Improving Blood Circulation?

[Jm4362]

Hi,

I was wondering if any of you knew of a way (in addition to exercise) to increase and improve your circulation. I am starting to get varicose veins, like my mother, and I have always had dark undereye circles and low blood pressure. In addition, my hands and feet are perpetually cold. I'm not an old person, only 18, but I'm turning into my mother!

It's not a problem that has a strong negative effect on my life, but I would like to do all I can to improve it.

Also, I am not interested in pills or supplements, but instead more "natural" cures.

Thanks for your help!

~Jm4362

[maclinda]

A very natural thing to do is increase exercise, especially to the affected parts. In our clinic, we draw blood for labwork. Every so often, in comes someone with "no veins" (of course they have veins! it's just that it's about impossible to get that needle in one; we don't go after veins like the jugular--which would have been the next step in my ER days)

What I have them do is go home and squeeze a rubber ball several times a day. Often, at the next appointment the veins are larger.

Blood circulation depends on demand, you see. A sedentary person often does have poor blood flow.

Varicose veins are a problem with the veins emptying; the blood just sits in the veins and distends them. Crossing your legs is a big no-no (cuts off blood return). Increased use of your leg muscles can help since muscle contraction helps pump blood back to the heart. Support hose would be a really good idea to augment the compression.

About the cold hands and feet: belly breathing--making sure your abdomen rises and falls with each breath--can help because it stimulates your parasympathetic nervous system, thereby dilating blood vessels near the skin. Many of us tend to chest breath, where the upper part of the chest moves most. This stimulates the sympathetic nervous system (the fight or flight reaction). Many times people breathe this way unconsciously, due to stress.

[escapee]

Are you currently on any diet (eg : vegetarian/vegan ) ?

[Susie]

Yes, exercise-- especially strengthening your leg muscles (lower especially). And of course cardio for overall circualation.

Elevating the foot of your bed a few inches is supposed to be helpful for alleviating/preventing varicose veins.

Many women in my family have them and knowing that, I try to do what I can to prevent them-- I know you said you're not interested in supplements but horse chestnut has been proven to have a beneficial effect, it strengthens vein walls and capillaries. I take some every day, but I'm 33 years old-- at your age you probably don't need to take anything-- unless you really DO have varicose veins already-- are you sure what you're seeing aren't just regular healthy veins?

[Jm4362]

Escapee: no, at this time I am on an average American diet (I know I should change that, and I will, but right now I'm on a meal plan with limited vegetarian options).

Susie: Regular, healthy veins aren't all purple and spidery, are they? To be honest, they don't hurt and are only starting (on my inner thighs and near my ankles), but my mom's are much worse, so I'm concerned. I might consider horse chestnut. Is it very expensive?

[escapee]

Hi Jm, check this site out for varicose and spider veins
Varicose and Spider Vein Remedies - Health 911

It seems that a complete lifestyle change (better diet and more exercise ) is required to reverse the problem.

The very first thing you can do now is avoiding refined sugar .. This is the first thing i told ppl who complaint about the problem (bulging vein and poor blood circulation). Exercise is so much more effective if those refined food are taken off .

[Dharma]

You need to find a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). They are usually acupuncturists, but not all acupuncturists practice TCM.

Sounds like you need some herbs and food choices to tonify the blood.

[Jm4362]

Escapee, thanks for the site! It looks useful.

[shesaboutspirit]

Hi All,

I too have challenges with circulation and also sluggish metabolism. I'm going to begin using Cayenne and see how this goes. I've heard from several sources that it's one thing that makes everything else you do work better. It's supposed to heat up the heart, for those of us who follow Chinese Medicine...and improve many different systems.

The article that I'm going to try to link this to claims it's best to use only really good Cayenne, and add it to juice and drink it. This way the digestion that is so important for the heat, begins in the mouth. As opposed to taking a capsule and surprising your gut. Also, not just cooking Cayenne, but one that is rated at least 90 something or above in the heat content.

Cayenne pepper for improved blood flow

[escapee]

I just noticed that at the middle of the article, the author recommends bunch of human made Vitamin such as A, beta carotene and etc . Most of these isolated form of synthetic nutrients are known to stress the body and it's wiser to obtain them through real food. Vegetables, traditional herbs and fruits contain plenty of beta, antioxidants ,minerals and pytochemicals. where as egg and animal products ( preferably range fed ) contain plenty of Vitamin A , B12, D and etc.

Vitamin A bone fracture - Yahoo! Search Results

Vitamin E Controversy – Is Vitamin E Safe? Is There Danger in Taking Vitamin E?

The Hidden Dangers of Mega Vitamin C


There is less chance that you would overdose in specific nutrient with real food .

[Bruce Achterberg]

Originally Posted by shesaboutspirit

Hi All,

I too have challenges with circulation and also sluggish metabolism. I'm going to begin using Cayenne and see how this goes. I've heard from several sources that it's one thing that makes everything else you do work better. It's supposed to heat up the heart, for those of us who follow Chinese Medicine...and improve many different systems.

The article that I'm going to try to link this to claims it's best to use only really good Cayenne, and add it to juice and drink it. This way the digestion that is so important for the heat, begins in the mouth. As opposed to taking a capsule and surprising your gut. Also, not just cooking Cayenne, but one that is rated at least 90 something or above in the heat content.

Cayenne pepper for improved blood flow

I'm by no means an expert here, but I heard Cayenne pepper acts as a coagulant (my source may or may not be correct), so I'm not sure how well it would work to increase blood flow.

I did a quick Google search and came up with this:

When you get a nosebleed, take some cayenne pepper right away. Red pepper, or chile pepper, or tabasco sauce will do. Take about a teaspoonful. Your nosebleed should stop within 5 minutes or less. Take cayenne pepper every day for the next few days or so, and try to eat foods spiced with cayenne pepper on a more regular basis. Cayenne pepper acts to stop all kinds of bleeding very quickly, you can even pour it directly onto a wound in an emergency. It helps keep vitamin C in the body longer. Vitamin C helps keep blood vessels strong. If you stop taking large dosages of vitamin C, you can get rebound scurvy, which can make bleeding worse. Cayenne pepper prevents this from happening. Green Vegetables are a source of vitamin K, which is also needed in trace amounts by the body to stop bleeding. Putting vaseline in the nose can help prevent nosebleeds from recurring during that time when the nose needs to heal after you have recently had a nosebleed. Things to avoid, which can cause excessive bleeding: asperine, alcohol, both of which thin the blood.

Source: Nosebleed Remedies

So I'm not saying, "Cayenne pepper is bad, stay away!", because I honestly don't know myself. What I am saying is, "Make sure you do your research".

[Jon]

I had the same problem. I too tried the magic bullet approach, unsuccessfully.

The solution was to adopt a really healthy lifestyle:
- swimming twice a week (40-50 minutes a session, really does wonders for your circulation and it lasts!)
- strength training twice a week (45 minutes)
- basic stretching daily (5 minutes at most)
- walk in nature twice a week
- sauna or massage once a week

I totally ignore industrially processed food, food additives, candy, sodas and similar junk. No exceptions and no cravings. Only supplement I take are liquid cod liver oil (for omega-3 and vitamin d in winter months), and a green superfood powder with probiotics (Green Vibrance or dr. Ben Kim's greens). Going to bed before midnight (really important).

That's as natural as it gets, and I don't think you'll be able to skip the exercise part. The good news is that even if it seems intimidating at first, you can absolutely learn to enjoy it.

It took me 3+ years to become accustomed to this routine. Granted, it costs time and money, but I'm more than willing to pay the price. Not only did my cold feet problem disappear, so did acne, lethargy and mental fogginess.

Good luck, and go for it.

[shesaboutspirit]

Originally Posted by escapee

I just noticed that at the middle of the article, the author recommends bunch of human made Vitamin such as A, beta carotene and etc . Most of these isolated form of synthetic nutrients are known to stress the body and it's wiser to obtain them through real food. Vegetables, traditional herbs and fruits contain plenty of beta, antioxidants ,minerals and pytochemicals. where as egg and animal products ( preferably range fed ) contain plenty of Vitamin A , B12, D and etc.

Vitamin A bone fracture - Yahoo! Search Results

Vitamin E Controversy – Is Vitamin E Safe? Is There Danger in Taking Vitamin E?

The Hidden Dangers of Mega Vitamin C


There is less chance that you would overdose in specific nutrient with real food .

If the article you are referring to is the Cayenne one, you might reread it before dissecting it. He's says "the constituents of cayenne are vit E, vit C, and cartenoids" Meaning these are already a part of the Cayenne, and not "a bunch of human made vitamins".

Also, I don't see adding a natural remedy such as Cayenne as a "magic bullet". It would need to be a part of a holistic and healthy lifestyle or it would be worthless.

I'm going to look more into the coagulant thing today. Not sure, but Tabasco may be a long way from the 90,000 range of heat he's referring to. I don't know. Like Bruce says, do your research.

Pam

[escapee]

No i wasnt referring to Cayenne. I was referring to the link that i posted early on . Sorry for the confusion

Varicose and Spider Vein Remedies - Health 911

[shesaboutspirit]

Originally Posted by escapee

No i wasnt referring to Cayenne. I was referring to the link that i posted early on . Sorry for the confusion

Varicose and Spider Vein Remedies - Health 911

Thanks for clarifying that escapee, and I'm sorry for pouncing on you. I was feeling like my idea wasn't being given a chance. I can be too sensitive...often. Working on that...amongst other things

I am trying the Cayenne and also Apple Cider Vinegar for a bit to see if this addition improves not only my circulation, but general energy levels as well.

Take care all,

Pam