Nitric oxide is a free form gas produced by the body in order to communicate with other cells. It is created when enzymes break down the amino acid arginine. The main benefit of nitric oxide is its role in controlling the circulation of blood and regulating activities of the brain, lungs, liver, stomach and other organs. It also helps in the control of blood pressure, dilates blood vessels to cause penile erection and is used by the immune system to fight viral, bacterial and parasitic infections.

It is the ability of nitric oxide to increase blood flow that is of most interest to bodybuilders who can benefit as follows:

1. The increased blood flow delivers more nutrients to the muscle cells thus helping them to grow during the adaptation and recovery phase.

2. Its ability to reduce inflammation helps muscles that have been subjected to extreme stresses.

Given its close relationship with arginine care should be taken in applying small doses and increasing them gradually until an optimum level is reached. Bear in mind that many protein powders and other supplements are fortified with amino acids so check the labels carefully. The manufacturer's instructions should be followed in all instances.

Richard Mitchell is the creator of the bodybuildingadvisor.com website that provides guidance and information to athletes at all levels of bodybuilding experience. Go to Bodybuilding Advice to learn more about the issues covered in this article.

Fifteen years ago, my friends and I wanted to get involved in fantasy sports. We had heard of Rotisserie baseball, the game where you select major leaguers and use their statistics for your own fantasy team. Most of us preferred football over baseball, so we did a little research and decided to create a fantasy football league. Now, we're entering our 16th season, with 20 of the most rabid football nuts anywhere, competing for pride and a small monetary prize each year.

We're not alone, of course. Over 15 million Americans play fantasy football, a game that uses the statistics of professional football players for personal, fantasy teams. During the last decade, this game has erupted, like a volcano. There are hundreds of web sites, dedicated to it. Magazines litter the newsstands in June and July, all dedicated to providing the best information possible about players from the National football League, as well as offering "expert" prognostication as to which players will benefit your fantasy team the most, based on their performances on the gridiron each sunday. There are even radio and TV shows, dedicated to discussion of fantasy football and the nfl players that dot each team's roster.

If you know someone who loves football, chances are he or she is part of a fantasy football league. My own participation has initiated a new experience. As a writer, I'm always looking for a new idea, something unique, and fantasy football has given it to me. A work of fiction. For years, while I was busy writing how-to books and articles, I dreamed, as most authors do, of writing the great american novel. When that didn't come, I just wanted something different; something I thought would interest a large audience.

It finally hit me -- a work of fiction, based on fantasy football. It's called The League. Suspense, conspiracy and fantasy football combine for the first-ever published work of fiction that has a back drop of America's favorite game. Here's to a dream come true and a hope that 15 million Americans love The League as much as I do. Learn more about it at www.sportsnovels.com.