Combat Poor Circulation

Poor circulation is a common problem millions of individuals suffer with and can lead to organs not receiving adequate blood flow, preventing organs from performing their designated tasks.

Fortunately, there are several ways to combat poor circulation naturally.

Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water is vital for maintaining good circulation. The body needs water to circulate blood efficiently. If you don’t drink enough water, your blood vessels will contract and become narrower, which makes it harder for blood to flow through them. When you’re dehydrated, your body produces more uric acid, which leads to gout and other medical conditions that affect your joints and organs.

To stay hydrated throughout the day, drink at least eight glasses of water per day (or half your body weight in ounces). If you don’t want to keep track by counting glasses or ounces, try using colored straws or cups to remind yourself how much you already have. If these methods aren’t working for you, invest in a water bottle with an electronic counter that will alert you when it’s time for another sip.

Don’t Be Afraid of Some Sun Exposure

Sun exposure has been shown to improve circulation in the body and increase overall energy levels. It also helps reduce stress, which can increase blood pressure and reduce blood flow to the extremities. Getting sun exposure can help increase your body temperature and improve circulation throughout your body. It also helps increase vitamin D levels in the body, which is essential for good health in general. If you’re concerned about sun damage from too much sun exposure, seek shade outdoors during peak sunlight hours; wear sunscreen; wear protective clothing such as long sleeves and pants.

Stick to a Healthy Diet

Vegetables and fruits are loaded with antioxidants that help fight off free radicals in the body and promote healthy cell function. Fruits like strawberries and grapes can help with blood flow. At the same time, vegetables like broccoli and spinach provide essential vitamins that aid in circulation and fight off free radicals, which are known to damage cells and cause inflammation, leading to poor circulation.

You should avoid processed foods high in saturated fat and Trans fats because these will narrow your blood vessels and block blood flow. Red meat should also be avoided because it contains saturated fats, which have been linked to clots or blood vessels becoming blocked, leading to poor circulation issues in some people.

Wear Compression Socks

Compression socks are an easy way to combat poor circulation in your legs and feet, designed to squeeze your legs tightly around the ankle and calf area to improve circulation throughout the rest of your body. The compression from these socks helps increase the amount of blood that flows through your veins, which improves oxygenation in your tissues and muscles. Compression socks can also help reduce swelling in your legs and ankles after exercising or sitting for long periods.

Eat More Garlic

Garlic has long been thought to have health benefits thanks to its high antioxidant content and natural anti-inflammatory properties. However, it also contains numerous compounds that are beneficial for improving circulation throughout the body. Garlic contains an ingredient called allicin that helps boost circulation in the body. Allicin helps thin out your blood, so it moves more freely through your body, which increases oxygen delivery throughout your organs and tissues. The easiest way to get more garlic into your diet is by eating raw garlic cloves or cooking them into foods like soups or sauces. You can also buy supplements that contain concentrated amounts of garlic extract if you don’t like the taste or smell of raw cloves or cooked food with garlic as an ingredient.

Massage Therapy

Massage therapy is an excellent way to improve circulation in the body. A massage therapist will use their hands to apply pressure to your skin in specific areas of the body where blood flow is poor. They will also use their elbows, forearms, and even feet to help increase circulation. Massage therapy has been shown to improve blood flow in the legs by a large percentage. This treatment is particularly useful for people with poor leg circulation due to diabetes or other conditions that affect blood flow.

Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is another way to help improve poor circulation. Smoking narrows the blood vessels in your lungs, which limits oxygen flow throughout your body, including your heart and brain. Smoking also damages cells in your lungs, so they cannot transport oxygen efficiently into the bloodstream. In addition to all these health effects, smoking also increases the risk of serious illnesses such as lung cancer, heart disease, and stroke more than non-smokers.

Wear Loose-Fitting Clothes

You should also make sure that you wear loose-fitting clothes whenever possible. Tight clothing puts pressure on your veins and prevents good blood flow throughout your body. Wearing tight pants can make it difficult for your blood vessels to expand when needed, slowing down circulation even further. The best types of clothing for those with poor circulation are loose-fitting pants or leggings and t-shirts or blouses with long sleeves (if possible).

Elevate Your Legs When Possible

If you’re sitting or standing for long periods, elevate your legs. Raise them at least six inches above the floor. This will help blood flow back through the veins that were compressed by gravity. You can do this in any chair by placing a pillow or two under one leg or using a step stool or raised platform if you’re working from a standing position.

Reasons Why Poor Circulation Can Be Serious to Your Health

Keeping your body in good shape and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is difficult these days with hectic schedules and fast lifestyles that are common these days. However, our circulation system is one body aspect that should not be overlooked. This is especially true as it provides vital nutrients to various parts of the body, which helps in maintaining good health. With a poor circulation in the body, the following can happen:

Stroke

Poor circulation is one of the leading causes of stroke, which is a brain attack. A stroke occurs when blood flow is blocked or reduced to part of the brain for some time. This causes brain cells to die from a lack of oxygen and nutrients. Stroke victims often lose function in limbs on one side of their body or suffer from paralysis from brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen. Stroke victims require long-term care and rehabilitation because they will likely never walk or speak normally again after suffering a stroke.

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenon causes blood vessels in your fingers and toes to narrow when they’re cold or exposed to pressure — such as when you’re holding something heavy or squeezing a tennis ball. This narrowing reduces blood flow to these areas and causes them to turn white or blue. Raynaud’s phenomenon is most common in young women who are pregnant or taking birth control pills.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Poor circulation is often linked to peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs when plaque builds up in the arteries that carry blood throughout the body. As the arteries narrow, they become less able to supply a sufficient amount of oxygen-rich blood to all parts of the body. PAD is one of the most common causes of leg pain and cramping at night and during exercise.

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The threat of poor circulation is a constant worry for most people. Even though most doctors agree that the risk of developing issues due to poor circulation is much more likely in older patients, other factors still increase the risk of this problem, and many younger people suffer from it. Thankfully, today’s technology and natural remedies’ assistance allow one to effectively and permanently care for poor circulation.