If boosting your endurance at the gym, improving cardiovascular health, and enhancing sexual performance are on your health agenda, you might be considering nitric oxide supplements. Nitric oxide is produced naturally by the human body and is one of the most important molecules for blood vessel health. However, some people may need supplements. But do they actually deliver on these promises?

What Is Nitric Oxide?

Nitric oxide is a gas that acts as a vasodilator, meaning it helps to widen blood vessels and improve blood flow. According to health experts, nitric oxide is synthesised from L-arginine, an essential amino acid. This process facilitates blood flow, enabling the body to deliver oxygen and nutrients more effectively to muscles during exercise.

Nitric oxide's vasodilating properties have made it popular among those seeking to boost fitness performance. During exercise, nitric oxide helps open up small blood vessels and capillaries that typically remain dormant. This increase in blood flow can potentially support muscle function and endurance.

But Should You Take Nitric Oxide Supplements?

Nitric oxide supplements often don't contain the gas itself but instead include precursors like L-arginine and L-citrulline. These compounds provide the body with the building blocks for nitric oxide production, Marco Anzures, M.S., an exercise science instructor at San Diego City College told a leading news organisation. Despite their popularity, research on their effectiveness is mixed.

Some studies indicate that L-arginine may improve exercise performance in untrained or moderately trained individuals but shows minimal benefit for those already highly trained. Additionally, L-citrulline has been linked to reduced muscle soreness and improved aerobic performance in smaller studies.

Potential Benefits And Risks

Nitric oxide supplements may also help with blood pressure management due to their vasodilating effects. For those with high blood pressure, these supplements could support cardiovascular health by enhancing blood flow. Moreover, increased blood flow may aid in addressing erectile dysfunction by improving circulation to the genital area.

However, Anzures warns that the evidence supporting nitric oxide supplements for heart health, exercise performance, and sexual function is inconclusive. “There is some evidence to suggest supplementation helps with endurance, but not overall performance,” he notes.

The supplements are generally considered safe when taken in moderation, but side effects such as gastrointestinal discomfort, dizziness, and headaches can occur. Excessive intake may lead to severe drops in blood pressure, which could be dangerous for people with pre-existing conditions like heart disease or liver cirrhosis.

Natural Sources Of Nitric Oxide

Experts recommend focusing on dietary sources of nitric oxide rather than supplements. Foods rich in L-arginine and L-citrulline include legumes, nuts, seeds, and red meat. Vegetables such as beets and leafy greens are also excellent sources, with studies showing that beetroot juice may enhance athletic performance and cardiovascular health.

According to Natalie Rizzo, M.S., R.D., a dietitian based in New York City, "A proper diet can provide the necessary nutrients to support nitric oxide production without the potential risks associated with supplements."

Bottom LineWhile nitric oxide supplements may hold some potential for enhancing exercise performance, reducing blood pressure, and supporting sexual health, the evidence is mixed, and the risks should not be overlooked. Consulting a healthcare provider before starting any supplement is advisable, especially for those with underlying health conditions.

Brain health has been highlighted in many recent conversations. Many studies have highlighted things like what food affects our brains negatively. Whether it is how our activities or lack thereof could change our brain function as well as how different psychological factors like stress and anxiety can hurt our brain. However, have you wondered what things positively affect your brain health and age? A new study found that the natural curiosity that we have could be the answer to healthy brain aging.

As kids, all of us had our curiosity, the urge to find new things and learn interesting facts. People become less curious as they age, or that’s what most of us believe. However, the researchers pointed out that we don’t lose our curiosity, rather we focus on one aspect of interest and expand on that.

Staying Curious Helps Your Brain Stay Healthy

The study published in the journal PLOS One 2025, found that some types of curiosity become even stronger as we age. Older people who keep wanting to learn new things might have a better chance of avoiding or delaying problems like Alzheimer's disease.

The study looked at curiosity in two different ways. One type is called "trait curiosity." This is like a basic part of someone's personality that makes them want to find out new things in general. The study found that this type of curiosity tends to become less strong as people get older. The other type is "state curiosity." This is when you feel curious about something specific at a certain moment, like wanting to know the answer to a question someone asks you. This type of curiosity behaves differently as we age.

You Become More Curious As You Age

What the researchers found interesting was that "state curiosity" often starts to increase quite a bit after people reach middle age. This feeling of wanting to know about specific things keeps getting stronger as people move into old age. In the UCLA news release the lead scientist of the study, Alan Castel from UCLA, said that this fits with his idea that older people don't stop wanting to learn, they just become more careful about what they choose to learn about.

He gave examples of older people who go back to school, start new hobbies, or enjoy activities like watching birds. He believes that if older adults can keep this specific kind of curiosity alive, it can really help them stay mentally sharp as they age. This suggests that focusing on learning about things that interest you might be a key to keeping your brain active and healthy in your later years.

Why Does ‘Specific Curiosity’ Rise Later In Life?

To understand this better, the researchers asked over 1,400 people in the age group of 20 and 84, to take a test online that measured their curiosity. Part of the test involved guessing the answers to difficult trivia questions. After guessing, the participants were asked if they wanted to know the correct answer.

The results showed that people who had more general curiosity also tended to have more specific curiosity, and the other way around. However, they also found that while general curiosity tended to decrease as people aged, specific curiosity decreased in early adulthood but then started to increase significantly after middle age and continued to rise in older age.

The researchers think this happens because younger adults are often very focused on learning what they need for their jobs, school, and raising families. This can make them curious early on, but it can also be stressful.

As people get older, and perhaps after their children have grown up and they have retired, they have more time and energy to focus on things they personally enjoy learning about. This could be why their curiosity about specific topics becomes stronger in later life. This suggests that actively keeping your curiosity alive as you age could be an important way to help keep your brain healthy and maintain a good quality of life.

The US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr, has been very vocal about his stance on vaccines, causing a stir among citizens who stands unsure of how this will affect the healthcare system. While he has time and again appealed to people with various health claim, including seeking refuge to faith and prayers for drug addiction, recently he said, “I don’t want to seem like I am being evasive, but I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me.”

During a House committee hearing, RFK Jr. sidestepped direct answers regarding his personal views on childhood vaccinations, despite his history of controversial statements on the topic. Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) pressed Kennedy on whether he would vaccinate a child against measles.

Initially, Kennedy responded, "Probably for measles," but quickly retreated, stating, "What I would say is my opinions about vaccines are irrelevant." He further emphasized, "I don’t want to seem like I am being evasive, but I don’t think people should be taking medical advice from me," a sentiment he repeated when Pocan continued to press for clarity.

Kennedy's long-standing skepticism towards vaccines, including promoting debunked claims linking them to autism, has drawn significant criticism. His recent assertion that measles vaccines are "leaky" due to waning effectiveness was also disputed by medical experts.

How Have Statements Influenced People?

Though his statement clearly echoes the feelings that what he says regarding health should not be considered seriously, or as a medical advice, it is undeniable that his statements have in fact, influenced many people, making health choices.

As per a new survey by KKF, a nonprofit health information group, only one-third of Republican-leaning parents were aware of the current measles outbreak. This was in comparison with the two-thirds of aware Democratic parents. The survey also found and 1 in 5 Republicans believes that measles vaccine is more dangerous than the diseases itself, this is double the rate of Democrats.

About 35% of Republicans surveyed believe the discredited theory that the MMR vaccine is linked to autism—a belief held by just 10% of Democrats. While belief in this theory has not increased significantly, public awareness of the claim has grown, reflecting the impact of persistent misinformation.

Adding to the confusion is RFK Jr., who has long been associated with anti-vaccine rhetoric. Since taking office, he has supported an investigation into environmental contributors to autism and has floated unproven theories, such as vitamin A being a preventative measure against measles. These statements, while not outright opposing vaccines, muddy public understanding and can discourage immunization.

At a time when clear public health messaging is critical, conflicting remarks from top officials are exacerbating distrust. Advocacy organizations like Immunize.org and The Immunization Partnership warn that such mixed messaging, especially when it originates from high-ranking leaders, undermines public confidence in vaccines.

In southern states like Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Oklahoma, anti-vaccine activism has gained traction within state legislatures. Studies show that even lawmakers with medical backgrounds have not always supported public health measures, often influenced by political considerations and public pressure. Testimony from vaccine opponents at legislative hearings further amplifies misinformation, making it more difficult for facts to gain traction.

The Measles Outbreak And Vaccines

Previously also, the Health Secretary’s actions came under scrutiny again due to the measles outbreak. RFK Jr. has openly endorsed a measles-infected Texas physician who saw children. He had also doubled down on his views of natural immunity, explaining how ‘everyone got measles’ and acquired lifelong immunity.

His previous work with anti-vaccine activists who work with his non-profit group Children’s Health Defense. However, in the speeches following his nomination as the health secretary, he claimed he was never ‘anti-vax’ and has never told the public to avoid vaccinations. This goes against many of his previous statements where he criticized vaccines. In a podcast interview he said “There is no vaccine that is safe and effective” as well as told Fox News his persistent belief in the idea that vaccines cause autism. In Another podcast interview he urged people to resist CDC guidelines, which asked parents to vaccinate their children in view of public health.

Bird Flu and Herd Immunity

During the Bird Flu outbreak, RFK Jr’s suggestions caused an uproar, as suggested to allow bird flu to spread naturally through poultry farms, rather than culling infected birds. This suggestion has drawn sharp criticism from scientists, who warn of potential animal cruelty and heightened public health risks.

Kennedy's plan, outlined in a Fox News interview, involves identifying and preserving naturally immune birds after the virus has run its course. "We can identify the birds and preserve the birds that are immune to it," he stated. While Kennedy lacks direct control over agricultural practices, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins had expressed interest in piloting the idea, suggesting to CBS, "There are some farmers that are out there that are willing to really try this on a pilot as we build the safe perimeter around them to see if there is a way forward with immunity."

However, veterinary experts strongly oppose the proposal, citing significant risks. Dr. Gail Hansen, former state veterinarian for Kansas, told The New York Times, "that's a really terrible idea for any one of a number of reasons.

A new study published in the Journal of Occupational and Environment Medicine has found evidence that working excessively long hours could in fact alter the physical structure of the brain. The research was conducted by scientists from Chung-Ang University and Yonsei University in South Korea. The research offers a rare glimpse into how chronic overwork may affect not just one's mental wellbeing, but also alter the brain anatomy,

What Does The Study Say?

In South Korea, the legal maximum weekly working hours is 52. However, overwork there has become a pressing public health issue. The study thus tracked 110 healthcare workers, and divided them into two groups: "overworked" - individuals who worked for 52 hours or more and "non-overworked" - individuals who worked for standard hours.

The study also used a neuroimaging technique and MRI scans, where researchers were able to examine differences in gray matter between the two groups.

"People who worked 52 or more hours a week displayed significant changes in brain regions associated with executive function and emotional regulation, unlike participants who worked standard hours," the researchers said in a press release.

What Are The Changes Noted In Brain?

The analysis also revealed that overworked individuals had notable increases in the volume of them idle frontal gyrus. This part plays a role in attention, memory and cognitive control.

There were also changes observed in the insula, which is responsible for emotional processing, self-awareness and understanding social context.

These changes point a biological basis for the cognitive fog, mood shifts, and emotional fatigue that is commonly reported in people who work for excessively long hours. Coauthor Joon Yul Choi from Yonsei University told CNN that these brain changes "might be at least in part, reversible" if environmental stressors like overwork are reduced—though he cautioned that a full return to baseline brain function could take time.

Why Does It Matter?

This research builds upon previous findings. A 2021 joint study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) estimated that long working hours led to over 745,000 deaths annually, making overwork a leading occupational risk factor.

Frank Pega, who led the WHO-ILO study, told CNN that this new research provides “important new evidence” of how long working hours “radically” impact physical health. He stressed that governments, employers, and workers need to act collectively, citing laws and policies that can protect against health risks associated with overwork.

While the study’s small sample size and exclusive focus on Korean healthcare workers limit its generalizability, experts believe it opens the door to deeper exploration. Jonny Gifford, principal research fellow at the Institute for Employment Studies in the UK, told CNN that the findings "confirm some physiological reasons that working long hours affects our wellbeing."

He emphasized that although the study is preliminary, its use of neurological imaging lends "powerful new evidence linking overwork with structural changes in parts of the brain involved in executive function and emotional regulation."

In the words of the study’s authors, “The results underscore the importance of addressing overwork as an occupational health concern.”