My friend, a retired respiratory nurse, alerted me to this info on nitric oxide, chemical symbol NO (that is different from laughing gas which is nitrous oxide, chemical symbol N2O).

Nitric oxide is produced during nasal breathing. Here is a list of benefits. Notice the items in bold that can be particularly significant given what we know to date about COVID-19:

Nitric Oxide Benefits

1. Regulates vascular tone and blood flow
2. Delivers oxygen to the mitochondria for energy production
3. Supports healthy blood viscosity
4. Supports healthy arterial lining, preventing cardiovascular disease
5. Generates antioxidants for repair, like SOD (superoxide dismutase)
6. Supports healthy blood sugar and better insulin sensitivity
7. Lowers BMI (Body Mass Index)
8. Regulates brain blood flow and neural plasticity
9. Supports cellular immunity
10. Regulates and lowers blood pressure
11. Regulates gastric motility
12. Supports healthy endothelium (blood vessel lining)

What you can do with this info? Hum to increase nitric oxide production!

You can do this using humming vocal warm-up techniques such as this lip buzz from Heather Lyle’s Vocal Yoga CD.

Or follow these videos: