Which Foods Help Improve Circulation

1. Which Foods Help Improve Circulation?

2. Did you know that what you eat can impact blood flow? Certain foods can have a positive or negative effect on circulation. Maintaining healthy blood circulation is vital, since blood carries oxygen and other nutrients throughout your body. Poor circulation can occur when the blood supply to certain areas is reduced, usually due to an underlying health condition. Some potential causes include obesity, diabetes, blood clots, heart disease, and vein disease. • If you are experiencing poor circulation, you may have noticed some uncomfortable or painful symptoms. Most often, symptoms of poor circulation occur in the extremities (legs, feet, arms, and hands) and can include: • Cold feet or legs • Swollen legs, ankles, or feet • Muscle cramping • Numbness • Changes in skin color • Leg wounds or venous ulcers • Varicose veins • Spider veins

3. If you are suffering from any of the above issues, you may be wondering how to improve circulation. The good news is that eating certain foods that improve blood circulation in the legs may help. However, it is important to understand that dietary changes alone may not be enough. Consider looking at our vein treatment options as well. At USA Vein Clinics, our trusted vein specialists can quickly evaluate your vein health, suggest foods that improve circulation, and make personalized treatment recommendations. Along with suggesting helpful dietary changes, our experts offer minimally invasive, office-based vein treatment that can alleviate painful and uncomfortable symptoms.

5. 10 Best Foods That Increase Blood Flow Eating the following 10 types of foods that improve blood circulation in the legs and other extremities is a good first step towards better health. Before making any dietary changes, keep in mind that it is always good to talk to your doctor about your plans. You can also opt to discuss the benefits of eating foods that improve blood circulation in feet, legs, and other regions with an experienced vein specialist. They may recommend:

6. Foods Rich In Vitamin E • This fat-soluble nutrient can help dilate your blood vessels and increase blood flow. • You can find Vitamin E in delicious foods like: • Seeds and nuts • Dark green vegetables (spinach, kale) • Avocado • Butternut squash • Kiwi • Olives and olive oil • Some seafood varieties (trout, shrimp)

7. Foods With Omega-3 Fatty Acids • Did you know that Omega-3 can help stimulate blood flow and break down blood clots? You can find this essential nutrient in: • Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel) • Nuts and seeds (flaxseeds, walnuts) • Plant-based oils (canola, soybean, flaxseed) • Fortified foods (eggs, yogurt, juice, milk, soy beverages)

8. Citrus Fruits High In Vitamin C • These delicious fruits can help naturally thin the blood, strengthen capillary walls, and prevent plaque buildup in your blood vessels. Because they may interact with certain medications, be sure to check with your doctor before eating: • Oranges • Mandarins • Grapefruit • Kiwi • Guava • Lemon

9. Bulb Plants • Bulb plants are another type of nutrient-rich food that improves circulation in the feet and legs. They can reduce plaque buildup and help to cleanse the blood. Try cooking with these fragrant foods or eating them raw for maximum benefit: • Garlic • Onions • Radishes • Leeks • Shallots • Fennel

10. Nuts • Nuts are another powerhouse foods that improve blood flow by helping blood vessels dilate. They’re filled with Vitamin E, Omega-3, and L-Arginine, making them incredibly nutritious. Just remember to keep an eye on your portions to avoid excess weight gain. Enjoy: • Almonds • Peanuts • Cashews • Walnuts • Hazelnuts • Pine nuts

11. Lycopene-Rich Foods • This important antioxidant, known for giving some vegetables a vibrant red or pink hue, can help improve blood circulation. It can also reduce your risks for developing a number of other health conditions. Give the following foods a try: • Tomatoes • Watermelon • Pink Grapefruit • Guava • Papaya • Mangoes • Sweet red peppers

12. Ginkgo Biloba Although more research is needed, this popular, plant-based supplement is believed to help increase blood flow to the brain and improve memory. Before taking any supplements, you should always discuss their potential benefits and drawbacks with your doctor. Some supplements interact with foods and medications and can cause an adverse reaction.

13. Ginger • Who doesn’t love ginger? Along with preventing nausea, this is another food that improves circulation. You can: • Eat it raw • Drink it in a tea • Cook it with other foods • Cayenne Pepper • If you want to spice things up, you’re in luck. Cayenne pepper is believed to increase blood flow and strengthen blood vessels and arteries. Although you can always cook it, we recommend eating this pepper raw to improve circulation most effectively. Consider juicing it or adding it to smoothies. • Dark Chocolate • Good news! Everybody’s favorite indulgence may help improve numerous health conditions, including poor circulation. Dark chocolate is rich in polyphenol, an antioxidant that affects certain biochemicals. These biochemicals prompt the arteries and veins to dilate, increasing blood flow. • Although more research is needed, this popular, plant-based supplement is believed to help increase blood flow to the brain and improve memory. Before taking any supplements, you should always discuss their potential benefits and drawbacks with your doctor. Some supplements interact with foods and medications and can cause an adverse reaction.

14. How to Improve Circulation Along with eating foods that improve circulation, you should also consider other lifestyle factors that may be impacting your blood flow. For one, you should avoid certain foods and substances that are known to impact vein health negatively. Some of these include sodium, added sugars, unhealthy fats, caffeine, and alcohol. Smoking can also lead to poor circulation. Additionally, obesity is a significant risk factor for poor circulation and related health issues like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Losing excess weight and working with your doctor to manage underlying health conditions may be beneficial. Inactivity can also increase your risk for poor circulation. We recommend aiming for at least 30 minutes of physical activity a day, five days per week. Before starting a new exercise program, make sure to talk to your doctor.

15. Vein Disease and Circulation • Vein disease, also known as venous insufficiency, is another potential cause of poor circulation. Varicose and spider veins are signs of this common issue, affecting more than 30 million individuals nationwide. • Common symptoms of vein disease include: • Swelling in your legs and ankles • Cramps or achiness in the thigh or calf • Tired or heavy legs (common for vein disease in legs) • Restlessness, especially at night • Itchy, dry, or hardened skin on your legs • Wounds on your legs or ankles that take a long time to heal or don’t heal at all • Leg pain that goes away when you walk or elevate your legs • If you have vein disease or other risk factors for poor circulation, we encourage you to consult a vein specialist. They can suggest foods that increase blood flow, support efforts to lose weight and help you manage high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes. A vein specialist can also explain how vein disease treatment may improve your quality of life.

16. Improving Circulation with USA Vein Clinics Eating foods that improve blood circulation in the legs is a great start towards better circulatory health. As you now know, lifestyle improvements can significantly improve some underlying causes for reduced blood flow. They can also help keep poor circulation from developing in the first place. Unfortunately, sometimes eating foods that improve circulation isn’t enough to achieve desired health goals. If your poor circulation is caused by underlying vein disease, we want you to know that help is available. At USA Vein Clinics, we treat a variety of vein issues including varicose veins, spider veins, restless legs, and venous ulcers. Our vein specialists use minimally-invasive, outpatient treatment techniques that take less than an hour, from start to finish. All of our procedures are performed at over 100 state-of-the-art, nationwide treatment clinics. Most patients can leave immediately following treatment and return to their normal daily activities. To learn more about minimally invasive, office-based vein treatment, speak with a specialist at 888.768.3467or schedule an appointment online.

17. Since some blood clots in the legs feel like a pulled muscle or cramp, it is important to seek medical evaluation when symptoms are present. Prompt treatment can help prevent a blood clot from getting worse. It can also prevent a life-threatening condition called pulmonary embolism, which is when a piece of the clot breaks off and travels to the lung. • Symptoms of pulmonary embolism can include: • Sharp chest pain that may be worse when you breathe deeply • Rapid heart rate • Unexplained shortness of breath • Sudden cough, sometimes accompanied by bloody mucus • Pulmonary embolism is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms, call 911 or head to the nearest emergency room.

18. Lower Your Risk for Blood Clots at USA Vein Clinics To prevent blood clots from developing, we recommend consulting one of our leading vein specialists at USA Vein Clinics. Our doctors can evaluate your overall vein health and make personalized treatment recommendations. Our experts offer a range of minimally invasive, outpatient vein treatments for varicose veins, spider veins, restless legs, and other venous issues. Our treatments can alleviate painful and uncomfortable leg symptoms, reduce the risk of blood clots and venous ulcers, and improve your quality of life. To get started, connect with a specialist today at 888.768.3467 or schedule an appointment online.

19. THANK YOU