Nitric Oxide

[Guest guest]

What do people think of the Nitric Oxide theory of CFS:

http://molecular.biosciences.wsu.edu/faculty/pall/pall_cfs.htm

I also read that minocycline was being used to treat CNS diseases, and

they thought it might be the Nitric Oxide aspects that were being helped.

" Minocycline as a Neuroprotective Agent " - Stirling et al.

Neuroscientist.2005; 11: 308-322.

I have been on bactrim and doxicycline, and both of them helped my CFS

symptoms (almost complete resolution of joint and muscle pain).

Although, the bactrim side effects were pretty horrendous after a while.

Thanks,

Kat.

[Guest guest]

The following information for the University of Berkeley might be helpful:

Berkeley Wellness Alerts

Univeristy of California

http://www.berkeleywellnessalerts.com/alerts/healthy_heart/arginine-for-your-hea\

rt288-1.html?ET=bwalerts:e899:45096a: & st=email & s=ERA_110521_001

May 17, 2011 | Comments: 1

Arginine for Your Heart

*

Arginine, an amino acid, is sold as a heart-healthy dietary supplement. Before

you consider taking it, here’s advice to take to heart.

Arginine is an amino acid (a building block of protein), produced in the body

and found in many foods—especially those rich in protein, such as dairy

products, meats, fish, nuts and soybeans. Most of the time, we produce or

consume all we need. Though arginine serves many purposes in the body, one of

its most important jobs is as a precursor for nitric oxide, which in turn is

also vital, particularly to cardiovascular health and the healthy functioning of

blood vessels.

What the research shows:

Arginine supplements have been seriously studied as treatment for heart disease,

among other things. Preliminary studies have found that they can improve the

function of blood vessels, enhance coronary blood flow, lower blood pressure and

even reduce angina and other symptoms in people with heart and/or vascular

disease. There’s evidence arginine can be used to treat heart failure.

However, two well-designed studies raised red flags about arginine supplements

and the heart. One, conducted by researchers at Stanford University, found that

they did not help people with peripheral arterial disease and may even have made

matters worse.

And a study at s Hopkins Hospital found that arginine supplements given to

heart attack patients dramatically increased deaths. The study had to be halted;

researchers warned strongly against using arginine for heart attack patients.

Unsubstantiated supplement claims

Arginine supplements are often sold in various forms, including pills and

powdered drink mixes. You may remember the HeartBar, a once-popular soy-based

candy bar with arginine that claimed to reduce or eliminate the need for

medication and surgery among patients with heart disease. But the Federal Trade

Commission stopped the company from making such unsubstantiated medical claims.

There is no evidence from human studies that arginine supplements prevent heart

disease or ease its symptoms.

Bottom line

The benefits of arginine supplements are uncertain, and their long-term safety

is unknown. Healthy people do not need them. Briefly boosting nitric oxide may

not actually benefit people with cardiovascular disease, let alone those hoping

to avoid it. Excess nitric oxide could have adverse effects. If you have heart

disease or are at high risk, you should be under a doctor’s supervision; there

are proven drugs that can help. Cardio-protective drugs such as statins and ACE

inhibitors (for high blood pressure) increase nitric oxide availability.

To protect your blood vessels and keep them in good shape, exercise is the best

option. Among its many cardiovascular benefits, it probably boosts nitric oxide

production.

Ralph Giarnella MD

Southington Ct. USA

________________________________

From: Pitruzzello <tonypit45@...>

Supertraining

Sent: Mon, July 11, 2011 10:25:35 PM

Subject: Nitric Oxide

Has anyone done any research on nitric oxide? It seems like nitric oxide

supplements are " the buzz. " I tend to dismiss most of that as baloney. But

I once thought that of creatine, which actually is safe and effective. So,

I thought I would inquire about NitOx. Any thoughts?

--

J. Pitruzzello, Ph.D.

Chicago, Illinois