Poor Blood Circulation

Introduction

Did you know that, during a lifetime, we can accumulate up to 10% of our body weight as gunk only in the bloodstream? 10% !!! That means 6kg of gunk in a person weighing 60kg.. Unbelievable isn’t it%? Our blood vessels form a complex network, much more complex that we normally imagine. Actually there are so many blood vessels that if we would remove everything else inside our body, we would have exactly the same shape. If we take a needle and poke ourselves anywhere, a drop of blood would come out right? We have blood vessels simply everywhere and accumulations of debris slowly gather throughout our life … and at some point block the proper circulation and the proper cleansing and nutrition of our cells. When we think detoxification we need to think deeper and aim to reach the deepest layers of our system. A daily intake of super-enzymes, which are some kinds of little cleansing Pac-Men that penetrate the tissues and seek for those debris, are necessary to reach those layers. Think detoxing as a lifestyle, not as a one-shot deal. Keep maintaining your system clean through your diet, lifestyle elements like skin brushing, cupping, sweating, exercising, proper sleeping … and give your system the proper support by supplementing with the principal cleansing workers, enzymes.

Description

Healthy circulation is imperative for maintaining a healthy body. Our heart, veins, arteries and the blood that runs through them all work together to ensure our bodies receive enough oxygen and nutrients. Having poor circulation can impair energy levels, general alertness and the body’s ability to repair itself. When circulation to a part of the body is not adequate, toxins and disease can quickly get out of hand. Further symptoms of poor circulation include numbness, tingling, cramping and an inability to effectively warm the extremities of the body. Thankfully for our cold footed friends there is much one can do to improve circulation.

Causes

There are many possible causes of poor circulation ranging from the not so serious sluggish circulatory system to the more serious such as arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), varicose veins, thrombophlebitis, kidney disease, lung disease and nutritional deficiencies. Alcohol, caffeine and particularly tobacco smoke may also have a negative impact on circulation.

Nutritional Advice

Insuring you meet all of your nutritional daily requirements is a good first step when addressing any health issue. A healthy diet including many vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts & seeds as a foundation with supplementary animal protein (if you are so inclined) will help you do this. Eating a large variety of foods will not only give you the vitamins and minerals needed to maintain healthy circulation but will also ensure you get enough healthy soluble fiber which helps reduce the absorption of cholesterol into the blood.

Further to this there are specific nutrients and foods that have been linked with improving circulation. vitamin B, vitamin C & vitamin E have all been linked in studies to improving circulation. Vitamin B is beneficial to cell metabolism and can be found in leafy greens, dried beans, eggs, dairy & peanuts. Vitamin C helps repair and produce blood vessels. Papayas, broccoli bell peppers and berries are all wonderful sources of vitamin C. Vitamin E widens blood vessels and reduces blood clotting. Good sources of Vitamin E include almonds, hazel nuts, sunflower seeds, leafy greens, swiss chard & avocado.

Decreasing your intake of saturated fats and increasing your intake of polyunsaturated. Saturated fats have been shown to cause a buildup of plaque and cholesterol in the arteries, impeding circulation and arterial health. Omega-3s on the other hand have been shown to help thin the blood, improving overall circulation.

Herbs that help improve blood circulation in include ginger, cayenne, ginkgo, turmeric and garlic. Combined these herbs have been shown to boost circulation, cleanse the blood, reduce cholesterol, reduce inflammation and help prevent heart disease.

Recommended Herbs:

Dipsacus root, hops, valerian root, rosemary, blessed thistle, gentian, lovage, angelica, cayenne pepper, guaiacum, garlic, ginkgo biloba, ginger, yarrow, skullcap, caraway

Lifestyle

Regular exercise is one of the best things you can do to improve blood circulation. Exercise will not only oxygenate your body, it will also help move around vital nutrients and improve the elasticity of your blood vessels all of which will contribute to better circulation. If you have a sedentary job or lifestyle be sure to include regular breaks to move around and get blood moving.

Massage is another wonderful way to help stimulate both energy and blood flow. Not only the action of rubbing and needing in massage is beneficial to circulation and the health and well being of soft and hard tissue, the simple act of placing hands on a part of the body stimulates blood flow to that area.

Last but not least staying hydrated is important for maintaining good circulation. Water not only makes up a large percentage of our blood is also helps our body deliver nutrients to where they’re needed and flush away unwanted toxins.

 

Causes	Embrace	Avoid
Insufficient physical exercise	Vegetables, fruits, whole grains, nuts & seeds	Saturated fats
Sluggish circulatory system	Vitamin B	Immobility
Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)	Vitamin C	Smoking
Varicose veins	Vitamin E
Thrombophlebitis	Omega-3s
kidney disease, lung disease and nutritional deficiencies	ginger, cayenne, ginkgo, turmeric and garlic
	Regular exercise
	Massage
	Drink plenty of water