Sunshine and Nitric Oxide - some new University research

[hurray]

It's been a while since I posted, but I saw something interesting on BBC news.

Several people (including me) have reported that sunshine seems to help prevent/treat POIS. We thought that perhaps this was because the UV rays help the body to produce Vitamin D. However, BBC news says that a new research paper from Edinburgh University shows that UV rays cause the body to release nitric oxide:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-edinburgh-east-fife-22433359

The article focuses on how nitric oxide reduces blood pressure - no doubt this is true. But nitric oxide also plays a key role in humans getting an erection.

Quoting the wikipedia entry for nitric oxide:

"Sildenafil citrate, popularly known by the trade name Viagra, stimulates erections primarily by enhancing signaling through the nitric oxide pathway in the penis"

I am fortunate enough that I am now living in a sunny climate, and my POIS symptoms are considerably reduced from when I was living in a cold country. Could a lack of Nitric Oxide be one of the reasons that we get POIS?

[Clycos]

Hey, I have noticed that too! I live in Canada in the winter and offen travel to Greece for a few months in the summer; pois symptoms are extremely reduced when I am in Greece. This is a sign that yes sunshine does contribute however also the psychological aspect as well.

[demografx]

Nitric oxide might have an interesting relationship to POIS . Some previous postings on the subject:

http://tinyurl.com/cfbmfxk

[hurray]

The psychological feel-good factor with sunshine is definitely a real thing, and being happy seems to be one of the things that keeps POIS away. It would be interesting to know if nitric oxide stimulation had a measurable effect on POIS too.

I thought of you when I saw the BBC article Demo - on TNS for a while we were speculating that your previous success with Levitra might be due to its nitric oxide stimulating qualities. I remember that I took supplements of the amino acid L-Arginine for a while. L-Arginine is the direct precursor of nitric oxide in the human body. My own results were inconclusive, sadly.

Some interesting discussions in your link!

[demografx]

Hurray, it's been great to be your forum-mate for so many years!

[hurray]

The pleasure is all mine, Demo  I hope I can post a bit more regularly in the future.

[demografx]

...It would be interesting to know if nitric oxide stimulation had a measurable effect on POIS too.

I thought of you when I saw the BBC article Demo - on TNS for a while we were speculating that your previous success with Levitra might be due to its nitric oxide stimulating qualities. I remember that I took supplements of the amino acid L-Arginine for a while. L-Arginine is the direct precursor of nitric oxide in the human body. My own results were inconclusive, sadly.

Some interesting discussions in your link!

I still find Levitra to help -- I just don't know the why, what, where, when!

Just like 2007!!!

[demografx]

The pleasure is all mine, Demo   I hope I can post a bit more regularly in the future.

Hurray, your 54 posts are HUGE when you consider the fact that *most* members are silent readers! Zero posts!