Blood circulation is one of the basic activities happening inside the body of an individual yet people tend to overlook its important role in keeping the body healthy. With the support of the circulatory system, blood is pumped all over the body through a complex network of blood vessels. As it goes around, the blood carries and delivers important substances such as oxygen, hormone, nutrients and it also transports waste chemicals for disposal.
Similar with motor traffic, what you want is a smooth and unhindered blood flow. When the circulation is poor and obstructed, the blood’s delivery of the said substances gets delayed or prevented. When this happens, the body may develop a wide range of health problems, many of which can be fatal over time. Furthermore, poor blood circulation may also serve as an indication of other diseases.
As we celebrate Blood Diseases Month by virtue of the Proclamation No. 1833 declared by the former President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in 2009, to improve blood circulation, here are some things to do and pay attention to:
- Keep a healthy diet. Eat more foods that are rich in fiber like fruits and vegetables. This can help with removing dietary fat from your system. At the same time, you also have to cut back on fatty, salty, and sugary foods. Doing this can help achieve good consistency of the blood and that can allow it to flow better and easier. Nutrients for healthy blood includes Iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin B6 or pyridoxine, Vitamin B-9 or folic acid and Vitamin B12.
- Keep an active lifestyle. The more you move, the more your blood circulation improves. Even simple activities like running, cleaning, and riding bicycles can get your blood flowing healthily.
- Stay away from unhealthy vices. Smoking can harden the arteries and increase cholesterol. This keeps the blood from flowing properly. As for alcohol, too much intake can have a negative effect on the heart. If the heart is not working properly, other organs may suffer from lack of oxygen or nutrients.
- Manage your stress. Too much stress can cause knots to form in the muscles usually around the shoulder and neck areas which can restrict blood flow to the heart and other major organs.
Changing your lifestyle especially your diet could help keep your blood on track and healthy.
References:
https://niveinclinic.com/why-good-blood-circulation-is-vital-to-your-health/
http://gccexchange.com/blog/what-is-blood-circulation-and-why-its-so-important/
