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Nitrate-Nitrite-NO Pathway

Meaning

The Nitrate-Nitrite-NO Pathway is a crucial, complementary, and non-enzymatic biochemical route for the necessary generation of nitric oxide (NO) within the body, operating entirely independently of the classical L-arginine/NO synthase pathway. This vital metabolic cascade commences with the ingestion of dietary nitrate, which is found primarily in green leafy vegetables, followed by its sequential reduction first to nitrite and then finally to the biologically active nitric oxide molecule. This pathway serves as a significant, powerful modulator of systemic vascular tone and blood pressure, thereby supporting overall cardiovascular health and ensuring optimal tissue perfusion.