Lecture: The Role of Nitric Oxide in Health and Disease

Introduction

• Nitric Oxide (NO) is crucial in medicine and health.
• Dr. Nathan Bryan, a biochemist, emphasizes the importance of NO in health, brain function, and longevity.

Key Functions of Nitric Oxide

• Regulates blood flow and oxygen delivery.
• Loss of NO production is an early event in age-related chronic diseases:
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Diabetes
  • Alzheimer's
  • High blood pressure
  • Cardiovascular disease
• NO deficiency signs: inability to exercise moderately, difficulty walking up stairs.

Problems with Current Medical Practices

• 50% of patients don't respond to blood pressure medication due to lack of targeting NO.
• Many oral products, like toothpaste and mouthwash, harm the oral microbiome, affecting NO production.
• Medicine is often business-focused rather than cure-focused.

Personal Insights from Dr. Nathan Bryan

• Inspired by personal experiences, including a father with non-healing wounds.
• Restoration of NO production can have significant healing effects.

Production and Decline of Nitric Oxide

• NO is produced in the endothelium (lining of blood vessels).
• Decline begins around age 30; 10-12% decline per decade.
• Factors affecting NO production: lifestyle, diet, oral hygiene.

Chronic Diseases Linked to NO Deficiency

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): first symptom of NO deficiency.
• High blood pressure: results from inadequate blood vessel dilation.
• Metabolic diseases and diabetes: NO essential for insulin signaling.
• Alzheimer's: NO aids in blood flow, glucose uptake, and reduces inflammation.

Research and Career Highlights

• Inspired by Nobel prize-winning research on NO.
• NO discovered as a signaling molecule crucial for health.
• Personal mission to increase awareness and understanding of NO.

Lifestyle and NO Production

• Avoid sugar and high glycemic foods; they hinder NO production.
• Oral hygiene: avoid fluoride toothpaste and antiseptic mouthwash.
• Exercise and sunlight exposure can increase NO levels.

Oral Microbiome

• Essential for NO production via conversion of dietary nitrate.
• Use of antibiotics and certain dental products can disrupt this process.

Controversies in Medicine

• The influence of big pharma on medical practices.
• Need for integrated approach in medicine, focusing on root causes.

Longevity and NO

• NO is key to longevity, affecting:
  • Stem cell mobilization
  • Telomere length
  • Mitochondrial function

Conclusion

• Future of medicine may heavily rely on understanding NO.
• Educating the public on NO can lead to improved health outcomes.