Blood circulation
is the backbone of our body’s functionality. The circulation of blood is a
vital process yet, it’s a simple process – as long as the surrounding
structures are playing along nicely. Many people in the US are suffering from
poor circulation of blood due to various reasons and learning some helpful tips
on how to fix it would be beneficial.
What is Blood Circulation All About?
Blood circulation
is the term used to describe the continual process of blood moving throughout
the body. The heart is the command center of this process. The flow of blood
throughout the body moves through a vast system of blood vessels. There are 2
different types of blood vessels that carry the blood – arteries and veins.
Arteries carry the blood away from the heart and veins carry the blood back to
the heart.
On average, a
human adult carries between 8 to 10 pints of blood in their body at all times.
Blood is essential to many aspects of the body. A couple of these include –
carrying oxygen (from the air we breathe) from our lungs to all parts of our
body that require it. Blood is also directly responsible for carrying waste and
removing it from our body. These are just two of the main reasons why blood
circulation is so important.
What are the causes behind Poor Blood Circulation?
Poor blood
circulation simply means that the oxygen being carried may not reach all of its
natural destinations. The most frequent missed areas of the body, due to poor
circulation, are the outer extremities(Fingers and toes). This is due to the
extremities being the furthest distance that the blood travels – and poor
circulation make those distances tough to reach on a consistent basis.
Some common
symptoms of poor circulation:
1. Feeling numb in various parts of the body especially fingers and toes
2. Tired and lack of energy
3. Swollen feet or dizziness and many more.
So, what causes this?
·
Diet and Nutrition
It’s no surprise that diet and nutrition are the main cause for poor
blood circulation. The biggest reason for this is the narrowing or hardening of
arteries due to a poor diet. Arteries can become clogged – known as
atherosclerosis. The narrow or hardened arteries are not capable of allowing
the proper amount of blood flow to the various parts of the body. This
condition can lead to some serious health issues, including heart attack and
stroke.
Maintaining a balanced and healthy diet is an extremely beneficial way
to maintain or improve blood circulation. Drink the proper amount of water and eat
the recommended amount of whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
Smoking:
Another obvious culprit that causes poor blood circulation is Smoking.
Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do to yourself, regardless
of how long you’ve been smoking. The benefits of quitting are tremendous. If
you haven’t tried yet, I encourage you to try. There are many helplines to look
into. A Google search will get you started.
Here are a few more reasons to quit that contribute specifically to poor
blood circulation:
§ Causes less than the normal amount of oxygen to be carried throughout
the body
§ Blood does not flow as smoothly – thus it’s slower
§ Damages artery lining which makes narrowing much more likely to occur
§ Raises blood pressure which makes the heart work even harder
How to Improve and Prevent Poor Blood Circulation
If you feel you
may have an issue with poor blood circulation, making an appointment with your
doctor is the first step you should take.
If you’re looking
to prevent poor circulation for your future, there are some simple habits you
can develop that will greatly decrease your risk of developing it.
·
Exercise
Walking is one of the best ways to improve and prevent poor blood
circulation. It’s easy to do, can be done anytime or any day and is
tremendously beneficial for all who do it.
You can also give swimming a shot. Swimming is an all-around beneficial
exercise – it works your heart, lungs and a large number
of muscle groups and it doesn’t put stress on your joints.
·
Nutrition
Adding foods that are known to improve blood circulation is a great way
to prevent/improve the condition. Your diet should be rich in Vitamin C and
Iron. Below is a sampling of a few “superfoods” that are known to fix poor
circulation:
§ Oranges, Watermelon
§ Cayenne Pepper, Sunflower Seeds
§ Garlic, Avocados, Green leafy vegetables, lentils
§ Salmon, Red meat
§ Dark Chocolate, raisins
