Nitric oxide (NO) is a short-lived gas made by nearly every cell in the body. It effects are widespread and diverse. NO is an important signaling molecule in our brain and a molecule that dilates our blood vessels. It keeps our blood cells from sticking together, thereby helping the flow of blood throughout our body. NO helps oxygen get to the brain and oxygen-deprived muscles during exercise. Insufficient NO is often associated with chronic problems and age related diseases.

 As we grow older, our cells lose the ability to make adequate amounts of NO. Therefore, dietary inorganic prebiotic nitrates, found in many vegetables, become a critical source. Prebiotic nitrates are absorbed in the gut and circulate to the saliva glands where they are released into the mouth. Upon release, nitrate is converted to nitrite by the friendly nitrate-reducing bacteria living on the back of the tongue. The nitrite is subsequently swallowed and further reduced in the gut and circulation to nitric oxide to exert its health benefits.

Beets and leafy greens, including spinach, arugula, rhubarb, chard, kale, are rich in inorganic prebiotic nitrate. The consumption of leafy greens and other potassium nitrate–rich vegetables, are the primary source of inorganic prebiotic nitrate found in the Mediterranean, DASH and MIND diet, and the traditional Japanese diet. All of these diets have been shown to exhibit nitric oxide-mediated effects in various clinical studies demonstrating improvement of vascular wellness.

Similar to our gut, our mouths contain a mix of good and bad bacteria. Having a 'good microflora' on our tongue that converts dietary prebiotic nitrate to nitrite is critical in restoring vascular health. Eradication of oral nitrate-reducing bacteria through antiseptic mouthwash, such as chlorhexidine, or overuse of antibiotics can result in cardiometabolic challenges. Studies have also found that periodic tongue brushing may provoke the growth of these healthy nitrate-reducing bacteria. Others have found that increased dietary intake of inorganic nitrate shifted the oral microflora to a richer population of nitrate-reducing bacteria with improvements in cardiovascular wellness.

Two markers from a single saliva sample: prebiotic nitrate (the precursor from diet or supplementation) and bio-converted nitrite (a sign your oral microbiome is actively converting it). It does not measure nitric oxide itself or systemic NO levels — those are downstream of what the strip reads.

Most single-marker strips read nitrite only, telling you conversion is happening but not whether you're getting enough nitrate to begin with. MyFitStrip reads both, so you can tell "I have the raw material" apart from "my microbiome is converting it.

Check your baseline, add nitrate-rich foods or a MyFitStrip lozenge/gum, then re-check in 60–90 minutes to see your personal response. See "How to Use" for full steps.

Under 15 seconds, no lab or appointment needed.

No. The strip is a wellness tracking tool, not a diagnostic test. A reading reflects your nitrate intake and oral-microbiome activity at that moment — it isn't a health assessment, and results shouldn't be interpreted as normal/abnormal or used to assess a medical condition.

Healthy, plant-based, nitric oxide-rich diets will likely benefit your results. Eating, drinking, smoking, or using mouthwash in the 30 minutes before a check can all affect saliva chemistry and accuracy. For consistent tracking, check at the same time of day under similar conditions.

As often as fits your routine — many people use the check → add → re-check pattern to build healthy habits - and when needed supplement - to see your personalized trends over time, rather than relying on a single reading.