Thread: Vascularity

Lowering your body fat improves vascularity. The circulatory system also undergoes some adaptations when you begin to exercise, such as increased blood volume. This can enhance vascularity.
You can also try to supplement with Niacin to help bring out vascualrity.

Yes my vein's appeared more when my bf was lower, but I reached 10% and I still wasn't happy with the vascularity. I guess most of it balls down to genetics again.

Thanks for the circularity system point never come across that.

What is Niacin any side effects/etc?

I also read somewhere that in addition to a low bf, more muscle mass can make them appear.

Source

Niacin, also known as niacinamide (Vitamin B3). Niacin is a water soluble vitamin partly supplied by the tryptophan in the diet, which in turn is converted into niacin. It functions as part of two enzymes, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD), and with an additional phosphate, (NADP). They work in the glycogen energy cycle, the oxidation of fatty acids for energy, and in tissue respiration.
Niacin is essential for the production and manufacture of all the sex hormones, thyroxine and insulin. Niacin is essential for proper functioning of the nervous syste,.
Best food sources of niacin are meats and fish. During cooking and processing niacin normally remains fairly well intact as it is resiliant to any form of damage in this way.
A person whose body is deficient in B1, B2, and B6 will not be able to produce niacin from tryptophan. Lack of niacin can bring about a negative personality change.
Athletes seem to require higher amounts of niacin, due to the use of niacin-linked energy processes in energy production, as appossed to regular sedentary folk. The RDA for Niacin for an average coach potato is 19mg. One should be aware that niacin supplementation above the 30mg dose can cause vascular dilation with flushing, burning and itching - the niacin flush or rash as it is known. This flushing effect is short lived, only about twenty minutes, an only happens with the nicotinic acid form of niacin. It is entirely harmless. Some believe that this vascular dilation can bring about much greater vascularity for the competing bodybuilder. Toxicity, however, is very low - upto 1000mg per day.
High doses of Niacin (in the 3 - 10 gram range - which is phenomenally huge) have been shown to increase the use of glycogen and the speed of glycogen use. But this dose also blocks the use of fatty acids for fuel.
Niacin can aid in promotinga healthy digestive system, alleviate gastrointestinal disturbances, give you healthier looking skin. It can help prevent and ease severity of migraine headaches. Increase circulation and reduce high blood pressure. Ease some attacks of diarrhoea. Reduce the unpleasant symptoms of vertigo in Meniere's syndrome. Help eliminate canker sores and, often, bad breath.It has even been shown to lower cholesterol.
Niacin should be used cautiously by anyone with severe diabetes, glaucoma, peptic ulcers or impaired liver function.

I asked this question a while ago and both P-funk and Cowpimp answered it.

I used it thinking I can deal with the flush but it was too much for me, it felt like I had the fever so I ditched it. Another reason I stopped was that I have a bad liver and this stuff is not good for a weak liver.

I have heard though that aspirin helps ease that flush feeling, they also say there's a "no flush" version of this pill.

so niacin is good for acheiving vasularity?

No Kenwood. Reducing subcutaneous bodyfat and increasing muscle mass (reducing bf % in the single digit figures) is really the only way to increase vascularity. A supplement will help marginally at best.

Feed your brain: go back to school.

in the single digits? my uncle has a 15-16%bf and he has insane vascularity in his biceps, forearms, and chest.

I have large veins in my forearms, calves and biceps. When I lower my bf they show all over my upper arms, shoulders and chest.

don't quote me, but i've read that increased cardio (VO2max) can give birth to new veins, and increase the size of those already in the body

Thanks guys for posting, good point func. But i agree with Kenwood alot of people with a fairly high bf can have them so I'm guessing it's genetic.

No, Kenwood's statement is only partially correct.

Sure, you see vasculature where the SUB-Q FAT IS NORMALLY THINNEST> forearms, back of hands, top of chest, neck, *maybe* biceps (doubtful at 15%), tops of feet, maybe some in lower leg.

Its not until bf drops to much lower values that vasculature appears for those bodyparts that normally carry higher (localized) subcutaneous fat percentages: belly, upper legs, lower chest, shoulders.

Agreed, to an extent, the matter is genetic. However, the salient point here is subQ fat and skin thickness, body composition.

well my uncle is around 14-15% bf and he has veins in his forearms,biceps, and chest sticking out a 1/4" when he's not flexing and when he does flex its insane!

IMO i dont really care about veins sticking out and etc. sure its prolly a goodthing when going to the doctor but i dont really care about it.

Originally Posted by kenwood

well my uncle is around 14-15% bf and he has veins in his forearms,biceps, and chest sticking out a 1/4" when he's not flexing and when he does flex its insane!

Might be varicose veins, they tend to be more visible.

Older people have crazy veins sometimes. I think I read somewhere on here that when u get older your fast goes deeper into you or something?

No, as you get older and produce fewer androgens and growth hormone, your skin and subQ fat gets thinner.

OK, Kenwood, you made your point. Your uncle is a mutant.

Originally Posted by Trouble

No, as you get older and produce fewer androgens and growth hormone, your skin and subQ fat gets thinner.

OK, Kenwood, you made your point. Your uncle is a mutant.

Originally Posted by Trouble

No, as you get older and produce fewer androgens and growth hormone, your skin and subQ fat gets thinner.

OK, Kenwood, you made your point. Your uncle is a mutant.

ROFL!!!

thanks for your reply Trouble.

ive had a noticable increase in arm vascularity after going from bodyfat in the 9's to the low 7's. Not on legs/chest/back as ive been slack with workouts lately and am not big.

most of the girls i know love it when ive been carrying something and the forearms are going nuts.

the girlfriend hates it, grosses her out. its a cruel world.