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3rd Dec 2014

Xtreme Everest researchers find new benefits of nitrate

Xtreme Everest researchers who worked on three British Heart Foundation part-funded studies have shown that the simple chemical nitrate, which is found in leafy green vegetables, can actually help thin blood which ensures oxygen can be delivered to all of the body efficiently. It does this by reducing the body's production of EPO, the hormone that stimulates red cell production. By helping to reduce the thickness of blood, this may also decrease instances of dangerous clots forming. Overall, this can help reduce the risks of stroke and heart attacks.

As well as helping to thin the blood, it was found that nitrate can assist a diseased heart to function more efficiently, contribute to the production of nitric oxide that widens and opens blood vessels and also help to change bad white fat cells into good brown, fat burning cells. All of this could combat obesity and reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.

Dr Andrew Murray, Professor Martin Feelisch, Dr Bernadette Fernandez, and Dr Aleksandra Kotwoca are part of the Xtreme Everest medical research group. Xtreme Everest is a unique multi-­âinstitutional collaborative research programme with the aim of improving the care of patients coping with hypoxia (low oxygen levels); in particular, critically ill patients.

Professor Feelisch, from the University of Southampton, who led one study said:âThese findings suggest simple dietary changes may offer treatments for people suffering from heart and blood vessel diseases that cause too many red blood cells to be produced. It is also exciting as it may have broader implications in sport science, and could aid recovery ofi patients in intensive care by helping us understand how oxygen can be delivered to our cells more efficiently.â

Dr Andrew Murray from the University of Cambridge who had a part in all three studies said âThere have been a great many findings demonstrating a role for nitrate in reducing blood pressure and regulating the bodyâs metabolism. These studies represent three further ways in which simple changes in the diet can modify peopleâs risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity as well as potentially alleviating symptoms of existing cardiovascular conditions to achieve an overall healthier life.â

The research papers are:
Tom Ashmore, Bernadette O. Fernandez, Colin E. Evans, Yun Huang, Cristina Branco-Price, Julian L. Griffin, Randall S. Johnson, Martin Feelisch, and Andrew J. Murray (2014)
Suppression of erythropoiesis by dietary nitrate
FASEB j fj.14-263004; published ahead of print November 24.

Tom Ashmore, Bernadette O. Fernandez, Cristina BrancoâPrice, James A. West, Andrew S. Cowburn, Lisa C. Heather, Julian L. Griffin, Randall S. Johnson, Martin Feelisch, and Andrew J. Murray (2014)
Dietary nitrate increases arginine availability and protects mitochondrial complex I and energetics in the hypoxic rat heart
J Physiol 592:4715-31

Lee D Roberts, Tom Ashmore, Aleksandra O Kotwica, Steven A Murfitt, Bernadette O Fernandez, Martin Feelisch, Andrew J Murray, and Julian L Griffin (2014)
Inorganic Nitrate Promotes the Browning of White Adipose Tissue through the Nitrate-Nitrite-Nitric Oxide Pathway
Diabetes published ahead of print, doi:10.2337/db14-0496

For more information about these studies please:

  • visit the BHF website
  • call the BHF press office on 02075540164 or 07764290381 (out of hours)
  • email newsdesk@bhf.org.uk


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