Caffeine: Vasodilator vs. Vasoconstrictor

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  • trojandogg
    Bantamweight Member
    • May 2009
    • 141

    Caffeine: Vasodilator vs. Vasoconstrictor

    Hello all. I had a quick question. I have tried researching this but can't come up with a definitive answer. I was wondering if caffeine was a vasodilator or a vasoconstrictor. Or is it both. I only ask this because i wanted to find a cheaper source of energy BEFORE my workouts vs buying the expensive Noxplode or Jack3d. I thought taking straight caffeine supplements from true nutrition would do the trick. If it has only vasoconstriction qualities then i probably shouldn't be using it i suppose. Thoughts?

    Thanks
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  • SadButTrue
    Light-heavyweight Member
    • Nov 2008
    • 1076

    #2
    I'm no expert but I've always heard that caffeine helps to open the blood vessels(vasodilator) to allow for more blood flow. Caffeine is the only supp I use pre-workout for energy and to me it works just as well as NO-Xplode ever did. I take 200mg before workouts only.



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    • mentalflex
      ISOM Winner February 2012
      • May 2009
      • 3241

      #3
      Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor. It is the other ingredients like citrulline malate and arginine that have vasodilation properties.

      Vasoconstriction is the narrowing (constriction) of blood vessels by small muscles in their walls. When blood vessels constrict, blood flow is slowed or blocked.


      Last edited by mentalflex; 06-25-2012, 02:52 PM.
      Be true to yourself and fuel your body with nothing less the highest quality supplements. Only available at TrueNutrition.com Use discount code: KSP945 to save 5% on your order!

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      • SadButTrue
        Light-heavyweight Member
        • Nov 2008
        • 1076

        #4
        Originally posted by mentalflex
        Caffeine is a vasoconstrictor. It is the other ingredients like citrulline malate and arginine that have vasodilation properties.

        http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/e...cle/002338.htm
        Good info MF. Thank you. It works well for enegy purposes though.



        Use my discount code JHR112 and get 5% off at TrueProtein.com

        "Everybody wanna be a bodybuilder, but don't nobody wanna lift no heavy-ass weight!"-Ronnie Coleman

        GET THE DAMN WEIGHT UP AND BEAT THE LOGBOOK WITH BIG WEIGHT JUMPS-Dante

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        • mentalflex
          ISOM Winner February 2012
          • May 2009
          • 3241

          #5
          Originally posted by SadButTrue
          Good info MF. Thank you. It works well for enegy purposes though.
          Yes, it will increase heart rate and blood flow so when coupled with a vasodilator the effects become more pronounced (meaning more blood flow thus greater pump).
          Be true to yourself and fuel your body with nothing less the highest quality supplements. Only available at TrueNutrition.com Use discount code: KSP945 to save 5% on your order!

          Stickies...just read the damn stickies...

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          2014 Tracey Greenwood Classic Bantam Open - 1st
          2015 Beat Cancer!

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          • SadButTrue
            Light-heavyweight Member
            • Nov 2008
            • 1076

            #6
            Originally posted by mentalflex
            Yes, it will increase heart rate and blood flow so when coupled with a vasodilator the effects become more pronounced (meaning more blood flow thus greater pump).
            I would probably go with caffeine alone just for energy. If he's after energy and pump, I'd probably go with Buzzsaw from TN or something similar. What do you think?



            Use my discount code JHR112 and get 5% off at TrueProtein.com

            "Everybody wanna be a bodybuilder, but don't nobody wanna lift no heavy-ass weight!"-Ronnie Coleman

            GET THE DAMN WEIGHT UP AND BEAT THE LOGBOOK WITH BIG WEIGHT JUMPS-Dante

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            • Jared Ragsdale
              TEAM SKIP Approved Trainer
              • Apr 2006
              • 3244

              #7
              I like glycocarn for pumps.
              Owner of 316FIT and Team Skip Approved Trainer


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              • trojandogg
                Bantamweight Member
                • May 2009
                • 141

                #8
                Thanks SadButTrue and Mentalflex!

                My only real use for it was the boost of energy that caffeine gives. Should i not take it if it is vasoconstrictor? Should i always take a vasodilator with it? Is a vasodilator really that beneficial in the gym anyways besides maybe the psychological effect it brings when viewing oneself in the mirror while working out?
                Wanna save $$$ on your next protein purchase? Use TES117 for 5% off your order at www.truenutrition.com.

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                • SadButTrue
                  Light-heavyweight Member
                  • Nov 2008
                  • 1076

                  #9
                  I honestly only use the caffeine. I train DC and have not had any problems with gains IMO. Could I do better with a NO product? Maybe. But I am on a tight budget and can't afford it. If you can afford it, go for it. It won't hurt.



                  Use my discount code JHR112 and get 5% off at TrueProtein.com

                  "Everybody wanna be a bodybuilder, but don't nobody wanna lift no heavy-ass weight!"-Ronnie Coleman

                  GET THE DAMN WEIGHT UP AND BEAT THE LOGBOOK WITH BIG WEIGHT JUMPS-Dante

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                  • Sammich
                    Moderator/Intense Muscle Competitive Powerlifter 275lb Raw Club Total 1625
                    • Nov 2005
                    • 10275

                    #10
                    Originally posted by mentalflex
                    Yes, it will increase heart rate and blood flow so when coupled with a vasodilator the effects become more pronounced (meaning more blood flow thus greater pump).
                    No, combining caffeine with a vasodilator will cancel out effects if you're lucky. If you're unlucky, you will get some really horrible drug interactions, like what happens if you take clen + viagra. Learned that one the hard way.
                    Ph.D., Theoretical Physics '16
                    kind of a douche

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                    • mentalflex
                      ISOM Winner February 2012
                      • May 2009
                      • 3241

                      #11
                      Originally posted by trojandogg
                      Thanks SadButTrue and Mentalflex!

                      My only real use for it was the boost of energy that caffeine gives. Should i not take it if it is vasoconstrictor? Should i always take a vasodilator with it? Is a vasodilator really that beneficial in the gym anyways besides maybe the psychological effect it brings when viewing oneself in the mirror while working out?
                      No, you can take caffeine on its own for energy without a vasodilator. It isn't going to hamper you at all. Caffeine stimulates the CNS, which would positively affect the an individual in two ways: through perceived exertion and through increased neural activation of muscle contraction.

                      Caffeine also increases the release early in exercise of free fatty acids into the blood. The increase in fatty acid availability leads to increased muscle fat oxidation and decreased carbohydrate oxidation, thus sparing muscle glycogen for use later in exercise. The extra store of glycogen benefits the individual by delaying the onset of fatigue.

                      Feel free to incorporate caffeine as the vasoconstriction effects will not likely hinder your gains or progress.
                      Be true to yourself and fuel your body with nothing less the highest quality supplements. Only available at TrueNutrition.com Use discount code: KSP945 to save 5% on your order!

                      Stickies...just read the damn stickies...

                      2014 Xcalibur Cup Bantam Open - 1st
                      2014 Tracey Greenwood Classic Bantam Open - 1st
                      2015 Beat Cancer!

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                      • mentalflex
                        ISOM Winner February 2012
                        • May 2009
                        • 3241

                        #12
                        Originally posted by Sammich
                        No, combining caffeine with a vasodilator will cancel out effects if you're lucky. If you're unlucky, you will get some really horrible drug interactions, like what happens if you take clen + viagra. Learned that one the hard way.
                        Sammich, then why are all of these companies combining arginine with caffeine? Is it that the arginine is not as significant of a vasodilator?

                        I believe I have fallen victim to bro-science...

                        Can you elaborate on your experience?
                        Last edited by mentalflex; 06-25-2012, 04:22 PM.
                        Be true to yourself and fuel your body with nothing less the highest quality supplements. Only available at TrueNutrition.com Use discount code: KSP945 to save 5% on your order!

                        Stickies...just read the damn stickies...

                        2014 Xcalibur Cup Bantam Open - 1st
                        2014 Tracey Greenwood Classic Bantam Open - 1st
                        2015 Beat Cancer!

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                        • -AJA14-
                          Light-heavyweight Member
                          • Jan 2009
                          • 855

                          #13
                          Mental, I heard, you shouldn't take caffeine and arginine at the same time, because they will cancel each other out basically. Maybe that was just bro science I heard.
                          Are you saying you get better pumps with both. I Have never been a pre workout Supp user.

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                          • -AJA14-
                            Light-heavyweight Member
                            • Jan 2009
                            • 855

                            #14
                            Damn I am a slow typer, I guess sammich answered my question.

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                            • thedunhill225
                              Light-heavyweight Member
                              • Jun 2011
                              • 1919

                              #15
                              If your after a pump and price is no object just get a script for viagra....no OTC sup can compare. If arginine worked then there would be no market for viagra (if it worked it would be sold as an 'ed' drug and not at gnc).

                              For energy....drink a redbull.

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