Are No2 Pills Safe?

There has been a lot of media attention paid to MRI (Medical Research Institute) and the innovative product No2; a supplemental formula that promises to enhance performance for athletes and bodybuilders. It focuses on the areas of lean weight gain, muscle development, improved stamina and endurance and a longer "pump" sensation. All of those promises sound good, but when you're dealing with something as valuable as your health and body, you should ask if the No2 product is safe, and if there are any negative side effects. Before considering possible side effects of No2, first consider how the product works and what it actually does to your system.

No2 Body and Supplement

No2 makes use of the naturally produced gas called nitric oxide; a signaling molecule that helps in communication, and also produces other healthy effects throughout your body. Some of No2's benefits include an improved regulation of vital organs such as the brain and stomach and the release of adrenaline and gonadotroptin which assist in muscle development and endurance. No2 also allows for increased blood flow which leads to a pump sensation. Nitric oxide is produced naturally when you person contracts your muscles and your blood vessels dilate.

However, these effects don't last long, and long periods of recovery time are required by the unequipped bodybuilder. No2 is an extended-release nitric oxide generator that helps to create more nitric oxide and, more importantly, sustain the effects for hours at a time. The longer those effects last (as Arginine is broken down by nitric oxide synthase enzymes thus producing the gas) the more muscle growth is accelerated. The process of hemodilation allows muscles to harden and to become engorged with blood. This leads to improved vascularity as well as flash recovery times, and often a "pump" surge that can last a full day or longer.

Natural or Steroid?

It is important to understand that this chemical compound is actually a natural substance. It is not appropriate to compare No2 to anabolic steroids; steroids are drugs that alter the system and thus often produce damaging side effects. The creator of No2, Ed Byrd, has stated that although No2 has similar effects as steroidal drugs it is a supplemental formula, not a drug. Steroid lead to damaging side effects, and have thus been made illegal for recreational use. The No2 products have been studied since the 1990s and there have been no major side effects uncovered by the medical or scientific community.

Possible Side Effects

There have been minor side effects reported with the product which are related to improper dosing and lack of following recommended water intake guidelines. These include nausea, diarrhea, weakness and fatigue. MRI also states that such side effects can occur whenever a user fails to drink are 64 ounces per day, as recommended on the supplement container. Some users have reported headaches, as well as migraines, as another possible side effect. However, all of these symptoms are considered minor; No2 has not been shown to have any major life-threatening side effects.

Scientific Discussion Continues

However, the conclusion on No2's safety is still an issue in some scientific and medical circles. Many claim that since No2 is a fairly new product (released in 2002) that more time is needed to see whether or not nitric oxide generation can lead to long-term health deficiencies. The Medical Research Institute counteracts this criticism stating that Arginine products have been used for years in health and the supplemental industry with no ill effects to speak of.

Two major sources have verified the safety of increased nitric oxide (if not MRI's No2 specifically) on the system, including the Royal Society and Association of British Science Writers ,and a study done at Baylor University as reported by Muscle & Fitness magazine. While some critics continue to pound MRI, arguing that science does not support its claims few, if any, authoritative sources have stated that taking the product is unsafe. However, more than a few compare No2 to creatine (a similar acid used in bodybuilding) saying there is no definite proof that it is actually "safe."

As with all supplements, following the dosage directions closely is key to maintaining health and receiving the proper benefits. In addition, do not neglect the recommended water consumption. You should also be careful about combining No2 with other products, and be very careful if you are taking a high potent formula. Some formulas like the 950% improved No2 Black actually advise users with a medical condition to seek a doctor's approval before starting a new program.