Get a grip on clammy hands
DO you experience cold hands and feet after sitting in the office all day long? This often happens to women, especially among desk-bound executives or those leading sedentary lifestyles. Cold hands and feet are related to blood circulation and nitric oxide.
In 1998, Dr Louis Ignarro won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of nitric oxide’s role in the cardiovascular system.
Since then, the popularity of dietary supplements containing L-arginine and L-citrulline has increased as both promote the production of nitric oxide.
Nitric oxide has been dubbed the “miracle molecule” as it fights off various vascular diseases and improves wound healing and muscle gain.
L-arginine is an amino acid involved in the production of nitric oxide – a key messenger molecule involved in protein production, wound healing, erectile function and fertility. L-citrulline is an amino acid that plays an important role in nitric oxide metabolism and regulation.
In our body, L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine to support both L-arginine and nitric oxide levels. The level of L-arginine in the body is critical to the production of nitric oxide.
There is a science behind nitric oxide functions and how increasing nitric oxide levels appropriately can help with circulation. Nitric oxide signals the smooth muscles of the endothelium (inner lining of blood vessels) to relax and constrict to facilitate blood flow.
Optimal nitric oxide production not only improves blood circulation and vascular health, it also assists in promoting collagen synthesis and wound healing.
An optimal level of nitric oxide is important for ideal vasodilation, leading to improved blood circulation and benefiting those who are diabetic, overweight, leading sedentary lifestyles or used to be active smokers.
In our body, L-citrulline is converted to L-arginine in the body to support both L-arginine and nitric oxide levels. The level of L-arginine in the body is critical to production of nitric oxide.
If you fall in one of the mentioned categories, these are some symptoms of poor blood circulation you might be facing:
l Cold hands and feet – Our blood flows consistently to keep our body at a healthy, comfortable temperature. Poor circulation causes a chill in areas of the body with many nerve endings such as the hands and feet.
l Tingling and numbness in extremities – It is common to experience tingling sensations and numbness in limbs that are inactive for too long. What differentiates normal numbness from poor circulation is that those with the latter condition experience it more frequently, with symptoms that last a few minutes.
l Slow healing of wounds among diabetics – Good circulation ensures a good flow of nutrients and oxygen and plays an important role in the healing of wounds. Diabetic patients typically have poorer circulation, leading to a delay in wound healing.
l Erectile dysfunction – Men with poor circulation may experience insufficient blood flow to their reproductive organs. It may then eventually lead to erectile dysfunction.