Hey everyone,

This week on The Diary Of A CEO, Steven Bartlett sits down with Dr. Nathan Bryan, a biochemist and leading expert on a molecule that could fundamentally change our understanding of health, longevity, and chronic disease: Nitric Oxide (NO).

You might associate “nitrous” with laughing gas or race cars, but nitric oxide is a naturally produced gas in our bodies that plays a foundational role in everything from blood flow and oxygen delivery to immune function, energy production, and even stem cell mobilization. Dr. Bryan explains that the age-related decline in our body’s ability to produce NO is potentially the earliest event in the onset of major chronic diseases like high blood pressure, erectile dysfunction, diabetes, and even Alzheimer’s.

This conversation is an eye-opener, revealing the science behind NO, why common habits (like using certain mouthwashes) might be detrimental, and practical steps you can take to support your body’s natural NO production. Dr. Bryan shares his personal journey, including a family health crisis that led him to this research, and offers a compelling case for why understanding nitric oxide is crucial for taking control of your health.

Here are the detailed key insights and takeaways:

1. What is Nitric Oxide & Why Does it Matter?

• The Molecule: NO is a simple gas (one nitrogen, one oxygen atom) naturally produced in the body, primarily by the endothelium (the lining of blood vessels).
• Key Functions:
  • Relaxes Blood Vessels: Allows for dilation, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery.
  • Regulates Blood Pressure: Essential for maintaining healthy vascular tone.
  • Mobilizes Stem Cells: Helps repair and replace dysfunctional cells.
  • Improves Mitochondrial Function: Boosts cellular energy production.
  • Supports Sexual Function: Crucial for erections in both men and women (vasodilation).
  • Inhibits Inflammation & Plaque: Protects against cardiovascular disease.
• The Decline: Starting around age 30-40, our natural NO production decreases significantly (potentially 10-12% per decade), losing about 50% by age 40 and up to 75% by age 70-80.
• The “Earliest Event”: Dr. Bryan argues this loss of NO production is a primary trigger for age-related chronic diseases. Restoring it could prevent or even reverse many conditions.

2. Signs & Symptoms of Nitric Oxide Deficiency

• Erectile Dysfunction (ED): Often the very first sign (“canary in the coal mine”) as blood vessel dilation is essential.
• High Blood Pressure: As blood vessels lose the ability to relax and dilate, pressure increases. 50% of patients on blood pressure medication don’t achieve target levels, often because the underlying NO issue isn’t addressed.
• Exercise Intolerance: Can’t walk up a flight of stairs or exercise moderately for 15-20 minutes without significant effort.
• Cognitive Issues/Alzheimer’s: Reduced blood flow to the brain (focal ischemia) and impaired glucose metabolism are linked to Alzheimer’s. NO plays a role in correcting both.

3. What Destroys Nitric Oxide Production?

• Antiseptic Mouthwash: Kills the beneficial oral bacteria necessary for converting dietary nitrates (from leafy greens) into nitrite and then nitric oxide. Using mouthwash can increase blood pressure and negate the cardiovascular benefits of exercise.
• Fluoride: Found in most toothpastes and municipal water, fluoride is an antiseptic that kills oral bacteria, including the NO-producing ones. Dr. Bryan strongly advises against it.
• Antacids (Proton Pump Inhibitors, H2 Blockers): Stomach acid is required to convert nitrite (from saliva/food) into nitric oxide. Suppressing acid production inhibits this crucial step.
• Poor Diet (High Sugar/Starch): Sugar damages enzymes (glycation, think Hemoglobin A1C) including the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) enzyme responsible for NO production. It also disrupts the oral microbiome.
• Standard American Diet (SAD): Lacks sufficient nitrates from vegetables.

4. How to Improve Nitric Oxide Levels

• STOP Doing Harm:
  • Eliminate antiseptic mouthwash.
  • Use fluoride-free toothpaste.
  • Filter your water (removes fluoride, chlorine, etc.).
  • Address the need for antacids (often by fixing diet) rather than suppressing acid long-term.
  • Use a tongue scraper (ideally copper) to clean the tongue without killing beneficial bacteria.
• Dietary Strategies:
  • Eat Leafy Greens: Arugula, spinach, kale, beets are high in nitrates.
  • Avoid Sugar & Processed Foods: Protects enzymes and oral/gut microbiome.
  • Balanced Diet: Focus on whole, unprocessed foods.
• Lifestyle Factors:
  • Nasal Breathing: Activates NO production in the sinuses, which dilates airways and lowers blood pressure. Avoid mouth breathing.
  • Exercise: Stimulates NO production (but benefits are lost if using mouthwash!).
  • Sunlight/Red Light: Specific wavelengths can stimulate NO release.
  • Humming: Certain frequencies can activate NO synthase in nasal passages.
• Supplementation (Use with Caution/Guidance): NO-boosting supplements or lozenges exist but require understanding the underlying biochemistry.

5. Nitric Oxide & Longevity Hallmarks

Dr. Bryan explains how NO directly impacts the three key pillars of longevity:

• Stem Cells: NO signals for their mobilization and differentiation for repair.
• Telomeres: NO activates telomerase, the enzyme that prevents telomere shortening (the protective caps on DNA ends).
• Mitochondria: NO signals for mitochondrial biogenesis (creating new ones) and improves their function.

6. Medicine as a Business & The Need for Change

• The Epiphany: Dr. Bryan realized medicine often functions as a business focused on managing symptoms (acquiring and keeping customers on drugs) rather than curing disease, as there’s less profit incentive in cures.
• Siloed Approach: Traditional medicine treats the body in isolated parts (cardiologist for heart, neurologist for brain), often missing the interconnected root causes addressed by functional medicine.
• Undue Influence: Highlights the significant funding and influence of the food and pharmaceutical industries on research, medical education, and government policy (e.g., lobbying against removing soda from SNAP).
• Patient Empowerment: Advocates for patients taking control of their health, understanding their biology, and questioning standard care, using tools like advanced biomarker testing.

Final Thought:

Dr. Nathan Bryan makes a compelling case that nitric oxide is a vastly underappreciated molecule fundamental to our health and longevity. By understanding how it works and what disrupts its production, we gain powerful tools to prevent chronic disease and enhance vitality. His work challenges us to question conventional practices and embrace a more holistic, root-cause approach to well-being.

Find Dr. Bryan: Learn more about Dr. Nathan Bryan’s research, his book The Secret of Nitric Oxide, products, and educational resources at DrNathanSBryan.com and N1O1.com (N-One-O-One dot com). Find him on Instagram @drnathansbryan.

Until next time,
The Podcast Notes Team