Nitric Oxide: The Doses Are Modest, and You May Already Be Taking These

Nitric Oxide — $39.99, 60 capsules, two a day, 30-day supply. Three ingredients, all disclosed, and we are going to be straight about the amounts.

What is in a serving

Per two capsules:

• L-Citrulline DL-Malate: 400 mg
• L-Arginine Hydrochloride: 350 mg
• L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate (AAKG): 50 mg
• Other: vegetable cellulose capsule, brown rice flour

Every amount is stated — no proprietary blend. Vegan and vegetarian, since the capsule is cellulose.

The honest part: these are modest amounts

Citrulline is the better-studied of the two for exercise purposes, and the research in that area generally uses considerably larger doses than 400 mg — typically measured in grams rather than hundreds of milligrams.

So we are not going to tell you this product replicates study results. 800 mg of combined amino acids is a modest daily addition. It is honestly labelled and you can see exactly what you are getting, which is more than many products in this category offer — but you should buy it knowing the scale.

If the citrulline is specifically what you want for training, you want a dedicated citrulline product at a gram-level dose, and we do not currently sell one. We would rather say that than let you buy this expecting something it is not.

You may already be taking these

ShockFuel pre-workout contains 1,500 mg of L-arginine alpha-ketoglutarate per scoop, plus L-citrulline malate inside its 550 mg matrix.

That is thirty times the AAKG in a serving of this product. If you already take ShockFuel before training, this adds very little on top. Focus Powder also contains L-arginine.

Before buying, check what you already own. Three of our products contain arginine in some form.

What nitric oxide actually is

Nitric oxide is a signalling molecule your body produces that is involved in blood vessel dilation. Arginine is a precursor to it; citrulline is converted to arginine in the body, and is generally considered the more efficiently absorbed route — which is why citrulline leads this formula.

That is the mechanism. It is not a claim that this product will give you a pump, improve your performance, or change your blood pressure. The label supports circulation, muscle function and exercise performance as structure/function language.* Nothing more.

Who should talk to a doctor first — this one genuinely matters

Arginine and citrulline affect blood vessels. That makes the interaction list more significant than for most supplements here:

• Anyone taking blood pressure medication. Additive effects are plausible.
• Anyone taking nitrates — nitroglycerin, isosorbide — or erectile dysfunction medication such as sildenafil or tadalafil. These work on the same pathway, and combining them is a real concern, not a theoretical one. Ask a doctor.
• Anyone with a heart condition, or who has had a heart attack
• Anyone with herpes simplex. Arginine is commonly discussed in that context and is worth mentioning to your clinician.
• Anyone pregnant, nursing, under 18, or with any known medical condition

How to take it

Two capsules daily with 6–8 oz of water, or as directed by a healthcare professional. Do not exceed the recommended dose. Keep out of reach of children; store cool and dry.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All amounts quoted are taken from the product label. This article is general information, not medical advice.