I see these supplements contain sodium nitrite, which is “curing salt” used in Europe as meet additive and has long been debated whether it causes cancer. I am not sure how this works in supplement form, but I would be cautious. Maybe it is just adding it to meat that causes it to be carcinogenic, but still…
Adding nitrites to meat has been shown to generate known carcinogens such as nitrosamines; the World Health Organization (WHO) advises that each 50 g (1.8 oz) of “processed meats” eaten a day would raise the risk of getting bowel cancer by 18% over a lifetime. The World Health Organization’s review of more than 400 studies concluded, in 2015, that there was sufficient evidence that “processed meats” caused cancer, particularly colon cancer
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zazim
#48
It is impossible to tell how much sodium nitrate is there but even if it is all sodium nitrate it is a safe level. Of course I get a lot of sodium nitrate in my diet since I eat a lot of plants but hopefully OK. I was mainly worried about the vitamin C but it should be low enough not to throw off my CGM. I ordered the NO2U one.
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…per above WHO advice daily dose of 250 mcg of nitrites gives you 18% rise in bowel cancer risk.
Even France is reducing nitrites from their “charcuterie” meats with campaign to remove them in few years.
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zazim
#50
There is also a lot of vitamin C in these lozenges. Vitamin C reduces the conversion of sodium nitrate. Given the make up and the benefits of nitric oxide, I’m not the least bit concerned.
“Vegetables with high levels of sodium nitrate include spinach, radishes, lettuce, celery, carrots, cabbage, and beets.”
I have been taking a nicotine lozenge once a day. That seems counterproductive if I am trying to increase nitric oxide.
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brand
#51
Does Tadalafil have some antiaging effect or is it prescribed for ED only.
Are people taking it for any other benefit apart from improving ED
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There is some evidence of neuroprotection, and an association between being on this and having decreased rates of Parkinson’s/Alzheimer’s diseases. Also for vascular protection, there is some evidence for endothelial function, anti-inflammatory effects, and slight lowering of BP with vasodilation.
This makes PDE-5 inhibitors a reasonable possibility for being a longevity medication. We however need additional data.
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Nitric oxide seems to be very important for many functions. (NO theory of aging!) Tadalafil doesn’t make more NO but it makes NO stick around longer. Besides nitrates and good oral bacteria and stomach acid, what DOES cause more NO production? Exercise, probably.
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Cruciferous veges, beets - in the absence of using mouthwash and not having any stomach acid blockers provides exogenous nitrates.
You need the mouth bacteria and the stomach acid.
Some people think L-arginine, L-citrulline, Garlic, Exercise, Sunlight exposure (apparently due to sunlight causing release of nitric oxide from sorted nitrite and nitrates in the skin?).
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Beth
#56
You mention mouthwash… any opinions on probiotic mouthwash? I buy boka toothpaste (i like the taste) and got suckered into trying their mouthwash but haven’t used it much and not sure if it’s worth the effort (I don’t enjoy the taste… I’m a big baby)
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The NO experts say that eNOS function declines during aging which means eating more arginine and citrulline wouldn’t help older people unless we could turn up the eNOS function. I’m guessing exercise helps since exercise is “good for us”. Maybe keeping blood sugar and BP normal is also helpful. Again exercise. Any other tips?
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Love prebiotics. Probiotics unless you have some major disruption to your microbiome in your gut or mouth - I’d much more advocate for prebiotics, healthy diet, no acid blockers, and nothing that can kill off your oral microbiome.
I think the only one I’ve seen much evidence for is Akkermansia … for a wallet biopsy and some likely beneficial results.
Given rapa’s likely improvement in one’s periodontal condition — I think just brushing plus/minus flossing (there is debate in this space - but probably favor) should do the trick.
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Pretty much the age related waning of eNOS is the problem and exogenous will be the rule. I just eat a lot of cruciferous vegetables and beets as a WFPB person - so just not a worry. Don’t take any pills or powders for this. But no other tips at this time. I think if getting exogenous nitrates, having tadalafil is a nice combo.
I’d be really interested - and I suspect the answer isn’t known, as to whether being on Rapa in any way improves eNOS - or furthermore if folks doing things like Dasatinib / Fisetin cyclically get any improvement. The question is whether the age related loss is irreversible?
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AmyK
#60
Yes. Agree. Arginine isn’t useful in the “older” crowd. I do like some of the N.O. supplements like Neo40 Pro and NO2u. Nathan Bryan’s done some nice research and he formulated those. Also, … Red light therapy (photobiomodulation), PEMF, nasal breathing, exercise, sunlight, hyperbaric oxygen, nitrate rich veggies/fruits and skip the antiseptic mouthwash. Get rid of proton pump inhibitor meds if possible (ex Protonix), which are awful for nitric oxide. And, of course PDE5i’s. 
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Beth
#61
Here’s a prebiotic question for you!
I eat a WFPB diet, BUT I recently discovered Olipop soda. It’s the most processed thing I’m consuming. It’s so darned good I feel it must be bad for me, but aside from a 2 grams of sugar, I don’t see a downside. It’s a prebiotic drink.
Is this too good to be true? Or is this just excellent to drink if it gets one off of regular sodas?
Yes, my diet is this boring that this is my new guilty pleasure 
Here are the ingredients to their root beer:
Carbonated Water, OLISMART (Cassava Root Fiber, Chicory Root Inulin, Jerusalem Artichoke Inulin, Nopal Cactus*, Marshmallow Root*, Calendula Flower*, Kudzu Root*), Cassava Root Syrup, Apple Juice Concentrate, Natural Root Beer Flavor, Lemon Juice, Burdock Root*, Stevia Leaf*, Himalayan Pink Salt, Natural Vanilla Flavor, Sweet Birch
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My answer … going by the grocery store and getting some on the way home! Will check this out. Looks pretty good.
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Beth
#63
I LOVE your answer! And am beyond thrilled this really isn’t too good to be true!!! I thought there must be something I was not getting!!! Let me know what you think!
I don’t even like stevia but I don’t notice it in the ones I’ve tried, which have been: root beer, vintage cola, cream soda, and doctor goodwin… all great!
Hint, I ordered it online and subscribed to save money. Free shipping for a case of 12, and it winds up being 30 (2.50 per can) before taxes. My local store was charging 3.50. They gave me a discount code of $15 off I can share if you wind up wanting it.
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I make my own soda by starting with a very strong guarana tea, mixing it with an equal amount of brown sugar to create a syrup base. This syrup keeps in the fridge for weeks. When I’m ready for a drink, I add a few drops of lime or lemon juice (or just a slice of the fruit), a tablespoon of the syrup, and soda water. The result tastes almost like Coke.
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Beth
#65
How industrious of you!!!
I always flavor my water with something or I don’t drink enough.
I tried this for potential gut health when I was in the kombucha aisle. I know I should have ferments but I always feel guilty about all that sugar (but my impression is also kombucha sugar might not be a problem, but I just don’t know!). I also have to drink kombucha early so the caffeine doesn’t interfere with my sleep.
(I did the ZOE gut test and learned that even thought I eat TONS of fiber and plants, I have a lacking gut for some strange reason)
At Kroger … they are $2.00 each. Seem like a relatively benign drink as far as that goes - and getting 9 grams of fiber in a drink is pretty good! Had my vintage cola today, tomorrow will be the root beer.
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