Vasodilation and Vasoconstriction

These may not be words that you hear everyday of your life, but they may come up from time to time.  Vasoconstriction is the constriction of the vessels of the body:  blood vessels, arteries, arterioles, capillaries, veins, etc.  Vasoconstriction happens and can be induced by the following:  cold temperatures in the atmosphere or water, from drinking caffeine or taking some kind of stimulant, etc.  Vasodilation is just the opposite.  It's the dilation of the vessels of the body, when our vessels expand and look like they're full with blood. This can been seen when someone looks very "vascular" and their veins stick out from their bodies.  Vasodilation can be induced by the following:  eating nuts--any kind, hot temperatures via water or atmospheric heat, taking L-Arginine, an amino acid, and more blood flow to an area from muscular contractions--ex:  doing bicep curls will cause more blood to flow to that specific area, thus, causing vasodilation.  Lately, people have been supplementing with NOS products (nitric oxide delivery systems).  These products do promote vasodilation, yes, but also promote inflammation.  So, you'll be very vascular and have more of a chance for injury.  The theory is that with more vasodilation, more of the ingested nutrients can be delivered straight into the cells for fuel and to rebuild muscle tissue after breaking it down in a workout.  Instead of taking these products, and  leaving yourself with a chance or chances of being injured, simply eat nuts or supplement with l-arginine, a safe, proven, effective amino acid that will produce the same effects.  L-Arginine is the active, natural ingredient in nuts that promotes the vasodilation!  Eat more nuts!