Beets, N.O., & COVID Prevention

Nitric Oxide (NO) is naturally synthesized in mammals when we’re provided with the necessary ingredients. Fortunately, an easy ingredient to give to our body to assist in Nitric Oxide production is beets.

In previous editions of The 120/Life b;pg, we’ve discussed the benefits of beets as they pertain to blood pressure normalization. NO is a powerful vasodilator and anti-inflammatory which helps dilate blood vessels, bring more oxygen into blood vessels (allowing the oxygen to flow and be delivered to our tissues and organs), and help prevent inflammation (and scarring/stiffening) of our blood vessels. Its anti-inflammatory nature comes from being both antibacterial and antiviral.

In previous studies involving cell cultures, NO has been shown to inhibit the ability of the SARS virus (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) to make as many copies of itself. This inhibition decreases the viral load, which is a key element of the illness severity. And in a study with monkey cells which had been infected with COVID, scientists showed that here too, Nitric Oxide—through its antiviral properties—had the impact of inhibiting COVID’s ability to make as many copies of itself!

In terms of COVID severity, oxidative stress has been a major cause of deaths from COVID that are related to co-morbidities (i.e. Obesity, Type 2 DM, HTN, COPD etc.). It has been shown in studies that Nitric Oxide has the potential to stabilize oxidative stress. This fact along with its “profound” antiviral properties, were addressed in an article published in New Journal of Chemistry this January. In discussing the role of Nitric Oxide in this piece, they stated that “the role it plays in relieving symptomatic severity of COVID-19 are supportive of the fact to deliver NO as a therapeutic option for this disease.”

So, to summarize: we know that beets help our body produce Nitric Oxide. We know that the NO helps our body normalize our blood pressure. It now looks like NO, and by extension beets, might help our bodies reduce COVID severity.*

Some additional foods that can help our bodies with NO production are:

• watermelon
• kale
• swiss chard
• spinach
• celery
• turmeric/curcumin (also anti-inflammatory)

Check out our ebook for more information on blood pressure (if it’s high it’s a COVID comorbidity), and our website for additional COVID resources.

Remember 120/Life! The beets help your NO production, plus it has nature’s anti-inflammatories, anti-sclerotics, potassium-sparing diuretics, ACE inhibitors, a smooth muscle relaxer, and a calcium channel blocker all in one 8oz bottle!

Here’s to your health!

*This is not medical advice, but rather medical hypothesis based on previously established knowledge, as well as trials that are presently underway.