Tips for a healthy circulatory system
The circulatory system is a complex network of arteries, veins and capillaries. This blood circulatory system transports oxygen and nutrients to all cells in the body, including heart. To maintain a healthy cardiovascular system, it is vital we adopt the following healthy lifestyles:
Regular Exercise
Regular exercise, such as walking or jogging, is one of the most efficient ways to improve circulatory health. Aim for a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise at least 5 days a week helps keep the blood circulating round the body and the heart pumping. Exercise also helps keep arteries young.
Stress Relief
Chronic stress reduces normal blood circulation and increases the risk of developing blood clots. Besides, stress also increases blood pressure, which puts additional burden on the blood vessel walls, making them stiffer. Hence, reducing daily stress is vital to keep blood vessels clear and elastic.
Restful Sleep
Having a good night’s sleep, which is an uninterrupted 7 to 8 hours of sleep per night is crucial for maintaining healthy blood vessels. Researchers found that lack of sleep increases the risk of plaque build-up inside the arteries, which affects blood circulation and can increase a person’s risk of experiencing a stroke or heart attack.
Healthy Diet
Eating a wide variety of foods, including fruits, vegetables and fish are beneficial to vascular health. Consume 2 servings of fish per week, particularly fatty fish helps reduce risk of blood clots and inflammation, improve elasticity of blood vessels, lower triglycerides and blood pressure. Besides, colorful fruits and vegetables are loaded with antioxidants, which helps neutralize free radicals, thereby protecting the blood vessels from damage.
Less Sugar and Sodium
High sugar intake could “caramelise” elastic fibers in blood vessels, causing them to lose elasticity. This in turn reduces blood vessel function and lowers blood flow in the body. Diabetes could increase the risk of plaque build-up in the arteries, which leads to harmful blood clots. High salt consumption may damage blood vessels and increase arterial stiffness, which may increase the risk of developing high blood pressure.
Proper Hydration
Dehydration occurs when the body does not have enough water. This condition can cause blood vessels to narrow and blood to thicken, raising the risk for blood clots and deep vein thrombosis (DVT). To prevent dehydration, drink eight 8-ounce glasses of water, which equals about 2 litres water a day.
Quit alcohol
Drinking too much alcohol increases the risk of blood clots. This is because excessive alcohol intake increases platelets in the blood, which causes them more likely to clot randomly. Furthermore, alcohol also activates platelets, which means they are more likely to begin forming clots. Hence, stop drinking excessive alcohol for optimal cardiovascular health.
Quit Smoking
Smoking can cause platelets to stick together and damage the lining of blood vessels. Both will increase the risk of harmful clot formation. Smoking also increases the risk of arterial stiffening.
Dietary Supplements
Nattokinase NSK-SD® and Elastin F are two key nutrients that are vital for healthy blood vessels. Nattokinase helps unclog blood vessels by dissolving harmful blood clots, normalizing blood viscosity and minimizing risk of future clot formation. Extracted from the bonito fish, Elastin F increases elasticity and extensibility of blood vessels, reducing vascular aging and resistance of arteries to blood flow.
Healthy Weight
Obesity increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis, as well as pulmonary embolism, which is a clot in blood vessels of the lungs that has moved from elsewhere in the body via the bloodstream. Obesity is a risk factor for arterial stiffness and hypertension.
The tips above can help prevent additional clog from forming. They do not help reduce or remove existing plaques and blood clots. They do not help restore elasticity of blood vessels. Nonetheless, taking certain proprietary nutrients can help you to achieve these goals.