Seniors, Circulation and Salubrious Sustenance

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Foods That Can Help with Circulation and Why You Need It

Seniors who want to improve their circulation might wish to do so because they are in rehabilitation after a stroke event (CVA), heart attack or heart surgery. Alternatively, they may be in post-hospitalization following vascular surgery, or working on controlling their diabetes.

The circulation system is one of the prime systems in the body. It needs to be in optimal condition.

A substantial portion of seniors suffer from poor circulation, especially in the legs. This is often due to the normal aging of the circulation system.

If in earlier years, a person indulged in smoking, did not exercise and had a poor diet, it likely brought about poor circulation, at that time. Aging would exacerbate those negative effects.

 

The Friends of Good Circulation

These food types are an evidence-based list of foods types from Healthline . Studies has have shown that these foods can help with circulation. Here are some points from the detailed list:

• Cayenne Pepper – Lowers blood pressure, widens and relaxes veins and arteries, reduces plaque in arteries.
• Pomegranates – High in antioxidants, helpful for active seniors.
• Onions – Also high in antioxidants, acts against chronic inflammation.
• Cinnamon – Reduces blood pressure by vein dilation, known to be helpful for diabetes too.
• Garlic – Even in powder tablet format.
• Oily Fish – High in Omega-3, reduces high blood pressure and increases blood flow.
• Beets – In powder or as juice, known to improve circulation in senior adults .
• Turmeric – Increases blood flow, anti-inflammatory, used in ancient medicine.
• Green Leafy Vegetables – Blood pressure and blood flow improvements.
• Citrus Fruit – Antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, linked to reduced risk of stroke.
• Walnuts – Good for circulation as well as diabetes.
• Tomatoes – Said to reduce the effect of chemicals that constrict the veins.
• Berries – Good for blood pressure reduction, anti-clot characteristics.
• Ginger – Reduces high blood pressure.

Other foods that are considered to help with circulation:

• Dark Chocolate – Only those high in cocoa solids  are reputed to lower the risk of heart disease
• Nuts –  nuts eaten raw are high in vitamins and minerals. Studies show that circulation benefits from our eating nuts.
• Ginkgo biloba – extracted from the leaves of the Maidenhair tree. Helpful for blood disorders and cardiovascular functioning.

Obviously, a person must conscientiously keep to their personal diet plan, and be aware of any allergies they may have. If a person is not sure whether a food type is good for them, they should ask their doctor or dietitian. Certain medications interact with different foods, therefore anybody on medications should be wary when changing something in their diet.

 

Some Benefits of Improving Circulation

Improving circulation can result in the following healthy improvements in a senior:

• Reducing heart disease risk factors such as high blood pressure.
• Good blood flow to all parts of the body.
• Reduced chances of dizziness (orthostatic hypertension) occurring when moving from lying down to sitting up or standing.
• Heal better with better blood flow to place of injury or surgery.
• More oxygen reaches all parts of the body, the muscles and the brain.
• Better blood pressure levels.
• The heart doesn’t have to work so hard.
• Compensates for the lower volume of blood in a senior adult.

 

We see that these benefits are substantial and can improve a person’s quality and ability to function as an independent senior.

Seniors who want to improve their circulation should be aware that any improvements in diet should be accompanied by a diet that is low in saturated fat and cholesterol, weight control, cutting out smoking if applicable, regular exercise and making sure to do all regular check-ups for the heart.

 

 

Photo by Dan Gold on Unsplash