Nitric oxide supplements

[skidivefish]

Does anyone know of any scientific or proven research on the NITRIC OXIDE enhancing supplements.. ie L-ARGANINE.. supposed to be a vaso dialator, and its great for working out,, just wondering if its a benefit or detriment to FREEDIVING

 

[Rik]

A quick search on Pubmed showed that the effect of NO-donors on performance is still debated. Three out of five articles showed some improvement, but I couldn't check if these where double blind placebo controlled studies with sufficient participants to show an significant improvement.

 

[growingupninja]

For what it's worth, I have upped my apnea work (this would include spearfishing) in the last 3 or 4 weeks to at least 5 times per week and been using L-Arginine supplemtents (BSN Nitrix). Initially one of my limiting factors with increased apnea training was lactic acid build-up (I am only doing dynamic in some form or another). I thought perhaps Nitrix would be good for promoting recovery since I have used it in other sports for muscle recovery when training hard. I am sure that my body has become better at working under hypoxic conditions but now I can get through my toughest pool sets with no soreness the next day, and this can't be entirely related to just strengthening my legs as they were already in very good condition before I increased my training. It's not a very scientific test but I may cycle off Nitrix and see if I notice a difference. I need tougher pool sets, too, but am waiting for a pulse O2 meter to come before I push the sets further.

 

[vasile]

For what it's worth, I have upped my apnea work (this would include spearfishing) in the last 3 or 4 weeks to at least 5 times per week and been using L-Arginine supplemtents (BSN Nitrix). Initially one of my limiting factors with increased apnea training was lactic acid build-up (I am only doing dynamic in some form or another). I thought perhaps Nitrix would be good for promoting recovery since I have used it in other sports for muscle recovery when training hard. I am sure that my body has become better at working under hypoxic conditions but now I can get through my toughest pool sets with no soreness the next day, and this can't be entirely related to just strengthening my legs as they were already in very good condition before I increased my training. It's not a very scientific test but I may cycle off Nitrix and see if I notice a difference. I need tougher pool sets, too, but am waiting for a pulse O2 meter to come before I push the sets further.

That is great data you put together,just a curiosity, have you checked your blood pressure value, prior and post nitric oxide supplements?Or if your blood pressure is constant during supplement use.Many thanks!

 

[growingupninja]

That is great data you put together,just a curiosity, have you checked your blood pressure value, prior and post nitric oxide supplements?Or if your blood pressure is constant during supplement use.Many thanks!

No, I haven't lately. My blood pressure is always with-in normal ranges. In the past when I have used Nitrix (and been using it consistently and as directed for some weeks) I did check my blood pressure a few times and it was still normal. It might be an interesting test to check it prior/post but anytime I have played around with a blood pressure cuff, the readings even in one sitting tend to vary 10% or more.

I know many supplement companies like to promote L-arginine products to body builders as something that will increase the 'vascular' look but it never did anything like that for me. Just helped speed up recovery times between workouts and helped with intense plyometric training (which creatine ethyl ester would do for me on its own). Besides that the only other thing was it made drinking alcohol unpleasant. I am not a heavy drinker, especially when training hard, but when taking Nitrix regularly and training hard, more than one beer made me slightly nauseous.

I do intend to get better with my record keeping. I don't even believe in diving with a watch but I use timers for training and since I am beginning to understand my own MDR I find it useful to check my pulse when training.

 

[aharon solomons]

Concerning the importance of NO to freedivers, I have long considered it to be very important.The bloodshift ( ischemia and reperfusion ) produces a lot of free radicals ( ROS )
NO apart from being a vasodilator is also one of the most potent antioxidants known. The only supplements I have heard mentioned are L-Arganine and CQ 10 as for their effectiveness ,I have no exact information ,but rest is a hell of a good supplement !!

 

[monkeyhatfork]

My experience with arganine was a sharp downturn in performance it seems to blow all your oaxygen real quick i tried it once in the pool and stopped my session after 3 dives it made me feel so uneasy. I do like creatine and post workout aminos. Once took a product called jack3d it had arganine in it but also creatine. Some kinda vasocontrictor and cafiene and other energy components that jacked up your heart rate it should not have worked but somehow it did