Best Supplements for Nitric Oxide: Safe and Reliable

Nitric oxide is an important biological messenger that is used by the body to send signals to the muscles of blood vessels. What are the best supplements for nitric oxide biosynthesis and the resulting improvement in blood circulation? Find out how you can increase nitric oxide levels to avoid such conditions as erectile dysfunction, diabetes, and heart disease.

1. L-Arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that is used by the body for the production of nitric oxide. Numerous studies have demonstrated that L-arginine supplementation markedly lowers systolic and diastolic blood pressure in hypertensive patients. L-arginine is well-tolerated in doses that do not exceed 20 g per day. 

Here is one of the top-rated L-arginine supplements on iHerb:

L-Arginine, 180 Capsules, 700 mg per capsule by NOW Foods

• Allergen free
• Needs to be taken with at least 8 oz (240 milliliters) of water or juice
• Well-known brand

2. L-Arginine and French Maritime Pine Bark Extract 

As low levels of nitric oxide can be one of the causes of erectile dysfunction (ED), there have been carried out several studies that tested the efficacy of a combination of L-arginine and pycnogenol (French maritime pine bark extract) for improving the symptoms of this condition. Such supplementation was found to have no side effects and, according to the studies’ participants, markedly improved both hardness of erection and satisfaction with sexual intercourse.

In one study, daily doses of 1.7 g of L-arginine and 80 (with a subsequent increase to 120) mg of pycnogenol were used.

In another study, daily doses of 0.69 g of L-arginine, 60 mg of pycnogenol plus 552 mg of aspartic acid were administered to the participants.

French maritime pine bark extract (which is sold under such trade names as Pycnogenol, Oligopin, and Flavangenol) contains various bioactive compounds (proanthocyanidins, catechins, and phenolic acids) that have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory effects. Still, as of now, Pycnogenol cannot be recommended for the treatment of any chronic disorder and more research into its properties is required.

You can buy the best nitric oxide supplements for ED on iHerb. Here is one of the highest-rated products that contain French maritime pine bark extract:

Pycnogenol, 60 capsules, 100 mg per capsule by Life Extension

• Non-GMO plus gluten-free
• Reputable brand

Aspartic acid is an amino acid that is required for the synthesis of proteins and various other biochemical purposes. It can be found in such foods as asparagus, avocado, oat flakes, and oysters. Here is a food supplement with aspartic acid that comes from a reputable brand: 

L-Aspartic Acid Powder, 100 g by Source Naturals

• ½ teaspoon contains approximately 1.9 g of aspartic acid
• Contains no artificial colors, flavors, and preservatives

3. L-Citrulline 

L-citrulline is an amino acid that can be converted into L-arginine and then used for the production of nitric oxide. L-citrulline from supplements has considerably higher bioavailability compared to L-arginine, and can increase L-arginine levels in blood better than L-arginine itself. 

Not only are L-arginine and L-citrulline the best nitric oxide supplements for high blood pressure, but they both can also be used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. A 2017 study shows that a large proportion of patients with erectile dysfunction have low L-arginine and L-citrulline levels. In a 2011 study daily doses of 1.5 g of L-citrulline were administered to 24 patients with mild ED; half of them reported an improvement in the erection hardness and an increase in the number of intercourses.

L-citrulline is considered safe even in high doses. 

Here is one of the best L-citrulline supplements on iHerb:

L-Citrulline, 60 capsules, 500 mg per capsule by California Gold Nutrition

• High-quality Kyowa Hakko® L-citrulline
• Non-GMO plus gluten-free
• Well-known brand

If you want to use large doses of L-citrulline you might find it more convenient to use it in the powdered form. Here is one of the best nitric oxide supplements by GNC that contains laboratory grade fine L-citrulline powder:

L-Citrulline, 91.5 g (3.23 oz) by GNC

• One scoop contains 3 grams of L-citrulline
• Chemically pure
• Well-known brand

4. Citrulline Malate 

A compound formed by L-citrulline and malic acid is called citrulline malate. There is a hypothesis that malate form offers better bioavailability than L-citrulline alone; what’s more, malate is a part of the tricarboxylic cycle, which brings energy to the body. Citrulline malate is very popular with athletes who need both nitric oxide to improve blood flow and as much energy for muscles as possible. A 2015 study demonstrated that citrulline malate helps markedly improve exercise performance.

Here is one of the best citrulline malate supplements on iHerb:

Citrulline Malate, 200 g (7.0 oz), 2 000 mg per serving by Primaforce

• Well-known brand
• Purity and potency extensively tested
• Unflavored

5. L-Arginine and L-Citrulline 

Many people who wonder what are the best nitric oxide supplements decide on complex supplements that contain both L-citrulline and L-arginine. Some manufacturers offer greater quantities of L-arginine and smaller quantities of L-citrulline in their products: this might make it difficult for you to take these compounds in the doses that were used in medical studies. 

Here is a high-rated dietary supplement that contains equal quantities of both compounds:

Arginine-Citrulline, 120 tablets by Jarrow Formulas

• 500 mg of L-citrulline and 500 mg of L-arginine per tablet
• Use 3 tablets daily so that your dosage is close to that used in the studies
• Sustained release: both compounds are released at a slower rate to make their blood levels as stable as possible
• Additionally contains vitamin C to protect nitric oxide from the breakdown caused by free radicals
• Reputable brand

6. Antioxidants

Nitric oxide is an unstable compound; your body needs to constantly replenish its amounts in the bloodstream. Among other factors that contribute to nitric oxide breakdown are chemically active molecules called free radicals. Antioxidants help neutralize free radicals so that nitric oxide lasts a bit longer and its levels in the blood get higher.

7. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is one of the best-known antioxidants that is also important for the immune system and the health of connective tissues (including skin and cartilage).

There are three main types of vitamin C supplements: ascorbic acid (can cause stomach discomfort if taken in large doses), ascorbates (salts of ascorbic acid that do not affect the stomach; they are rather quickly excreted from the body), and liposomal vitamin C (regular ascorbic acid that is placed inside a lipid sphere). It is the liposomal version that has the highest bioavailability of all vitamin C types and keeps staying in the bloodstream until it is used by the cells.

Here is one of the best liposomal vitamin C supplements on iHerb:

Liposomal vitamin C, 500 mg per capsule by Dr. Mercola

• Dependable brand
• Can be taken in a daily dose of 500 mg (enough for most healthy adults)
• 180 capsules

8. Vitamin E

Vitamin E (tocopherol) is another powerful antioxidant. This fat-soluble compound is incorporated into cells to protect them from free radicals. A condition called ataxia can result from gene anomaly in some persons; people who suffer from it have difficulty absorbing vitamin E from food sources and need to take it from dietary supplements.

Here is one of the highest rated vitamin E supplements on iHerb:

Naturally Sourced Vitamin E, 100 softgels, 100 IU per softgel by Solgar

• Reputable brand
• Does not contain gluten, wheat, or dairy
• Vitamin E is dissolved in safflower oil for optimal absorption

9. Glutathione

Glutathione is an extremely important bioactive compound that is used by the body for prevention of oxidative stress and detoxification. There are two alternative ways to increase its levels via supplementation: you can either use supplements that contain glutathione itself or decide on chemical precursors of glutathione such as N-acetylcysteine (NAC).

The first way is believed to be ineffective because of glutathione’s poor bioavailability. The second way is considerably more promising because NAC is easily absorbed by the body.

Here is one of the most popular supplements that contain glutathione:

Glutathione, 60 capsules, 250 mg per capsule by NOW Foods

• Well-known brand
• Non-GMO

Here is one of the best NAC supplements:

NAC Detox Regulators, 180 capsules by Doctor’s Best

• 600 mg of N-acetylcysteine per capsule
• Each capsule additionally contains selenium (50 mcg) and molybdenum (50 mcg) to boost glutathione production and action
• Dependable brand

Healthy Diet

You don’t necessarily have to buy dietary supplements to boost nitric oxide production in the body. Leafy vegetables like arugula, celery, cress, dill, lettuce and spinach as well as such a root vegetable as beetroot contain large quantities of nitrate. In fact, research shows that dill (2,936 mg per kg), spinach (2,508), lettuce (2,167), and beetroot (1,446) are so rich in nitrate that their action in lowering blood pressure can be compared to that of medications. 

Still, there is a catch: nitrate that you get with food needs to be converted into nitrite. This happens — of all places — on the surface of your tongue. Bacteria that live there take nitrate from saliva and transform it into nitrite that is then swallowed. If you use mouthwash and mouth sprays that have strong antimicrobial action, you might kill these beneficial bacteria which in turn might lead to a marked decrease in nitric oxide production and cause elevated blood pressure.

What’s more, as nitric oxide is required for the proper action of insulin, frequent (at least two times a day) use of mouthwash is also suspected of increasing the risk of developing diabetes or pre-diabetes. Thus, if you decide to solely rely on vegetable sources to regulate your nitric oxide levels, be sure to avoid using antibacterial mouthwash or use it as sparingly as possible.

You don’t have to eat a lot of beetroots to boost your nitric oxide production as there are such products as beet powders that contain pulverized dried beetroot. Use them to add natural red color to your smoothies, shakes, yogurts, and various other dishes.

Here is one of the most popular beet powders on iHerb:

Organic Beet Powder, 240 g (8.5 oz) by California Gold Nutrition

• Organic
• Vegetarian
• Sourced from the USA
• Non-GMO
• Does not contain gluten or soy

There are also complex supplements that combine L-citrulline, beetroot extract, and vitamin C. Here is one of the best of them — highly recommended:

Beet Root RED, 60 liquid softgels by Irwin Naturals

• Serving size: 4 softgels
• Each serving contains L-citrulline (1,500 mg), vitamin C (90 mg, 100% daily intake), beetroot extract (150 mg)
• Additionally contains vitamins B₆ and B₁₂ (required for cellular energy metabolism) as well as numerous vegetable extracts (black and cayenne peppers, red spinach, red ginseng, pomegranate) known for their antioxidant properties
• MCT (medium-chain triglyceride, easily absorbed by the body) oil and flaxseed oil (precursor of omega-3 fatty acids) are used as carrier oils
• No artificial preservatives added

Regular Physical Activity

Physical exercise was shown to keep your endothelial cells (i.e. the cells that line the blood vessels and produce nitric oxide) healthy.

The good news for people who do not think of themselves as athletes is that there is no need to do strenuous exercise: it is the regularity that truly matters. People who exercised for 30 minutes three times a week for 10 weeks were shown to enjoy better endothelial health and higher nitric oxide production. Try to combine walking and jogging (aerobic training) with weight lifting (anaerobic training).

Now you know the best supplements for nitric oxide biosynthesis. Take care, avoid stress, and stay healthy!