QUESTION:
Hi Chad. I just want to say that your physique is amazing for a natural bodybuilder and I really hope that I can reach your level one day! Anyways, I had a question about vascularity. I seem to get good pumps in the gym, but none of my veins are really visible. You’re extremely vascular and I was wondering how you became that way? Is it because of diet or supplements?
Jake
ANSWER:
First of all, thank you very much for the kind words! You mentioned you want to get to my level. Well, I think you should aim to SURPASS my level!
Besides, until you’ve had innumerable years of proper and consistent training, along with proper nutrition under your belt, you’ll never truly know what your maximum potential might be.
In regards to your question pertaining to vascularity, both diet and supplements can be instrumental to how vascular you might become. However, genetics will play the most significant role. For example, I actually have the exact same level of vascularity now that I had when I was in 3rd grade! The only difference is that now these same veins branch out around more voluminous, developed muscles.
Get Leaner
Your body fat levels will also be a primary factor in how pronounced your veins become. Since your diet helps determine how much body fat you carry, your nutrition program should undoubtedly be one of the most important elements in your quest to obtain noticeable veins.
Obviously, the less fat you have between your muscles and the surface of your skin, the more visible your veins will be.
Additionally, your body’s hydration level will play a huge role in how much those veins ‘pop’. The more hydrated you are, the better your veins will look. Intracellular water retention will expand the muscles more tightly to the surface of the skin. This means your veins will expand closer to the skin’s surface.
Supplements
As for supplements, creatine and glutamine can improve cellular hydration levels, which will aid in this effect. You’ve probably also heard that nitric oxide boosting supplements will enhance vascularity, which is correct. Nitric oxide helps relax and expand blood vessels so nutrient-rich blood can pump through them more efficiently.
Most nitric oxide boosting supplements contain either arginine or citrulline. These amino acids play a significant role in nitric oxide production. The synthase enzyme known as eNOS is what converts arginine into nitric oxide.
Interestingly enough, citrulline has been shown to increase serum arginine levels more than arginine itself does. This is why many supplement manufacturers use citrulline in addition to or in place of arginine.
If nitric oxide boosting supplements are truly something you’re interested in, I’d suggest Nytric EFX Pro 2. It contains a hefty dose of citrulline to enhance the arginine in the product. They’ve even included hawthorn berry in this formula which works synergistically with arginine and citrulline to help dilate blood vessels and promote better blood circulation. Again, greater blood circulation means fuller veins!
You can also add certain foods to your diet that have naturally occurring nitrates in them to help further boost nitric oxide levels. For example, foods like arugula (sometimes called rucola), beets, spinach, and celery all contain such NO2 boosting nitrates.
Prove ‘Em Wrong,
Chad Shaw
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