Nitric Oxide (NO) is a signaling molecule that dilates blood vessels, improving blood flow and oxygen delivery. Your paranasal sinuses produce NO continuously; nasal breathing carries it into the lungs, where it enhances gas exchange.
Key Functions
- •Vasodilation — widens blood vessels for better perfusion
- •Oxygen uptake — nasal breathing increases oxygen absorption by ~20%
- •Air conditioning — nasal passages filter, warm, and humidify air
- •Antimicrobial — NO has mild antimicrobial properties in the respiratory tract
In ONDA Life
The Breathwork CLI article recommends strict nasal breathing for low-to-moderate intensity as the "Nitric Oxide Boost" protocol.