The Times
Tony Allen-Mills and Nicholas Hellen
Gerry Gajadharsingh writes:
“I posted a blog a few weeks ago regarding the benefits of nasal breathing as opposed to the mouth breathing that many patients seem to do.
https://www.thehealthequation.co.uk/why-breathing-through-your-nose-is-really-important/
The important bit, which relates to this latest research, is in relation to Nitric Oxide.
The nasal cavities and paranasal sinuses are probably the largest source of endogenous NO (Nitric Oxide), not to be confused with N2O (Nitrous Oxide laughing gas) or NO2 (nitrogen dioxide a pollutant). NO is a potent vasodilator (a good thing), there is also research to suggest it acts as part of our immune system attacking bacteria and viruses and trying to keep us safe. There is also research suggesting that NO regulates lung function, including reducing pulmonary resistance and increases arterial oxygenation, making breathing more efficient.
The benefits of enhanced NO productivity include increased aerobic capacity, reduced hypertension, increased insulin sensitivity and glucose tolerance, capillarization and angiogenesis, and even long-term potentiation (LTP) associated with cellular models for learning and memory. An additional benefit of enhanced NO productivity is neurogenesis, which is the process by which new neurons form in the brain. Nitric oxide, through nasal breathing, helps to regulates autonomic functions like heart rate, respiration, blood pressure, and digestion along with mood, sleep cycle, fluid balance, and reproduction. The increase of blood flow derived from NO synthesis may improve the recovery processes after exercise.
So, utalising Nitric Oxide is one of the very many benefits of nasal breathing. The article below refers to research into a commercial nasal spray boosting levels of nitric oxide and its effect on minimising the effect of coronavirus on our bodies. To me this makes sense but I suspect it will be significantly enhanced if people predominantly use nasal breathing as opposed to mouth breathing.”
A Canadian nasal spray that has been shown to stop the coronavirus from spreading through the body will begin its first UK clinical trial tomorrow.
The SaNOtize nitric oxide spray is designed to prevent the virus from passing through the nose to the respiratory system. The trial will be run by Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Surrey.
Several studies have found that nitric oxide, naturally produced by the human body, is effective in combating viral infection. “The SaNOtize treatment should be thought of as an effective treatment for the upper airways, similar to when people use hand sanitisers to clean their hands,” said Rob Wilson, a former Conservative MP overseeing the UK trial for Vancouver-based SaNOtize.
As Britain’s vaccination programme intensifies, he added, “this simple treatment will assist us in resuming something approaching normal social life … even if we inhale the virus, we can both protect against it and destroy it by applying the solution on a regular basis”.
The spray is undergoing phase two trials in Canada after independent testing found it was almost 100% effective in blocking the virus from entry through the nose, the prime route of infection.
Several other antiviral sprays have been tested against Covid-19, some with promising results. They are potentially effective at reducing transmission but rely on regular use and do not confer lasting protection.
SaNOtize claims its product is unique in blocking the process by which the virus binds itself to receptors in the nasal passage. The nitric oxide “provides a barrier”, said Chris Miller, the company’s chief science officer. It “prevents and treats early infection by destroying the virus and impeding viral replication within the cells in the nose”.
The UK trial is being conducted by Pankaj Sharma, director of the Institute of Cardiovascular Research at Royal Holloway, University of London. “The fact that a relatively easy and simple nasal spray could be an effective treatment is welcome news and offers a significant advance in our therapeutic armoury against this devastating disease,” Sharma said.