It is estimated that there are 60,000 miles of blood vessels in the human body. And, using these, our blood is transported to all of the tissue and organs that are so essential to everyday life. This circulation is incredibly important for a number of reasons. . And, when we experience lulls in our circulation, it can cause uncomfortable and significant issues. Here at Natural Health 4 Life, we focus on bringing our customers the right advice to improve their health naturally. In this guide, we’ll look at a number of ways you can improve yours today.
Without proper circulation, we cannot hope to have good health. The blood in our bodies transports oxygen, vitamins and nutrients throughout the body. This allows all of the different organs to function properly and supports bodily functions. When our blood flows consistently throughout the arteries, it helps to ensure good oxygen intake, keeps your brain sharp and helps to keep your skin well hydrated.
Poor circulation prevents water from being properly removed from the body. This can cause edema and is also a key sign for heart failure. You may also notice skin discolouration, ulcers, pain in the pelvic region or restless feet. These can all be signs that your blood isn’t circulating appropriately and certain areas of the body are being starved of the goodness that they need.
On its own, poor circulation isn’t a condition. This is due to the fact that it is normally a byproduct of another underlying issue. There are a number of conditions that can lead to a lack of proper circulation which we’ll look into in more detail here.
Peripheral artery disease is a condition where our arteries and vessels become narrower. A buildup of plaque causes the walls to stiffen up which decreases the space for blood to easily flow through. Overtime, this impacts circulation, causing numbness, tingling and the potential for tissue damage too.
Blood clots are a key cause of strokes and heart attacks. They form a physical barrier that prevents blood from being able to pass through easily. When we find them in the arms or legs, there is normally a link to poor circulation.
Those people with diabetes tend to have higher glucose levels in the blood. This increases the risk of fatty deposits along the walls of the blood vessels which stand in the way of healthy blood flow. This glucose can also cause damage to the inner linings of arteries which then respond by laying on plaque as a healing mechanism. This makes the arteries stiffer and less able to perform their necessary role.
If you’re experiencing poor blood circulation, it is important to get to the root of the issue. A healthcare professional will be able to identify if there are more serious issues and provide solutions. However, there are a number of natural lifestyle measures you can take too.
During exercise, our heart beats faster and pumps blood around the body. This helps to flush blood through the arteries but also strengthens the heart and blood vessels, improving their function. Also, as the muscles in our bodies contract and relax during exercise, they squeeze the veins around our bodies and promote better circulation in these more stagnant areas.
Ensuring our blood is as healthy as possible is a good way to improve circulation. Nitrate-rich foods, like spinach, are thought to help enlarge vessels while also keeping the flexibility in our arteries and lowering blood pressure. Good levels of HDL cholesterol transport fat away from the arteries and into the liver for processing, reducing the risk of fatty deposits.
If you’re experiencing poor circulation in your legs, it could be a case of gravity. The oxygen-depleted blood here must work hard against gravity in order to move upwards. An easy way to solve this is to elevate your legs above the level of your heart. It can help to improve blood flow in the veins in this lower part of the body.
Similarly, compression socks can help to promote better circulation in legs. Similar to the muscles in our body, they push blood flow up the leg and help to prevent swelling.
Good circulation comes from having a consistent blood pressure. If it is too high, you place too much strain on the arteries. The points above will all help to manage your blood pressure, as will cutting down on salt intake and reducing alcohol intake too.
When you inhale smoke, you inhale carbon monoxide. This latches onto red blood cells and prevents them from being able to easily transport oxygen around the body. Smoking also constricts blood vessels and makes it much harder for the right levels of blood to pump throughout the body. Within 12 weeks of stopping smoking, blood circulation will improve, making it easier to exercise and improving your immune system at the same time.
At Natural Health 4 Life, we focus on bringing you the best advice and tips on improving your health in the most natural ways. We have a wide range of circulatory and heart health products available on our website, all of which have been hand chosen by our experienced team. So, if you have any questions, cannot find the product you’re looking for or would like some additional advice, please do get in contact with us here today.
