Nitric oxide
Asymmetrically methylated arginine forms (AMAF) inhibit nitric oxide synthase and the formation of nitric oxide (NO), also known as 'endothelium-derived relaxing factor', or 'EDRF'. Nitric oxide is critical to blood vessel function and inhibition leads to an increase in arterial stiffness due to vasoconstriction. Indeed, by protecting the vessel against vasoconstriction nitric oxide has been referred to as the fountain of youth. It also protects blood vessels by inhibiting platelet activation, smooth muscle proliferation and endothelial cell activation.