Want better health? Eat better food. Nutrition First.
Why I’m Humming on My Morning Walk
This was originally sent in my Sunday morning Strong Wise Good newsletter. If you’d rather receive these thoughts in your inbox each week, subscribe here.
😌🎶 How Can I Keep from Singing? Humming?
I love Dean and Jodie. Have I mentioned that? If you have not heard their story yet, well, you need to. I've linked to interviews on a post or two.
If you know them, you know they have done so much more than change their diet. No microwave. No plastics. Sauna and a hyperbaric chamber! I am not so ambitious.
Though, some to think of it, I have replaced all my Gladware with glassware.
A few weeks ago, Dean told me I should start humming. As a lifetime member of school, church, and community choirs, I figured I had this covered.
Maybe not.
Next time I talked to Jodie, she is again talking about the humming. It then occurred to me that singing and humming are not the same. I watched the link Dean shared.
Wow. Dug. In.
And I hope you will, too.
😌🎶 It's All About N.O.
Nitric Oxide. NO.
This is nitric oxide, not nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide is the laughing gas you might get at the dentist.
Nitric oxide is something far more interesting: a tiny signaling molecule your body makes naturally.
In fact, the importance of nitric oxide in cardiovascular health was recognized with the 1998 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to the scientists who helped show that this simple little molecule helps blood vessels relax and communicate.
Your body produces nitric oxide all the time.
The catch?
As we age, less nitric oxide is available to do its job. Aging, oxidative stress, and the chronic inflammation so many of us live with may interfere with how efficiently our bodies produce and use it.
And that’s a shame, truly.
Because nitric oxide turns out to be involved in some surprisingly important jobs.
😌🎶 Tiny Molecule. Big Job.
Nitric oxide helps the body defend against invaders, including some bacteria, parasites, viruses, and fungi.
It also plays an important role in inflammation, which certainly caught my attention.
And it helps blood vessels relax, improving circulation throughout the body.
Because all of our organs benefit from less inflammation and healthy circulation, researchers have taken serious interest in nitric oxide’s role in cardiovascular health, brain function, and healthy aging.
It all sounds pretty terrific.
Which makes this next part a little disappointing.
Once we reach adulthood, nitric oxide availability tends to decline steadily with age.
I don’t know about you, but I’d like to get me some more!
😌🎶 I'd Like Some More
Researchers have explored several ways to support nitric oxide availability.
Move your body
Exercise appears to stimulate nitric oxide production, one more reason to keep walking.
Soak Up Sunlight
Sunlight can release nitric oxide stored in the skin, which is one reason researchers think sunlight may affect health in ways that go beyond vitamin D.
Lay off the Listerine?
Believe it or not, the bacteria in your mouth help convert dietary nitrates into nitric oxide. Constantly nuking them with antiseptic mouthwash may interfere with that pathway.
Eat nitrate-rich foods
Leafy greens and beets are commonly mentioned here.
After last week's letter, you know where I stand on spinach, so... as always, you make your own decisions. 🤭
And then there’s humming. 😌🎶
One small study found humming dramatically increased nasal nitric oxide.
How drastically?
How does a 15-fold increase in nasal nitric oxide grab you?
I know! Got my attention!
Now, there is one important caveat: that’s nasal nitric oxide, not systemic whole-body NO.
Still, my nose bone's connected to my face bone, etc., etc., so...
why not hum the day away?
“Humming greatly increases nasal nitric oxide.”
— Weitzberg et al., American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, 2002
😌🎶 Why do I hum?
Because I don't remember the words. 🥁
And because I am cooking up a new batch of NO in my NOse.
Food is still my foundation.
But I’m always open to new habits for a healthier body and brain.
Morning walks. Sensible daylight.
A little humming.
Actually, a lot of humming. I may be humming as I write you now.
If you’d like to explore the research behind today’s hum-dinger (could not resist), I put together a short resource page here.
☀️ Hum Along!
Thank you for indulging me as I explored this weird and wonderful health tip.
Well, new to me. Did you know this already?
What other weird little, happy little habits, are yet to be discovered?
One no-longer-so-weird healthy habit?
Eating Nutrition First.
I'm Glad You're Here
If you’d like weekly thinking like this sent straight to your inbox each Sunday, you can subscribe to the Strong Wise Good newsletter here.
Until next time, stay strong, wise, kind, and good.
Choose real food for real health.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, scientist, or nutritionist. I do not provide medical advice. I share personal experience and ongoing learning about health through real food.
Good morning!
I am a late boomer spreading the gospel of good health through good food.
My bona fides?
Beating back Alzheimer's by eating clean low-carb.
And dropping a little weight effortlessly as a bonus.
Real food for real health.
Join me?
NOTE:
All communications, including order confirmations and support, will come from our sister brand, Prosperity Porch, part of Jomac Girls LLC. Trust emails from thegals@prosperityporch.com.
