How to Improve Your Circulation by Maintaining a Healthy Heart
Having proper blood flow through your body is important in maintaining a healthy heart. A healthy heart = a healthy life! Did you know that your heart pumps about 2,000 gallons of blood every day? Did you also know there is a correlation between your heart and your veins?
Your heart plays a huge role in your body! Your heart is responsible for pumping blood (and oxygen!) throughout the body to keep you alive. After oxygen is delivered, deoxygenated blood is then routed back to your heart through your veins. If something goes wrong with your heart, your veins can also be affected. If you also experience issues with your veins, such as having a blood clot, it can impact your body’s circulation and the health of your heart may also be impacted.
Having poor circulation is a problem for both your heart and your veins. Any time that your blood flow slows down, negative health consequences can occur. You may experience painful or uncomfortable symptoms like leg swelling and fatigue.
Understanding Your Venous System
To avoid dangerous health complications, we suggest that you keep an eye out for poor circulation symptoms, which include:
Cold feet or legs
When blood flow slows, certain parts of your body can feel colder than others. If you find that your feet or legs seem cold, this may be a sign you have poor circulation.
Swollen legs, ankles, or feet
When the veins in your legs malfunction, they become inefficient at sending blood back to your heart. This is when venous insufficiency, or vein disease occurs. When venous insufficiency develops, blood tends to collect in the lower extremities which causes swelling.
Muscle cramping
Poor circulation can also cause muscle aches and pains. This often occurs in your calves. If you suspect sluggish blood flow is behind your muscle cramping, we suggest contacting your doctor.
Numbness
If you start to feel tingling or numbness in your thighs, calves, or feet, this may be due to having circulatory problems.
Skin changes
Abnormal blood flow can lead to regional skin discoloration. In extreme cases, the skin can break open and form what we call venous ulcers.
Leg ulcers
Problems with venous circulation can lead to the development of venous ulcers, which are open, non-healing wounds. The presence of these is a potentially dangerous situation since they can put you at risk for serious infection.
Food to eat to improve blood circulation in the veins
Wondering what foods helps improve your blood circulation? Implementing these foods into your diet will improve your blood circulation and your overall vein health.
What we eat has a significant effect on our health, including energy, digestion, weight gain, and weight loss. Proper blood circulation provides the oxygen necessary for our body’s organs to function properly. A diet rich in omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and essential nutrients can contribute to healthy circulation and healthy veins. Essential nutrients keep the veins strong and flexible, but not all nutrients work the same.
Here is a list of foods, and recipes that can help keep your veins in good health and shape.
Fiber
Eating soluble fiber helps in preventing constipation. Constipation can increase the pressure on your veins which later can contribute to the development of varicose veins. Also, insoluble fiber helps in reducing cholesterol levels. Foods rich in fiber, such as oats, apples, flaxseed, carrots, berries, and barley, are great for fighting against varicose veins and keeping veins healthy.
Bioflavonoids
If you’ve never heard of bioflavonoids, bioflavonoids are the things that give food their vibrant colors and are good for preventing the development of varicose veins. Choosing a diet that contains a higher amount of bioflavonoids can benefit your veins. The more colorful your diet, the better it is for your health. Start improving your vein health by adding foods like dark leafy greens, along with red and yellow foods to your meals.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C can be helpful in preventing varicose vein development symptoms by improving circulation, reducing inflammation, strengthening vein walls and improving your overall health. Try adding foods like berries, citrus fruits, and peppers into your daily meals.
Celery
Celery is a good source of vitamin K, and also essential for blood clotting and healthy blood flow in your body. Celery is low in calories but high in minerals, vitamins, and dietary fiber. Celery is often overlooked, but this vegetable is very helpful in eliminating toxins and can be delicious in soups and smoothies.
Garlic
Garlic has been used medicinally for a long time and is a natural blood thinner. It has also been proven as the best food to help keep the constant flow of blood through veins. It aids in digestion. It is also known as a good source of increasing blood circulation.
Raw Nuts & Seeds
Nuts are rich in niacin and vitamin B3 which are essential for blood flow. Nuts also prevent circulation problems and they contain unique antioxidant components. Hemp, sunflower, flax, and chia are some foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids and fiber. They are found to be a good source of anti-inflammatory proteins that help by removing cholesterol and improving blood flow quality.
Varicose veins
When blood flow slows and begins to collect, it places pressure on your veins. Over time, they forcefully start to expand. This can lead to painful, enlarged, and unsightly varicose veins which you may already be experiencing.
The good news is that following a healthy lifestyle can have a major impact on the health of your heart and veins. It is also important to note that when lifestyle modifications, like changing your diet, aren’t enough you have treatment options.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.