Healthy blood circulation is vital for optimum health because it ensures that oxygen, minerals and nutrients to all parts of the body. It also boosts energy levels by removing toxins from the body in order to maintain a stronger immune system and promote organ function and cell growth. Poor circulation can have adverse effects on the entire body, including the kidneys, liver, heart, limbs and the brain. Signs and symptoms of poor blood circulation in the body include hair loss, tingling sensation in some body parts (especially the limbs), dizziness, fatigue, cold feet and hands, edema, muscle cramps, an irregular heartbeat, headaches, dry skin and pain in the legs.
What are the Causes of Poor Circulation?
There are very many factors that can cause poor blood circulation such as smoking, caffeine, sedentary lifestyle, excessive drinking, poor eating habits, and long hours sitting at work. It can also be a result of some medical conditions such as thyroid disease, blocked or narrowed blood vessels, anemia, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, pregnancy, diabetes, and nerve disorders. However, you can improve blood circulation throughout your body naturally by eating a healthy diet and making some lifestyle changes. Let’s explore some specific strategies for improving blood circulation:
- Massage – A great treatment for poor circulation in feet.
A massage, especially after a busy day can be very rewarding. It helps you distress and relaxes your muscles. Besides easing sore muscles, massage also improves blood circulation for both sedentary and active people. Although most people don’t have problems with blood flow when they are moving and getting their legs to work, when you’re in bed for several months or indoors without exercise, then a massage at least every once in a while will prove to be very helpful.
For instance, when you massage your legs, the gentle pressure helps blood move through tight areas and when you release the pressure more blood flows to your legs. Massaging your body can also help release toxins, help you relax and improve your circulation especially when you add essential oils that are good for circulation such as peppermint, rosemary, ginger, and cypress.
- Water
Drink lots of water! Drinking water with the spices you have added to your diet or even after a massage keeps your body hydrated and helps it flush out toxins. A lot of people drink less water when they are bed ridden simply because they rarely feel thirst or because they don’t want to feel like going to the bathroom every few hours. Although this might be rather uncomfortable when you’re bedridden or on clutches, staying hydrated is totally worth it.
When you don’t drink enough water your blood gradually becomes thicker and this makes the liver less efficient and the heart is pushed to work even harder. Moreover, it reduces the amount of oxygen getting to your brain and this makes you feel low on energy and sluggish.
Are there any Foods and Herbs that can Improve Circulation?
Herbs, fruits and vegetables are good for our health because they are rich in bioflavonoids that help strengthen blood capillaries, improving blood flow. Foods that improve blood circulation include:
- Tomato
Tomato is rich in a compound known as lycopene, which helps prevent the buildup of plaque in the bloodstream. By preventing plaque buildup, one of the most common hindrances to healthy blood flow, lycopene automatically improves blood circulation.
- Nuts
It is essential to include nuts with high levels of vitamin B in your diet in order to include blood flow. Nuts such as almonds, cashew and pistachio are very rich in vitamin B, which dilates blood vessels, boosting blood flow. It also lowers low-density lipoprotein in the bloodstream.
- Garlic
Garlic is one of the staple ingredients in Asian, American and European cuisines. Numerous studies show that Garlic has numerous medicinal properties and proven to be effective in treating various ailments. People who incorporate garlic in their diet on a regular basis are less likely to have blood circulation problems. This can be attributed to the fact that garlic stimulates the production of hydrogen sulfide which promotes blood circulation in the body. It also reduces the levels of low density lipoprotein and increases the production of hydrogen sulfide, which improves blood flow in the body. Garlic also keeps our blood pressure within the normal range by raising the levels of good cholesterol in our bodies. Studies show that it also prevents platelet aggregation.
- Cayenne pepper
Besides adding flavor to curries, cayenne is also very useful for improving blood circulation in our bodies. Cayenne pepper such as chili, red pepper and paprika prevent platelets from accumulating and clumping up in the blood. Helps dilate blood vessels thus increasing blood circulation in the body. Cayenne pepper keeps blood pressure within the normal range and also helps to warm the feet and hands.
- Ginkgo
This herb is widely used as a traditional medicine. It improves a wide range of blood circulation problems and cognitive functions. It improves blood circulation by dilating blood vessels and preventing platelets from clumping up. Ginkgo also improves microcirculation in our tiny capillaries, promoting blood circulation in the extremities. It improves blood flow in the brain, improving various functions such as memory, learning and retinal deterioration. Besides including ginkgo in your diet, you can also use it in the form of supplements or tincture.
- Ginger
Besides being a common ingredient in a wide variety of dishes in different cuisines, ginger also possesses a very wide variety of medicinal uses. It contains zingeron and gingeroles which are highly beneficial to the body. Additionally, ginger prevents the absorption of fat (cholesterol) in the liver and blood. It can also prevent the formation of blood clots in the body.
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It’s highly likely that you may have to deal with poor blood circulation at some point in life due to factors that are out of our control such as lifestyle or environmental factors. However, you don’t really have to panic; with some lifestyle and diet changes and a great natural supplement you can easily improve your blood flow considerably. Therefore, before visiting your doctor or buying some over-the-counter medicines, you should try these tips and see if they can help you.
The greatest wealth is health!
