Denton County Living Well Magazine January/February 2019 | Page 49

Aging and
Nitric Oxide production:
As we age, we lose the ability to pro-
duce nitric oxide from our endotheli-
um. By age 40, we lose 50% of ability
to produce nitric oxide and by age
60, we lose 85% of ability to produce
nitric oxide from our endothelium. This
is part of aging process as we dam-
age our arteries as we age. Is this
mean we are doomed and bound to
develop heart disease and other vas-
cular disease?
Fortunately, there are other methods of
producing Nitric Oxide. Our body can
produce nitric oxide from nitrates and
nitrites found naturally in our foods.
Dark green leafy vegetables, such as
kale, spinach, arugula, swiss chard,
beet green and beet are good sourc-
es of nitrate and nitrite. Other good
sources are broccoli, cauliflower, cab-
bage, bok choy, and carrots.
When we chew these foods, friendly
bacteria on our tongue reacts with
saliva to convert the nitrate to nitrite.
In our stomach, nitrites are convert-
ed to nitric oxide where it goes into
the blood stream. Once in the blood
stream, nitric oxide functions as a mes-
senger to relax the arteries and causes
the vasodilation and allows increase
in blood flow and circulation.
Because friendly bacteria on the
tongue helps produce nitric oxide, it
is important to maintain healthy oral
health. Avoid using mouthwash as it
kills the healthy bacteria that are nec-
essary to produce nitric oxide. Try us-
ing baking soda as a tooth paste and
oral rinse, instead.
Here is how you can reverse heart dis-
ease with nutrition
1. Eat fist size serving of dark green
leafy vegetables with few drops of
balsamic vinegar or any other vin-
egar six times spread throughout
the day. Dark green leafy vegeta-
bles such as kale, spinach, swiss
chard, arugula, beet greens, and
beets have high concentration of
Douglas Won, MD
Orthopedic Regenerative Medicine Specialist
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeon
Dr. Douglas Won, a co-founder of Whole Green
Living is a dual fellowship-trained physician and
Board-certified by the American Board of Ortho-
pedic Surgeons. Dr. Won is an innovator of Stem
Cell Technology for over 12 years for Orthopedic
and Spine conditions. He is active in the research
and development of innovative stem cell therapy
as well as spine care and in using advancing
technology to create personalized treatment plans
for variety of orthopedic conditions and cervical,
thoracic and lumbar disorders.
Dr. Won and Whole Green Living help others
achieve optimal health through the life-changing
power of whole food plant-based nutrition, exer-
cise, avoidance of toxins, and restoration practices.
They’re devoted to helping you along your personal
journey to develop and sustain this healthy lifestyle
free of many chronic diseases and conditions
threatening quality and length of life.
nitrates that promotes the forma-
tion of nitric oxide (NO), the most
powerful vasodilator.
2. No OIL. Oils causes vasoconstric-
tion and raises blood pressure.
The oil also causes damage to en-
dothelium, inner lining of arteries,
where nitric oxide is produced.
3. Chew your food. Bacteria on your
tongue needs to interact with the
food. Avoid juicing as they quick-
ly add calories and it doesn’t con-
tain any fiber.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Achieve Optimal Health with
Plant Base Nutrition
For more information about
how to prevent & reverse
chronic disease naturally and
activate your stem cells to re-
pair and regenerate, check out
www.NeoGenStemCell.com.
We also offer free seminar on
nutrition second Saturday of ev-
ery month at TreeHouse Dallas.
4. Eat starches, non-starchy vegeta-
bles and fruits. Starches are im-
portant for satiation so that you do
not get hungry. Starches are root
vegetables, beans, peas, lentils,
squash and 100% whole grains.
5. Avoid all foods high in fat includ-
ing butters, coconut, olives, nut
and nut butter.
6. Avoid caffeinated coffee as they
are vasoconstrictors
7. Avoid processed sugars.
8. Avoid all animal foods, meat,
dairy, and eggs.
9. Avoid salt in cooking and at the
table
Cancer and Immune System:
Nitric Oxide is a messenger that sig-
nals our immune system to protect the
body against bacteria and cancer cell
growth. Nitric oxide has been shown
to protect the skin from sun damage
that can lead to cancer and slow down
the growth of other cancerous tumors.
Nitric oxide is also released by im-
mune system to fight against bacteria.
Diabetes:
Patients with diabetes are at high risk
of developing vascular disease such
as hypertension, atherosclerosis, kid-
ney disease and blindness. Both type
1 and type 2 diabetics suffer from
endothelium dysfunction as the in-
ner lining of the artery is damaged.
Therefore, diabetics produce less ni-
tric oxide which further damages the
blood vessel, which leads to heart
disease and other vascular disease.
Nitric oxide can improve vascular
function and reduce the progression
and complications of both heart dis-
ease and diabetes.
Supplementation:
Dark green leafy vegetables are one
of the best sources of nitrates, but
there are also supplements that pro-
mote production of nitric oxide; how-
ever, not all of these supplements are
equal. Look for supplements that are
all natural and organic, no additives
or fillers or any other stimulants which
are vasoconstrictor.
SEARCH FOR DR. DOUGLAS WON
DENTON COUNTY Living Well Magazine | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2019
47