Lowering AHI numbers with beetroot capsules

I know this sounds crazy. But I have had great AHI numbers for the past 3 weeks because I started taking beet root capsules before bed. I am averaging 0.9 the past ten days. That’s crazy low (kinda) for me I was averaging over 3 + nightly. This is no scientific experiment by any means. Maybe someone else could see if they c@n get better numbers if they use beet root capsules? I might be on to something here. And this sounds crazy I know but it’s whats happening!
It wouldn’t be a stretch for me to get an occasional 5 Score AHI once a week but not of late anyways? Beetroot is great for blood pressure and maybe this is the reason. Or just maybe I could’ve had a lucky low numbers run?
I’m on a bi Pap machine and I have high pressure settings 15/17. Anyways look into this and let me/us know if you get better sleep numbers as well.

What are the meds supposed to do?

Could they be acting like ultra-fiber pills but you just haven't realized yet that you've lost weight?

Hi DMZABO,

Beetroot is high in nitrates.

And, from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4008816/

"Inorganic nitrate is present in numerous foodstuffs and is abundant in green leafy vegetables and beetroot. Following ingestion, nitrate is converted in the body to nitrite and stored and circulated in the blood.

"In conditions of low oxygen availability, nitrite can be converted into nitric oxide, which is known to play a number of important roles in vascular and metabolic control. Dietary nitrate supplementation increases plasma nitrite concentration and reduces resting blood pressure.

"Intriguingly, nitrate supplementation also reduces the oxygen cost of submaximal exercise and can, in some circumstances, enhance exercise tolerance and performance."

Bear in mind the author of the above paper is researching in sports medicine and not in sleep disorders.

I know this sounds crazy. But I have had great AHI numbers for the past 3 weeks because I started taking beet root capsules before bed.

I've had a similar experience using L-Arginine (often combined with L-Cysteine). L-Arginine is converted to nitric oxide when taken on an empty stomach. It is a general vasodilator, natriuretic and diuretic. Most noticeable is the drop in systolic BP due to the vasodilation. Cardiologists refer to this effect as the "L-Arginine Paradox" because we typically get plenty of this amino acid in our diet yet it drives the enzymatic reaction under the condition above.

L-Cysteine is sometimes combined into the supplement as it's converted to L-Arginine by the kidneys and, somehow, this reaction is a bit faster so it gives benefits earlier. Athletes sometimes use this to enhance their workouts as it has similar effects to the beet root powder.

I use an immediate & sustained release formula and have been experimenting with taking it just prior to bedtime vs spacing out small doses in between meals once or twice a day, then another small dose prior to bed.

By taking this supplement I was able to drop my average AHI. It also relieves the shortness of breath I was getting after my first 10 days of APAP. Pulse oximeter said my 02 levels were good, but I had the persistent feeling of SOB 24/7. Chest x-ray was clear; rescue inhaler did not relieve it. I spent about 2 weeks with this feeling and 500 mg of L-Arginine relieved it within 45 minutes. I attribute this to the diuretic & vasodilation effects. It helped with the congestion I was getting in my nasal passages, too, from APAP.

In checking for long-term use, I found some reassurance that it's generally regarded as safe for 3 months (maybe longer), but beet root powder is likely to be considered safe for even longer use since it's a whole food.

DMZABO wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:46 pm

I know this sounds crazy. But I have had great AHI numbers for the past 3 weeks because I started taking beet root capsules before bed. I am averaging 0.9 the past ten days. That’s crazy low (kinda) for me I was averaging over 3 + nightly. This is no scientific experiment by any means. Maybe someone else could see if they c@n get better numbers if they use beet root capsules? I might be on to something here. And this sounds crazy I know but it’s whats happening!
It wouldn’t be a stretch for me to get an occasional 5 Score AHI once a week but not of late anyways? Beetroot is great for blood pressure and maybe this is the reason. Or just maybe I could’ve had a lucky low numbers run?
I’m on a bi Pap machine and I have high pressure settings 15/17. Anyways look into this and let me/us know if you get better sleep numbers as well.

DMZABO wrote: ↑

Tue Nov 09, 2021 7:46 pm

I know this sounds crazy. But I have had great AHI numbers for the past 3 weeks because I started taking beet root capsules before bed. I am averaging 0.9 the past ten days. That’s crazy low (kinda) for me I was averaging over 3 + nightly. This is no scientific experiment by any means. Maybe someone else could see if they c@n get better numbers if they use beet root capsules? I might be on to something here. And this sounds crazy I know but it’s whats happening!
It wouldn’t be a stretch for me to get an occasional 5 Score AHI once a week but not of late anyways? Beetroot is great for blood pressure and maybe this is the reason. Or just maybe I could’ve had a lucky low numbers run?
I’m on a bi Pap machine and I have high pressure settings 15/17. Anyways look into this and let me/us know if you get better sleep numbers as well.

Still having great numbers averaging 1.2 for the past 30 days. I didn’t lose any weight either. So it not happening because of a weight loss issue. I’m telling you people this is working for me. And besides if you can lower those AHI numbers it’s got to help in the long run. Try it for yourselves? Beet root Supplements are dirt cheap. ( no pun )

Just for kicks I started taking beet root Nov. 12. After a week or so, my AHI was down to about half what it was, and very steady. It was already low on CPAP, maybe 1 per hour, now maybe 1 every two hours. No weight loss... probably some holiday gain, in fact. I'm taking 1500mg twice daily. Thanks for the suggestion. It's too soon to be sure it's not a fluke, but it's promising

i'm happy that beetroot has been helpful for some folks.

it did nothing for me.

I used to have AHI’s of 1.5 to 2.5. I have been taking beet root for about 6 months, twice a day. I also switched from Dreamstation to Resmed Autosense 10 about the same time. My AHI for the past six months is .21 and decreasing. For seven of the past nine days it has been zero, the other two it was .13. I assumed the improvement was due to the Resmed machine and would never have even thought about the beetroot had I not read this post. I have absolutely no way of knowing which it it, but the fact of the matter is I have been using it for about the same time as the Resmed machine. I started taking beetroot because it supposed to be good for lowering your blood pressure, not to affect my sleep or AHI. My sleep has improved, but I wouldn’t call it great. In addition to a very low AHI, I have almost no RERA’s or anything else. So like the OP, there has been a major improvement in my numbers and a moderate improvement in my sleep, but I can’t say what’s brought it about, just glad it’s happening.
Thumper

Thumper1947 wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 28, 2021 8:57 am

I used to have AHI’s of 1.5 to 2.5. I have been taking beet root for about 6 months, twice a day. I also switched from Dreamstation to Resmed Autosense 10 about the same time. My AHI for the past six months is .21 and decreasing. For seven of the past nine days it has been zero, the other two it was .13. I assumed the improvement was due to the Resmed machine and would never have even thought about the beetroot had I not read this post. I have absolutely no way of knowing which it it, but the fact of the matter is I have been using it for about the same time as the Resmed machine.

You absolutely do have a way to find out if beetroot is responsible, or partly responsible. As does the OP.

Stop taking beetroot for a couple weeks/month, if your AHI increases, this suggests that beetroot was a contributing factor.

I'm guessing, it wasn't.

I have seen jars of beet kvas in the Ukrainian grocery.
It is a fermented probiotic beverage similar to kraut juice or a shrub.
Too salty for a low sodium diet.

Who's for borscht?

I need to point out that nitrates are substances added to cured meat that are said to be carcinogenic.
I'm curious if anyone here has found a similar AHI lowering effect with salami or bacon?

stevenal wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 28, 2021 12:14 pm

I need to point out that nitrates are substances added to cured meat that are said to be carcinogenic.
I'm curious if anyone here has found a similar AHI lowering effect with salami or bacon?

mmmm....bacon.

rcobourn wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 27, 2021 2:48 pm

Just for kicks I started taking beet root Nov. 12. After a week or so, my AHI was down to about half what it was, and very steady. It was already low on CPAP, maybe 1 per hour, now maybe 1 every two hours. No weight loss... probably some holiday gain, in fact. I'm taking 1500mg twice daily. Thanks for the suggestion. It's too soon to be sure it's not a fluke, but it's promising

Yes I agree it’s crazy? Glad to help (so far) you . Nuts I must say. I went back at my AHI NUMBERS before Beet Root and it’s remarkable really. Good luck.

stevenal wrote: ↑

Tue Dec 28, 2021 12:14 pm

I need to point out that nitrates are substances added to cured meat that are said to be carcinogenic.
I'm curious if anyone here has found a similar AHI lowering effect with salami or bacon?

And here I thought it was just a vegetable? lol supplements carcinogenic?

Inorganic Nitrate and OSA
Acute Beetroot Juice Supplementation and Peripheral Chemoreflex Sensitivity in Patients With Obstructive Sleep Apnea

Sponsors
Lead Sponsor: University of Iowa

Source University of Iowa
Brief Summary

This is what I have found . Hopes this helps your doubts about this issue.
The main purpose of this study is to determine if acute beetroot juice supplementation reduces peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. All subjects will consume low-dose (BRL), higher-dose (BRH), and placebo (BRP) beetroot juice randomly on three independent study visits. Beetroot juice also improves blood flow thus, the investigators will also measure blood flow to the carotid chemoreceptors.

Detailed Description
Four-weeks of daily beetroot juice supplementation reduces peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity in healthy older adults who have 'normal' responses to acute hypoxia. Patients with obstructive sleep apnea have exaggerated peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity. It remains unknown if beetroot juice supplementation reduces peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity in patients with obstructive sleep apnea. Additionally, increasing blood flow to the peripheral chemoreceptors reduces sensitivity. Given that beetroot juice improves blood flow, the investigators will also measure common carotid artery blood flow at rest and during hypoxia.

Overall Status Completed
Start Date 2019-06-12
Completion Date 2020-03-06
Primary Completion Date 2020-03-06
Phase N/A
Study Type Interventional
Primary Outcome
Measure Time Frame
Changes in peripheral chemoreflex sensitivity Before and after consuming all supplements (within three hours)
Secondary Outcome
Measure Time Frame
Changes in common carotid artery blood flow Before and after consuming all supplements (within three hours)
Enrollment 21

Condition
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Intervention
Intervention Type: Dietary Supplement

Intervention Name: Pre-beetroot juice supplementation

Description: Before administering beetroot juice to subjects.

Intervention Type: Dietary Supplement

Intervention Name: Post-beetroot juice supplementation

Description: After administering beetroot juice to subjects.

Eligibility
Criteria:

Inclusion Criteria: - OSA group: patients recently diagnosed with mild-to-moderate OSA - Control group: healthy individuals Exclusion Criteria: - Diagnosis of heart disease - Diagnosis of diabetes - Diagnosis of any autonomic disorders - Diagnosis of kidney disease - Diagnosis of central sleep apnea - Regular physical activity exceeding 30 minutes 3 days/week - A body mass index ≥40 kg/m2 - Current or former use of a continuous positive airway pressure machine - Current tobacco use - Currently prescribed hormone replacement therapy

Gender:

All

Minimum Age:

30 Years

Maximum Age:

70 Years

Healthy Volunteers:

Accepts Healthy Volunteers