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This effect is caused by a number of factors. They are always: diet, training, mental strength and supplementation. When the muscles are pumped up, we want to keep them as long as possible. To help you with this, I will describe the substance responsible for this and a very useful type of supplement for this.
Nitric oxide (NO) is a substance that works on many levels. It affects various body systems, supporting them with its positive properties (depending on the system by which it is produced). Natural nitric oxide in the body is produced from arginine, which is a relatively exogenous amino acid. The production of NO from arginine takes place in the reaction:
L-arginine + NADPH + O2 → L-citrulline + NADP + H2O + NO
Or more simply:
Arginine -> Citrulline + NO
No biochemical reaction can take place in the body without the participation of the appropriate enzymes responsible for the process. In this case, it can take place in three main different ways divided by the places where nitric oxide is produced.
These are:
- nervous system tissues,
- endothelium of blood vessels,
- the immune system together with the cells of the cardiovascular system.
Nitric oxide boosters are supplements that play a role in increasing the level of nitric oxide production by the body. Boosters use various types of amino acid substance from which we naturally produce NO, i.e. arginine. Why? Well, you can't act directly with NO, because it is a very unstable compound, and the body can use it in very short periods of time. So you have to act indirectly (arginine) or even further away. More precisely, it is about citrulline, from which we can produce arginine, and from this in turn produce NO. The basic form of the amino acid arginine, which is added to the nitrogen complex, is L-Arginine.
It is added in larger amounts than other forms, because it is not able to reach the required level of action due to its instability in the human body. The most popular and at the same time very effective form of arginine is the so-called AKG (arginine alpha-ketoglutarate - keto acid), which is obtained by deamination of glutamic acid. AKG with its buffer properties allows for obtaining an optimal pH, which increases the effectiveness of the entire NO complex.
AKG is also a very good anti-catabolic, however, it works much shorter than other supplements that are strictly aimed at anti-catabolic. AKG effectively increases NO production, allowing for increased activity of NMDA receptors (glutamic acid receptors) responsible for the optimal and natural response of the body to stressors (stress factors).
Alpha-ketoglutarate is added in smaller amounts because it is:
• more effective when it comes to metabolizing,
• more bioavailable and stable, and lasts longer.
In nitric oxide boosters, it is important that they do not work for too short a time. Not only is the effect during the training session important. Yes, they can increase endurance and strength progress, but the time after training is equally important. Muscle regeneration is a process that allows for the rebuilding of muscle fibers, which gives us the opportunity to continue training without obstacles and a chance to make even greater progress. Citrulline is used to extend the effect of the nitrogen complex. In addition to the possibility of producing arginine from it by some cells, it can be used to strengthen the regenerative processes of muscle fibers. L-citrulline or its much better form - citrulline malate - is used for this purpose. The basic form, as in the case of arginine, is too unstable to be fully effective.
What are the benefits of using NO boosters?
It allows us to regulate blood pressure in the circulatory system more effectively. Regulation involves raising and lowering blood pressure depending on the needs at a given moment. Additionally, it reduces the risk of clots and allows for more effective relaxation of blood vessels. By increasing NO production, our blood vessels increase their volume, and thanks to this, they can receive larger amounts of blood. In turn, by taking in more blood, they take in more oxygen and minerals. This phenomenon turns out to be very effective in the case of a temporary increase in the body's natural NO during physical exertion. Additionally, by sticking to the principles of the diet, all necessary minerals will certainly be provided.
The boosters themselves are usually used cyclically, just like creatine. Arginine is also a precursor of creatine, so pre-workout boosters are ideally combined with creatine complexes after training. The booster has an anti-catabolic effect before a training session, while increasing endurance and work during exercise, while creatine activates a reaction that inhibits catabolic processes caused by physical exercise. It will also allow for strengthening and building new muscle fibers by activating the anabolic phase of our muscles. AKG from the booster as a buffer with the properties of obtaining optimal pH increases the effectiveness of creatine, because it works better in specific conditions (pH). An additional benefit of the nitrogen complex is the fact that the effect of the muscle pump and NO improving cell oxygenation can be attributed to the possibility of increasing access to energy reserves. The effectiveness of amino acids and sugars in relation to our body is then increased. This also happens with the help of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) resynthesis, which allows for faster rebuilding of the energy store, glycogen (sugar storage). That is why carbohydrates are often added to arginine. They give a bonus in the form of an energy boost before physical exercise.
Muscle fibers are subject to the tearing process. Nitric oxide boosters, on the other hand, allow for the strengthening and increase in the thickness of muscle fibers, thus causing post-workout overcompensation. Antioxidant, or antioxidant, abilities are also improved. This happens during the period of greatest exposure to attacks by free radicals that attack our cells. Boosters almost always contain smaller or larger amounts of creatine due to the benefits I mentioned earlier - it is not a rule that both compounds have to be present separately. The same is true for the content of vitamins and minerals, as well as other amino acids in nitrogen complexes - thanks to this, the absorption of amino acids additionally found in the supplement is much better and more effective, and the positive effect on muscle tissue is increased. This is a so-called synergistic reaction. One substance enhances the effect of the other, giving much better training effects.
Summary of the main benefits of NO boosters:
- Increased amount of cyclic nucleotides. They are normally formed during the connection of a phosphate group with two hydroxyl groups derived from the sugar residue. This in turn results in increased protein production in the body.
- Decreased platelet aggregation properties. Aggregation is the process of platelets sticking together. This reduces the risk of complications such as myocardial infarction.
- The immune system benefits in a positive way by increasing protection and more effectively fighting various types of viruses and bacteria. Regulation of the immune response.
- Protection against cholesterol oxidation, which in turn reduces the risk of heart attack and the risk of atherosclerosis. It allows for more effective capture of dangerous, free radicals.
- Possibility of achieving muscle hypertrophy, which causes muscles to increase in volume and vascularity to become more visible.
- Increasing energy resources.
- Better tissue oxygenation and charging with minerals.
- Increased transport of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
- Increased transport of sugars, and therefore faster glycogen regeneration (reserve sugar that is stored and, when released, is converted into energy).
- Increased performance and strength progress.
Janusz Ziółkowski - Dietician
