In the winter months, it’s not unusual to find yourself suffering from cold hands and feet. However, if your cold extremities just won’t let up, you may have poor circulation. Constantly frigid digits are a sign that proper nutrients, minerals, and oxygen are not getting transferred to the places they should be. This seemingly innocuous symptom may lead to serious health issues later on in life. It affects the entire body including the brain, heart, liver, kidneys and limbs.
Symptoms of poor circulation include numbness and tingling, cold hands and feet, fatigue, dizziness, hair loss, dry skin, headaches, muscle cramps, pain in the legs, and an irregular heartbeat. It can be caused by medical conditions like pregnancy, diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid disease, obesity, high blood pressure, nerve disorders, anemia, narrowed or blocked blood vessels, and food allergies.
Fear not! You have the power to improve the flow of blood throughout your body by using more of these three circulation-boosting foods. They can be found at your local grocer or specialty food store.
Foods to Boost Circulation:
MCT Oil
Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) contains a cool chemical that helps the body digest them better. Found in coconut and palm ingredients, they become fuel rather than stored fat. MCTs stimulate fat burning, thyroid function and energy production. The healthy fats contained in MCTs contain chain triglycerides that help relieve inflammation of the arteries. These benefits put together means that MCT oil warms up cold hands and feet.
Cayenne
The compound that gives cayenne its heat, capsaicin, also boosts circulation. Capsaicin also has metabolism boosting, pain reducing and anti-inflammatory benefits. It stimulates the proper flow of blood throughout the body and its organs. Cayenne strengthens arteries and capillaries, reducing symptoms of poor circulation. Note: Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid consuming cayenne pepper.
Turmeric
A well known anti-inflammatory and antioxidant, turmeric has been found to improve blood flow as well as improve digestion. Turmeric also alleviates symptoms of arthritis and can prevent certain cancers. Curcumin, the active ingredient, assists with circulation by preventing blood platelets from forming clots which reduce plaque buildup in the arteries.
These circulation boosters are amazing but they will work best when all other aspects of your life are wholesome. Remember to stay hydrated and avoid caffeine and soda. Avoid processed ingredients high in sugars and starches, and enjoy wholesome foods full of fiber, vegetables, fruits, and omega fatty acids from fish such as salmon. Whenever possible, keep your heart pumping and get moving. Winter doesn’t have to be uncomfortably numb.
As per Healthline.com
While incorporating any of these foods into your diet may improve circulation, other lifestyle changes may have a larger impact.
Here are some other lifestyle modifications that can optimize blood flow:
- Quit smoking: Smoking is a risk factor for many chronic diseases — such as cancer — and can negatively impact circulation (Trusted Source).
- Increase physical activity: Exercise
stimulates blood flow and helps improve vasodilation. Plus, regular exercise decreases
your risk of heart disease (Trusted Source). - Lose weight: Being overweight or obese negatively impacts blood flow and can lead to
dangerous complications, such as plaque buildup in your arteries - Follow a healthy diet: Instead of simply stocking up on particular foods, try switching to a diet rich in
healthy, whole foods — such as vegetables, healthy fats and fiber-rich
foods — which can improve circulatory health. - Stay hydrated: Proper hydration is critical to all aspects of health, including circulation. Dehydration
can damage endothelial cells and promote inflammation in your body,
restricting blood flow. - Reduce stress: Research proves that stress levels can significantly impact blood pressure. Manage your stress
through yoga, meditation, gardening or spending time in nature
