Grand Canyon Times

New scientific research supports the hypothesis that nitric oxide may improve athletic performance, as well as reducing symptoms of chronic sinusitis.

Nitric oxide is a colorless gas and is known as a “signaling molecule,” according to Wikipedia. Its biological functions are vast, from anti-inflammatory properties, immune defense against viruses and parasitic organisms, hormonal effects, its influence on the secretion of hormones, to regulating bladder function and protecting the skin from ionizing radiation, making it one of the most important molecules in the body. 

According to Healthline, chronic sinusitis is mostly caused by nasal allergies, nasal obstruction, nasal polyps or infections. Chronic sinusitis corresponds with more than a 50% reduction in nasal nitric oxide levels. 

Evidence suggests that lack of nitric oxide may even contribute to the development of the disease. In a study of 82 patients, nitric oxide levels were significantly lower in patients with nasal polyps than those with uncomplicated allergic rhinitis, according to Clinical and Experimental Allergy.

“Usually patients with chronic sinusitis have issues breathing through the nose,” Dr. Brian Lee of Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center told Grand Canyon Times. “Most patients come in saying that they're chronic mouth breathers, they don't sleep very well, they wake up with a really dry mouth, they start snoring more or louder. A lot of that just comes down to their nose being plugged and not functioning properly.”

Nitric oxide inhaled during nasal breathing improves blood oxygenation, suggesting that there may be a positive effect on athletic performance, according to Train Right. 

According to Medical Hypotheses, research shows that in an assessment from the European Respiratory Journal, patients can naturally increase nitric oxide concentrations simply by humming. One study from the JAMA Network found that levels increased sevenfold during humming. In one case report, chronic rhinosinusitis symptoms such as postnasal drip, facial or maxillary sinus pain and inflammation of sinus were essentially eliminated in four days by using a humming regime, possibly due to antifungal properties of nitric oxide. 

To learn more about this article or to take a self sinus assessment, visit Scottsdale Sinus and Allergy Center.