Bonus: Water! Blood is mostly water, so it is logical that staying hydrated with water can support healthy blood flow. Interestingly, experts suggest drinking warm water rather than cold, since icy water can cause veins to contract temporarily. Most adults should drink up to two liters of water daily.
Magnesium acts as a natural calcium channel blocker and has been suggested to modulate vasomotor tone and peripheral blood flow. Preclinical studies demonstrated a protective role of magnesium on vascular calcification,8, 9 which may in turn lead to reduced arterial stiffening.
Magnesium glycinate is a good option as it is well absorbed and bioavailable. This makes it ideal for those needing to correct a deficiency.
Ginger tea is also an excellent choice, since ginger has specifically been found to improve blood flow. It is considered a vasodilator, which means it widens blood vessels and thus enhances blood flow.
But circulation can get worse for a number of reasons, including conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and peripheral artery disease (PAD), or weight gain and age. When your circulation isn't working the way it should, some parts of your body may not get the nutrients they need.
Packed with potassium, bananas can help improve blood flow by lowering blood pressure. Too much sodium in your diet can cause high blood pressure, but potassium helps the kidneys remove extra sodium from your body, which then passes through your urine. This helps relax blood vessels and enable blood flow.
If you don't do something about your bad circulation, it won't get better on its own. In fact, it can get worse. But you can manage and improve your poor circulation with lifestyle changes, medication and surgery, if necessary.
Put ginger, garlic, lemon juice and vinegar in a saucepan and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes while stirring. Remove from heat and let cool completely. Add 2 cups of honey and mix well. Poor the mixture in a clean bottle and store in the refrigerator.
Fruits like oranges, grapefruits, and lemons contain antioxidants shown to decrease inflammation and prevent blood clots from forming, allowing blood to flow easily through the body. This popular seasonal fruit is super high in L-citrulline, which studies show combats hypertension.
The citrate contained in lemons can naturally improve circulation, particularly in the lower extremities. Studies have shown that ingesting lemon juice can have a positive effect on blood pressure, especially for anyone at risk for high blood pressure and high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol.
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition of the blood vessels that supply the legs and feet. It occurs due to narrowing of the arteries in the legs. This causes decreased blood flow, which can injure nerves and other tissues.
Cold hands and feet can be a result of iron deficiency anemia. People with anemia have poor blood circulation throughout their bodies because they don't have enough red blood cells to provide oxygen to their tissue.
The test: Gather a few pillows or cushions and use them to prop up both legs so they're at a 45-degree angle while you lie on your back. As you're resting, notice if your legs become paler or retain their original color throughout the span of a minute.
Powerful antioxidants in green tea — especially one called epigallocatechin gallate, or EGCG — can help prevent atherosclerosis and plaque buildup in the arteries.
Magnesium deficiency is diagnosed via a blood test and sometimes a urine test. Your doctor may order the blood test if you have symptoms such as weakness, irritability, abnormal heart rhythm, nausea and/or diarrhoea, or if you have abnormal calcium or potassium levels.
Magnesium is one of the most important minerals in the human body. Side effects of too much magnesium include stomach problems, weakness, mood problems, and heart and circulation problems.
Magnesium prevents calcium buildup in cholesterol plaque in arteries, which leads to clogged arteries. Magnesium levels are inversely associated with cardiovascular disease risk.