CHICAGO — Lifes2good is expanding retail distribution of its Berkeley Life Heart Health supplement, which supports the natural production of nitric oxide to foster cardiovascular health.

Distributed by L2G North America Inc., the Berkeley Life Heart Health supplement is now available at Vitamin Shoppe and GNC locations nationwide. The product also is slated to be on shelves at Walgreens and Rite Aid drug stores in June, Lifes2good said.

Produced naturally by the body, nitric oxide promotes the dilation of the arteries, keeping them elastic so that blood can move efficiently throughout the body. But as people age, natural nitric oxide production declines, creating a greater risk for hypertension and life-changing diseases, according to Lifes2good.

The company said scientific studies demonstrate that Berkeley Life Heart Health’s key ingredients stimulate nitric oxide production. The product’s signature NOx:BP Complex combines the same bioactives as those in nitrate-rich plants, including leafy green vegetables. The formula includes beet root extract to aid nitrate level and pomegranate extract, a powerful antioxidant.

Lifes2good describes Berkeley Life Heart Health as the first widely available supplement to deliver the benefit of nitric oxide production for cardiovascular health.

“Most people aren’t aware how important nitric oxide is to our cardiovascular health, and we don’t regularly keep the proper diet or level of physical activity necessary to maintain a good level of nitric oxide, particularly as we age,” stated James Murphy, founder of Lifes2good. “Berkeley Life aims to educate people about the benefits of nitric oxide and to give them a convenient solution to boost the body’s production of this critical molecule.”

In addition, Berkeley Life Heart Health is the only supplement to come with test strips that allow users to gauge their nitric oxide level before and after using the product. Each Berkeley Life supplement product comes with two Berkeley Test strips, which are also sold separately in 10- and 50-packs.

To use the test strip, consumers add saliva by touching the strip to the tongue and, in 10 seconds, a color swatch will indicate current nitric oxide levels. Users can interpret the reading by matching the swatch to the guide on the box or by using the Berkeley Life mobile app, slated to launch this month.

“Berkeley Test allows users to see that the Berkeley Life supplement is working to stimulate NO production,” Murphy explained. “Berkeley Test also can be used independently of the supplement to measure nitric oxide levels, which are influenced by diet, exercise and other factors.”

For the product launch and to recognize American Heart Month in February, Berkeley Life is launching a national education effort, dubbed “KNOW,” to alert consumers to the importance of nitric oxide for cardiovascular health. The campaign includes advertising, media and influencer outreach and educational content from medical professionals.