arginine and caffeine. To help us sort through the confusion we presented our findings to Karen Manroe, the Chief Marketing Officer for Neogenis Labs.
Nitric Oxide’s Role in our Health—Questions and Answers
Sandy Breckenridge: Karen, I was so very excited to learn about the role this amazing molecule plays in our health after watching an interview with Dr. Ignarro.
His story about the discovery of nitric oxide’s role in maintaining good health was not only exciting but also hopeful that a single messenger molecule could play such an important role in keeping potential ailments at bay.
However, I soon discovered quite a bit of conflicting information on the Internet. I found many manufacturers have created supplements that also claim to boost nitric oxide levels. Then along with these finding other resources shared warning about side effects of these so-called nitric oxide boosting supplements. Some even advised that you had to take additional supplements to ward off any side effects. And others stated that taking nitric oxide could raise blood pressure, or leach other nutrients. Why is this so, and how is Neo40 any different?
Karen Manroe: First, I want to share that as you found, all the other NO based supplements on the market currently use megadoses of L-arginine (3000-5000mg) along with caffeine (which will cause an elevation in blood pressure).
The formulations for muscle building supplements are not effective at all at creating nitric oxide. In fact, the caffeine will offset any of the NO that may be produced.
Neo40 was formulated to be safe and efficacious and does not require any additional supplement to offset any side effects.
Sandy: So, how does Neo40 work to help the body build up NO levels in the body?
Karen: Neo40 was specifically designed to restore your body’s nitric oxide production, which when deficient is the earliest event of poor health and poor outcome.
Since NO regulates numerous biological and physiological functions, restoring this critical molecule will have wide ranging benefits. Depending on individual diets and lifestyle habits, different people may be deficient in other nutrients and should supplement accordingly.
Neo40 will enhance the uptake and absorption of whatever other supplements someone may be taking.
Sandy: I notice Neo40 ingredients looks quite safe and natural. It seems that hawthorn and beetroot juice do not “force” the body to do anything like taking mega doses of L-arginine. Rather, Neo40 encourages the body to produce its own nitric oxide. Can you tell me more about the findings behind your products effectiveness?
Karen: We have discovered nitric oxide activity in a few select herbs and botanicals after screening more than 100 natural substances. We strategically designed Neo40 with the nutrients your body needs to optimally restore NO production.
Part of this occurs through the L-arginine pathway which we exploit by providing L-citrulline so the body can more effectively make L-arginine to produce NO.
The body makes L-arginine from L-citrulline through the urea cycle. The other part of the NO pathway is through the actions of beetroot and hawthorn. In short we have created a system to overcome the body’s inability to convert L-arginine to nitric oxide.
This has recently been demonstrated in our recent clinical trial. The trial was a double-blind, placebo controlled study in patients over forty with three or more cardiovascular risk factors. Taking Neo40 twice a day for 30 days improved nitric oxide availability by 100% and also led to a 27% reduction in triglycerides and reduction in C-reactive protein.
Sandy: I see, yes. I also learned that supplemental arginine doesn’t enter cells readily unless it is combined with L-citrulline, another amino acid. So you are actually working with the body in the most natural and effective pathway.
Karen, I watched the the two short videos on the Neogenis Labs website. I noticed a before and after slide in the video that showed blood flow. Where those red slides showing a person who responded to Neo40?
Karen: Yes, these videos which are also included in our short introduction video are real time footage in one of our preclinical studies. The footage shows that eating a high fat and high cholesterol diet leads to vascular dysfunction that can be restored by nitric oxide. The first shot is the artery, with endothelial dysfunction, as indicated by the plaque build-up and restricted blood flow. The second shot is the same artery after nitric oxide production was encouraged in the body. Blood flow increased and plaque build-up was reduced.
Watch Neogenis Labs Intro Video
Sandy: I am so impressed with what I have learned thus far. I have a few more questions I would like to ask.
I used the easy to use Neogenis test strips and found I was in the normal range, so that was good! However, I am wondering could it have been because my diet the last month has been rich in green veggies, beets, and I have been juicing a lot. My partner who has been on a similar diet was quite low. Should a person test once a month or once a week if they find they were in the normal range?
Karen: We recommend testing after at least a 4 hour fast for baseline readings. We also recommend testing about 10 minutes after taking Neo40 to test the residual activity shortly after taking the lozenge and then again after two and a half to three hours.
The NO effect is bi-phasic showing an immediate effect on NO production and then a secondary effect when the beetroot and hawthorn are utilized and metabolized in the body to generate NO. This pathway takes several hours.
So testing after two and a half to three hours after the Neo40 should reveal an increase. However, it may take a period of days or weeks to replete the levels if the person is low or depleted. It takes a while to restore physiology.
Sandy: Thank you Karen, I think that is all the questions I have for now. I appreciate you taking the time to help us share with our readers the truth about NO, and the controversy over nitric oxide side effects, and the safety and importance of supplementing with Neo40.
Also, we look forward to reading and reviewing The Nitric Oxide (NO) Solution: How to Boost the Body’s Miracle Molecule to Prevent and Reverse Chronic Disease written by Nathan S. Bryan, PHD and Janet Zand, OMD. So stay tuned!
Karen: You’re welcome Sandy.
