Part 3/11:
The Crucial Role of Nitric Oxide and Stem Cells
Supporting vascular health involves promoting the production of nitric oxide, a molecule that widens blood vessels and enhances blood flow. Certain foods, notably dark chocolate, beets, and spinach, stimulate nitric oxide synthesis. This improved blood flow can recruit stem cells from the bone marrow—primitive cells capable of transforming into various cell types, including new blood vessels and brain tissue.
Maintaining stem cell health and activity is vital because, over time, brain tissue tends to atrophy and shrink. Adequate blood circulation, bolstered by nitric oxide, helps sustain neurogenesis (the growth of new neurons), possibly delaying or reducing the risk of cognitive decline.