Vasodilation is something that every health-conscious person should be considering.
That’s not a statement made lightly, as it’s essential for many aspects of one’s health, be it male or female.
Sadly, the vast majority of people are oblivious to what vasodilation is, or how it can positively impact their lives. Luckily, that’s all about to change.
Most people that are familiar with vasodilation and the use of vasodilator supplements are usually athletes.
However, after reading this you will scarcely find a reason to not add these handy supplements to your arsenal.
More...
The Top Vasodilator Supplements
What are the Benefits of Taking Vasodilator Supplements?
Vasodilation simply refers to the process of increasing the space within blood vessels, otherwise known as the lumen.
Vasodilation is a highly desired trait, as it positively impacts blood pressure, reduces cardiac risk, and most importantly ensures that nutrients and oxygen-rich blood reach their target cells.
There is a myriad of health conditions associated with poor blood flow, or the inability of blood vessels to relax and accommodate requirements for enhanced blood flow.
How Does Vasodilation Work?
Vasodilation is typically measured by its net result; an increase in nitric oxide levels. But this doesn’t just magically happen.
Which begs the question; how is vasodilation achieved?
Most often, there are 3 ways, supplements are the focus of the first two ways, with the third usually following as a result. These include:
Top Vasodilator and Nitric Oxide Supplements to Choose
L-Arginine
To start off a list of the best vasodilator supplements, it goes without saying that Arginine is the first one to join the list.
Though at first glance a mere amino acid (more specifically, a conditional amino acid), its functions extend far beyond protein synthesis and cellular recovery.
L-Arginine is arguably one of the best supplements to elevate endothelial nitric oxide levels, though today it has been superseded by a better alternative.
Nevertheless, there is a reason L-Arginine and numerous derivatives of it, such as Arginine Alpha-ketoglutarate, are still used in many products as the main source of nitric oxide precursors.
That reason?
Because arginine is the stepping stone of nitric oxide synthesis. Virtually all vasodilator supplements have a mechanism relating to arginine; be that preserving its half-life, increasing its bio availability, or directly influencing its quantity.
And yet, even though the derivatives claim small advantages over the parent amino acid that is L-Arginine, at the end of the day there is no substantive evidence that this is so.
To elicit its vasodilatory actions, Arginine is acted upon by the enzyme nitric oxide synthase (NOS), which is responsible for the production of nitric oxide molecules.
Nitric oxide is the direct mediator of vasodilation, with all vasodilator supplements needing to boost this molecule to deliver their action.
L-Citrulline
If L-Arginine is the old school standard of vasodilation, L-Citrulline must take the prize for the new kid on the block.
Not that different from L-Arginine, L-Citrulline is also an amino acid produced during the metabolism of other aminos.
Citrulline came out from the shadows and now stands on its own, atop the podium when it comes to effective vasodilators.
In a strange twist of faith, L-citrulline still needs to be broken down into arginine to start the process of nitric oxide synthesis.
Which begs the question; why not just use arginine then?
As it turns out, L-citrulline is better at raising levels of arginine, than arginine supplementation itself, meaning that a greater amount can convert into the vasodilator nitric oxide.
L-citrulline is converted into L-arginine in the kidneys, bypassing the effect of liver metabolism, which can reduce the amount left available for conversion into nitric oxide.
Arterial inflexibility is also improved because of citrulline supplementation, ensuring that the coronary arteries are better able to supply oxygen and nutrient-rich blood.
Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10)
CoQ-10 is well known for its ability to promote energy generation in mitochondrial cells and supporting the health of the heart.
However, what is not well known is the fact that CoQ-10 is also an excellent vasodilator supplement.
CoQ-10 has an important role in helping to improve the longevity of Nitric oxide molecules, relaxing arterial stiffness and subsequent blood pressure, and increasing nitric oxide levels itself.
Studies have also been conducted to analyze its effect on the management of Peyronie’s Disease, which is associated with erectile dysfunction and the painful curvature of the penis when erect.
It was found to be able to manage the erectile dysfunction aspect, assisting men in regaining some normal sexual function. These effects can be found manifested as improved endothelial function of blood vessels.
Vitamin C + Garlic in Combination
Yes, you read that correctly. Though many people have never thought about it, you can add nitric oxide production to the long list of Vitamin C benefits.
But when combined with Garlic (such as in Garlic extract capsules), the effect is ungodly.
Vitamin C on its own helps to preserve the longevity of nitric oxide molecules.
Garlic, on the other hand, is a rich source of inorganic dietary nitrates, which is an excellent but relatively unknown way to boost the production of nitric oxide.
When combined, and administered over a period of just 10 days, this study found an impressive 200% increase in nitric oxide production, along with great improvements to both the systolic and diastolic aspects of blood pressure.
An added bonus? The quality of erections was also significantly improved, adding quite a bit to the experience.
Pycnogenol
Pycnogenol is made from extracts of the maritime pine bark and is standardized to contain between 65-75% Procyanidin content.
This extract is a potent anti-oxidant compound. But of course, that’s not all that is has on offer.
Studies have found that Pycnogenol is able to increase nitric oxide synthase expression inside the blood vessel walls (the endothelium), which is the key step in the production of nitric oxide.
You can consume all the arginine and citrulline in the world, but without the adequate function of this enzyme, production will be stalled.
Pycnogenol is uniquely poised to help overcome this scenario, and when combined with the other pro-vasodilatory supplements it can result in a far greater production of nitric oxide.
Other Notable Vasodilator Supplements
Putting It Together
While you can take any one of the above vasodilator supplements on their own and still experience great effects, many of them can be stacked together for a synergistic boost.
For example, taking L-citrulline with Pycnogenol will result in a much greater production of nitric oxide. Similarly, including the arginase inhibitor L-Norvaline will help to keep arginine in its original state for a longer period of time, increasing the likelihood of it being converted successfully into nitric oxide.
Consistent use of these supplements will help you achieve skin splitting muscle pumps, improved resistance to fatigue, and the not so subtle improvements to your erectile potency and sexual endurance. Need anymore be said? Didn’t think so. Don’t miss out on what these supplements have to offer you!
[simple-author-box]