Do Nitric Oxide Supplements Really Work?

The buzz around the gyms and weight rooms is that if you want a shortcut to bigger muscles, more vitality and increased sexual performance you should use nitric oxide supplements. These supplements are marketed under a variety of names. They have one ingredient in common. It is L-arginine.

The amino acid L-arginine stimulates the production of nitric acid in the body. Don't confuse nitric acid, a vasodilator, with nitrous oxide (laughing gas) that is used by many dentists for anesthesia. The theory behind the use of nitric acid stimulators is that by dilating the blood vessels in muscles that have been exercised more nutrients get to the muscle and it grows faster.

By the way, the mechanism of action of Viagra and Cialis is also to stimulate vasodilation in the male sex organ in order to enhance an erection.

The question that we ask is whether nitric oxide stimulators really do what some say they do. The bottom line answer  is that a fair amount of research has been done in order to determine if taking a nitric acid supplement results in bigger muscles or better exercise tolerance. The results have not been promising. If you are inclined to try one of these supplements you will find that they are pricey and you may not be able to determine the amount of L-arginine in it. A more cost effective solution would be to buy  L-arginine capsules produced by a reliable manufacturer.