DiseasesFlu—Is nitric oxide the missing link in immunity?
Sources: 8 · Article: 9 339 characters
Nathan S. Bryan claims that nitric oxide can prevent the flu virus from multiplying.
- According to him, NO supports circulation, helps immune cells reach the site of infection, and reduces inflammation.
- Bryan recommends eating green vegetables and getting moderate exercise to increase NO production.
- Andrzej Frydrychowski writes that the body converts arginine into NO, which widens blood vessels.
- Igor Dogocki points out that some oral bacteria can produce NO, and links the oral microbiome to gut and lung immunity.
What the authors write
Nathan S. Bryan
Nitric oxide can prevent the flu virus from multiplying.
„Nitric oxide prevents replication of many viruses, including flu, RSV, and COVID. If you can’t make nitric oxide, then these viruses quickly replicate, propagate, and cause you to get sick from infection.
This is obvious in patients at highest risk of infection, hospitalization, and death from flu, RSV, and COVID.”Nitric oxide prevents replication of many viruses including flu, RSV and COVID. If you can’t make nitric oxide, then these viruses quickly replicate, propogate and cause you to get sick from infection.
This is obvious in patients at highest risk of infection, hospitalization and death from flu, RSV and COVID.
Nathan S. Bryan
NO can support circulation and help immune cells reach the site of infection.
„The circulation is compromised, so the immune cells are slow to respond and reach the site of virus attachment. By that time, the virus has already entered the cells and started replicating out of control.
Furthermore, the immune cells’ ability to produce nitric oxide is compromised, so they can’t produce sufficient nitric oxide to further shut down virus replication.”The circulation is compromised so the immune cells are slow to respond to reach the site of virus attachment. By that time the virus has already entered the cells and started replicated out of control.
Furthermore, the immune cells’ ability to produce nitric oxide are compromised so they can’t produce sufficient nitric oxide to shut down the virus replication further.
Nathan S. Bryan
NO can reduce inflammation and decrease the number of some receptors and molecules that viruses attach to.
„If your body is already inflamed, then there is an upregulation of these receptors, and that is one of the reasons why some people always get sick and others do not.
Nitric oxide suppresses inflammation and downregulates a number of receptors and adhesion molecules on endothelial and epithelial cells.
Bottom line: if you do not want to get sick, you had better make sure your body has sufficient nitric oxide.”If your body is already inflamed, then there is an upregulation of these receptors and that is one of the reasons why some people always get sick and others do not.
Nitric oxide suppresses inflammation and down regulates a number of receptors and adhesion molecules on endothelial and epithelial cells.
Bottom line is if you do not want to get sick, you better make sure your body has sufficient nitric oxide.
Nathan S. Bryan
Nathan S. Bryan recommends measures to increase NO production, including eating green vegetables and getting moderate exercise, as protection against flu and other respiratory viruses.
„Consider taking a safe and effective nitric oxide supplement that can improve your nitric oxide levels.
These are very simple, inexpensive, and effective strategies to keep you safe and healthy from any seasonal respiratory virus like flu, RSV, and COVID.”Consider taking a safe and effective nitric oxide supplement that can improve your nitric oxide levels.
These are very simple, inexpensive and effective strategies to keep you safe and healthy from any seasonal respiratory virus like flu, RSV and COVID.
Andrzej Frydrychowski
Arginine can strengthen immunity, and the body converts it into NO, which widens blood vessels.
„It strengthens the immune system and is used in diabetes treatment and prevention. One of its important roles is helping release growth hormone. L-arginine is converted into nitric oxide (NO), which causes blood vessels to widen. The daily requirement is 2–6 g.”Wzmacnia układ odpornościowy, działa w przypadku cukrzycy i w jej profi laktyce. Jej ważna rola to udział w uwalnianiu hormonu wzrostu. L-arginina przekształcana jest w tlenek azotu (NO), który powoduje rozszerzenie naczyń krwionośnych. Dzienne zapotrzebowanie wynosi: 2 – 6 g.
Igor Dogocki
Some oral bacteria can produce NO, and the oral microbiome is linked to the basic immunity of the gut and lungs.
„Bacteria that form this specific bacterial flora can, for example, reduce inorganic nitrates to nitrites and nitric oxide. Thanks to this ability, they are a new therapeutic target in the treatment of hypertension. For example, allowing selected bacteria to colonize the oral mucosa can normalize blood pressure!”Bakterie tworzące tą specyficzną florę bakteryjną potrafią np. redukować nieorganiczne azotany do azotynów i tlenku azotu. Dzięki tej właściwości stanowią nowy cel terapeutyczny w leczeniu nadciśnienia. I tak np. umożliwienie kolonizacji błony śluzowej w jamie ustnej wybranym bakteriom może normalizować ciśnienie krwi !
Igor Dogocki
The author links the oral microbiome to gut and lung immunity.
„This diverse microbiome, living on the surface of mucous membranes from the mouth throughout the entire digestive tract, remains in constant, inseparable communication with the largest and most influential part of the mucosal immune system—the GALT tissue (gut-associated lymphoid tissue). This tissue determines how effective the first line of defense is across all mucous membranes. That is why the oral microbiome is also part of the basic immunity of the gut and lungs!”Ten różnorodny mikrobiom bytujący na powierzchni błon śluzowych od początku w jamie ustnej poprzez całość przewodu pokarmowego, pozostaje w ciągłej, nierozerwalnej komunikacji z największą oraz najbardziej wpływową częścią układu immunologicznego związanego z błonami śluzowymi – tkanką GALT (ang. gut associated lymphoid tissue). Tkanka ta warunkuje efektywność pierwszej linii obrony wszystkich śluzówek. Dlatego mikrobiom jamy ustnej jest też częścią podstawowej odporności jelit i płuc !
Research from PubMed · Europe PMC
We selected 2 studies with the best, positive results. This is a selection, not a full review of all research.
Total number of studies on this topic in PubMed: 109.
A review indicates that nitric oxide production may inhibit viral replication, but its use in treating respiratory infections requires further research.
Aim of the study: Nitric oxide (NO) is a gasotransmitter of great significance to developing the innate immune response to many bacterial and viral infections, while also modulating vascular physiology. The generation of NO from the upregulation of endogenous nitric oxide synthases serves as an efficacious method for inhibiting viral replication in host defense and warrants investigation for the development of antiviral therapeutics.
Results: With increased incidence of global pandemics concerning several respiratory-based viral infections, it is necessary to develop broad therapeutic platforms for inhibiting viral replication and enabling more efficient host clearance, as well as to fabricate new materials for deterring viral transmission from medical devices. Recent developments in creating stabilized NO donor compounds and their incorporation into macromolecular scaffolds and polymeric substrates has created a new paradigm for developing NO-based therapeutics for long-term NO release in applications for bactericidal and blood-contacting surfaces. Despite this abundance of research, there has been little consideration of NO-releasing scaffolds and substrates for reducing passive transmission of viral infections or for treating several respiratory viral infections.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · NHLBI NIH HHS, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studydiscussion of other studies
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
In mice, 3-fucosyllactose supplementation protected against lethal flu, and nitric oxide levels rose after infection.
Aim of the study: Viral pathogens, particularly influenza and SARS-CoV-2, pose a significant global health challenge. Given the immunomodulatory properties of human milk oligosaccharides, in particular 2'-fucosyllactose and 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL), we investigated their dietary supplementation effects on antiviral responses in mouse models.
Results: In addition, 3-FL promoted leukocyte infiltration into the site of infection upon viral challenge. 3-FL supplementation provided protective efficacy against lethal influenza challenge in mice. The demonstrated antiviral efficacy spanned multiple influenza strains and extended to SARS-CoV-2. In conclusion, 3-FL is a unique immunomodulator that helps protect the host from viral infection while suppressing inflammation prior to infection.
Money for the studygovernment, public institutions · National Research Foundation of Korea
Do the authors have ties to companies?not stated
Did a manufacturer help with the study?unknown
Type of studyanimal study
“Not stated” does not mean nobody paid — the database does not always record it.
Perspectives and opinion materials
The content below presents the authors’ opinions, interpretations and hypotheses. It is not treated as equal to scientific studies and systematic reviews.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„(1996) Pathogenesis of influenza virus-induced pneumonia: involvement of both nitric oxide and oxygen radicals. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 93:2448-2453. Keshan Disease Research Group. (1979) Observations on effect of sodium selenite in prevention of Keshan Disease. Chin. Med. J. 92:471-476. Taylor, E.W. (2009) The oxidative stress-induced niacin sink (OSINS) model for HIV pathogenesis. Toxicology 278:124-130. Wang Y, Huang J, Sun Y, et al. (2021) SARS-CoV-2 suppresses mRNA expression of selenoproteins associated with ferroptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress and DNA synthesis. Food and Chemical Toxicology 153:112286.”(1996) Pathogenesis of influenza virus-induced pneumonia: involvement of both nitric oxide and oxygen radicals. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 93:2448-2453. Keshan Disease Research Group. (1979) Observations on effect of sodium selenite in prevention of Keshan Disease. Chin. Med. J. 92:471-476. Taylor, E.W. (2009) The oxidative stress-induced niacin sink (OSINS) model for HIV pathogenesis. Toxicology 278:124-130. Wang Y, Huang J, Sun Y, et al. (2021) SARS-CoV-2 suppresses mRNA expression of selenoproteins associated with ferroptosis, endoplasmic reticulum stress and DNA synthesis. Food and Chemical Toxicology 153:112286.
Orthomolecular Medicine News Service Opinion material
„Endothelial dysfunction—characterized by impaired nitric oxide signaling, increased permeability, oxidative stress, and inflammatory activation—precedes and drives sustained vascular stiffness and pressure dysregulation. High blood pressure, in this context, reflects a loss of endothelial boundary regulation and structural vascular resilience. Neuroinflammatory Disorders: Blood-brain barrier compromise permits peripheral inflammatory mediators and immune cells to enter neural tissue, amplifying oxidative stress and microglial activation.”Endothelial dysfunction - characterized by impaired nitric oxide signaling, increased permeability, oxidative stress, and inflammatory activation - precedes and drives sustained vascular stiffness and pressure dysregulation. High blood pressure, in this context, reflects loss of endothelial boundary regulation and structural vascular resilience. Neuroinflammatory Disorders Blood-brain barrier compromise permits peripheral inflammatory mediators and immune cells to enter neural tissue, amplifying oxidative stress and microglial activation.
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