Blood circulation is one of the most crucial functions of your body. It is when our hearts pump oxygenated blood throughout our body to keep it going. Good circulation stabilizes body temperature and benefits our overall health.
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in America. Over 655,000 Americans die every year from some form of heart disease. Some diseases like Atherosclerosis block blood flow and prevents adequate circulation.
Good circulation can improve your heart health and set you up for long life. But what’s good for circulation? In this article, we show you some ways of improving your blood circulation.
What Happens With Poor Circulation
Poor circulation blocks blood flow that your body needs to function. Without good circulation, your body might not receive enough nutrients. This can lead to several health problems. Some risks with poor circulation include:
- Vertigo and dizziness
- Numbness
- Blood clots
- Carpal Tunnel
- Varicose veins
- Organ Damage
- Cardiovascular disease
- Strokes
- Leg ulcers
- Muscle cramps, and
- High blood pressure
People who suffer from poor circulation may have poor athletic performance. Your body needs good blood circulation to fight off disease and illness. Read on to discover some of the causes of poor circulation.
Causes Of Poor Circulation
Poor lifestyle habits can affect your blood flow. Lack of exercise, poor diet, and vices like smoking can affect circulation. Arteriosclerosis (a condition that hardens your arteries) can come from smoking.
It is a side effect of diabetes and happens when fatty acids like cholesterol build up in your arteries. Prolonged sitting can also lead to poor blood circulation. When your muscles are idle, your body slows down circulation.
When blood flow slows, it can cause fatty acids to clog your heart. This in turn can heighten blood pressure and elevate your cholesterol levels. Blood that pools around your legs can cause varicose veins and deep vein thrombosis.
What’s good for circulation? Here are some things you can do to promote good blood flow.
Exercise
Daily exercise can improve good blood flow and promote your overall health. Regular exercise can help you control your weight and fight off illnesses. Any exercise can help you improve blood circulation.
Simple exercises like walking can help your blood flow. When you feel more comfortable, you can move on to more challenging exercises. Rigorous training like running, swimming, and biking can help you boost blood flow.
Regular exercise is great for treating varicose veins. For more severe cases, you may contact Avicenna varicose veins treatment.
Eat The Right Foods
One great way to improve circulation is by eating the right foods. Here are some of the best foods to improve blood circulation.
Cayenne Pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, which gives it its spicy flavor. It promotes blood flow to your tissues with the release of nitric oxide. It can also help in lowering blood pressure.
Pomegranate
Pomegranates are a rich source of polyphenol antioxidants and nitrates. Consuming any form of pomegranates can give you valuable health benefits.
Onions
Onions contain high amounts of flavonoid antioxidants. It can help widen your arteries and veins to increase blood flow.
Cinnamon
Many studies show that cinnamon can improve blood vessel dilation. It promotes the flow of blood in your coronary artery.
Beets
Beets are a popular food in athlete’s diets. The high nitrate content can help increase blood flow to your muscle tissues.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes can help in reducing angiotensin-converting enzymes. ACEs can constrict blood flow pressure by constricting blood vessels.
Get A Massage Therapy
A good massage can help stimulate blood flow and relieve stress. Experts say that getting a massage can speed up blood circulation. Pressure applied to your body can help move blood along congested areas.
Once a therapist releases pressure, blood may start flowing in places it may not have before. Getting a massage can help flush lactic acid from your muscles. It can also help your lymph fluid, which carries away wastes from your internal organs and muscles.
Drink Water and Green Tea
Water is essential for all your body’s functions. Drinking enough water a day can help your body fight off circulation issues. It aids your body in flushing out toxins.
Drinking green tea is another great way to improve blood flow. Green tea is rich in antioxidants and can help widen your blood vessels. This allows your blood to flow with more ease.
Green tea may benefit your health with prolonged intake. If you want to see how green tea can improve your health, aim to drink at least two to three glasses a day.
Reduce Stress
High amounts of stress can have negative impacts on your body. When stressed, your body goes into fight or flight mode. It can affect your body’s blood circulation.
If you want to improve your body’s blood flow, try reducing stress factors. If you have a hectic schedule, you can try writing in a journal to fight stress. This helps you organize your daily activities and routines.
Consider spending time with your family and friends or talking to a professional. Try to get rid of bad habits like smoking and drinking. Indulge in self-care activities when facing stressful situations.
Try Stretching and Yoga
If you often sit idle for long hours, make it a habit to stretch every few minutes.
Stretching a couple of times a day can help improve blood circulation. You may also try walking around after long hours of work.
Yoga is a great method for improving blood circulation. Hyperactivity in the nervous system can speed up your heart rate and contract blood flow. Some poses can help your nervous system calm down and drop systolic blood pressure.
Take What’s Good for Circulation Today!
Good blood circulation is essential for your overall health. What’s good for circulation, you ask? Try these tips for improving blood flow.
But why stop with circulation tips when we have a plethora of other health blog posts for you to discover? Continue reading now to learn even more health tips today!