If you look at the VapoCept label, the first two ingredients are both forms of arginine. Together they make up the biggest part of the formula. That is no accident. L-arginine is the starting point for one of the body's most important blood flow messengers. Here is what L-arginine does, and why it sits at the heart of VapoCept.
What is L-arginine?
L-arginine is an amino acid, one of the small building blocks your body uses to make proteins. Your body can make some arginine on its own, and you also get it from food. Good sources include turkey, chicken, pork, fish, dairy, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, walnuts, soybeans and lentils.
Besides building proteins, arginine has another important job. It is the raw material for nitric oxide.
From arginine to nitric oxide
The inner lining of your blood vessels, called the endothelium, contains an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase. This enzyme takes arginine and turns it into nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is a gas that acts as a signal. It moves into the smooth muscle around the blood vessel and tells it to relax.
When that muscle relaxes, the vessel widens and becomes more flexible. This process, called vasodilation, is one of the main ways the body keeps blood flowing smoothly to every organ. Mayo Clinic notes that L-arginine helps the body build protein and that it is changed into nitric oxide in the body, which causes blood vessels to open wider for improved blood flow.
Why blood flow matters for your brain
Your brain makes up about 2% of your body weight but uses around 20% of your energy. Unlike muscles, it cannot store much fuel. It depends on a constant flow of blood to bring oxygen and glucose, and to carry away waste.
That is why healthy circulation is so closely linked to how sharp you feel. When blood flows well, your brain gets a steady supply of what it needs to concentrate, remember and think clearly. Supporting healthy blood flow is one of the most direct ways to support everyday brain function.
Why VapoCept uses two forms of arginine
VapoCept includes 200 mg of L-arginine and 200 mg of L-arginine AKG 2:1. AKG stands for alpha-ketoglutarate, a compound your cells use in the Krebs cycle, the process that turns food into energy. Joining arginine to AKG gives VapoCept a second source of arginine and links the blood flow side of the formula to the energy side.
Why citrulline is added too
A good share of the arginine you swallow is broken down in the gut and liver before it reaches the bloodstream. To help with that, VapoCept also includes 200 mg of L-citrulline, an amino acid your body converts into arginine, mainly in the kidneys. Citrulline acts as a steady back-up supply. Read more in L-citrulline vs L-arginine.
How arginine fits the full VapoCept formula
Arginine is the foundation, but VapoCept does not stop there. Niacin supports energy production, calcium supports nerve signaling and beta-alanine supports carnosine. Together, they give your brain daily support for blood flow, energy and communication. See the whole picture on our how VapoCept works page.
The takeaway
L-arginine is the body's raw material for nitric oxide, the messenger that helps blood vessels relax and supports healthy blood flow. Because your brain depends on that flow every second, arginine sits at the center of VapoCept, with 400 mg per capsule from two forms. If you take medicine for blood pressure or chest pain, talk with your doctor before taking any arginine supplement. Learn more on the VapoCept home page.
VapoCept FAQ
What does L-arginine do?
L-arginine is used to build proteins and to make nitric oxide, which helps blood vessels relax and supports healthy blood flow.
What foods contain L-arginine?
Turkey, chicken, pork, fish, dairy, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, walnuts, soybeans and lentils all contain L-arginine.
How much L-arginine is in VapoCept?
Each VapoCept capsule contains 200 mg of L-arginine and 200 mg of L-arginine AKG 2:1, for 400 mg of arginine from two forms.