Without oxygen, the cells would fail in a short time and with it the entire human body, since this is the vital compound for people and it is distributed throughout the body through blood circulation.
Thus it is important to protect each of the parts that make it up, from the heart, the blood vessels, to the legs (which act as a second blood pump in the body). There are a series of recommendations indicated by doctors to keep this system working properly.
Some of these are to perform physical activity on a regular basis, so that the body is active and the work of the different parts of the organism is stimulated. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention indicate that it is suggested to do at least half an hour of physical activity a day, to complete an average of 150 minutes a week.
It can also be supported by food, with the ingredients included in the meals determining to control other risk factors that alter the rhythm of the circulatory system, such as the accumulation of fat. According to the portal Better with Health, Rosemary is one of the aromatic plants that can be used to keep away substances that are harmful to the body, such as cholesterol, which excessively clogs the arteries and hinders blood flow.
On the other hand, from the Traditional Herbal Medicines guide, shared by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Chile, they indicate that there are other effects that are attributed to rosemary, such as its antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, digestive, and antiseptic action.
One way to take advantage of these qualities is by taking the plant as the basis for a natural infusion, which can be consumed to relieve stomach ailments, such as colic and digestive problems. Its preparation is very easy, just add a teaspoon of rosemary to a cup of hot water, then wait for the plant to infuse the liquid.
Far from being the only benefits conferred on it, they point out from the portal Nutrition and Pharmacy, It is also associated with the relief of pain in the body, thanks to its nutritional characteristics.. As they explain, it can combat inflammation in the joints, a characteristic symptom of conditions such as arthritis. For this purpose, rosemary-based products can be used to apply topically.
Any superficial vein can become a twisted and enlarged vein (varicose or varicose vein). Those of the legs are usually the most affected by the pressure generated by standing. “For many people, varicose veins and spider veins, a common mild variation of varicose veins, are simply a cosmetic problem. For other people, varicose veins can cause pain and discomfort. Sometimes varicose veins cause more serious problems,” he says. Mayo Clinic, non-profit entity dedicated to clinical practice, education and research.
Symptoms that can warn of this condition include the following:
- One or more bulging veins with a blue color
- leg swelling
- Feeling of heaviness in the legs and feet
- leg pain
- Itching around a vein or veins.
- Night cramps.
Mayo Clinic points out some recommendations to prevent varicose veins from getting worse:
- Doing physical activity.
- Lose weight.
- Elevate legs when resting.
- Do not cross your legs when sitting.
- Wear loose clothing.
- Avoid standing for a long time.
The non-profit organization recommends the following exercises:
- Lie face up. Move your legs in circles as if you were pedaling. Extend one leg up and bend the other. Intercalate the exercise with each leg.
- Stand on a step and place your feet on the edge, on the ball of your foot. Come up to your toes and then drop your heels under the step. While doing this exercise, stretch your calves. Repeat this stretch 20 to 40 times.
- Take a 30-minute walk five days a week. They recommend walking to the workplace.
- Do gentle swimming. Swim for 30 minutes a day, five times a week, but it’s important to remember that any time spent being physically active is helpful.
Foods to avoid when there is poor circulation
The consumption of a balanced and healthy diet is key for the blood to flow normally through this system, since there are products that interfere negatively in this process and therefore the ideal is to avoid them or minimize their intake. Here are some of them.
For this reason, the recommendation is to avoid all those foods that provide a large amount of sodium. This list includes sausages, sauces, broths and commercial dressings. You also have to be prudent with canned products such as tuna and preserves, among others.
Red or processed meats
Excessive intake of red meat is considered a risk factor for the development of heart disease and blood circulation problems. But not all affect equally. The degree of processing that the meat has is one of the key factors in determining it.
“In an analysis of scientific studies, it was concluded that there is a strong relationship between the consumption of processed red meat with cardiovascular health. On the other hand, the link is almost nil with the one that is unprocessed ”, specifies the specialist.
The difference between the two types of meat can be explained by the higher presence of sodium and other additives in the processed meat products. The investigation mentions sausages, salami and other cold cuts.
This type of fatty acids has already been regulated in some countries, as they are frequently used by the food industry and can cause high cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, according to information from the Your Doctor portal. The excess of these fats generates poor circulation and oxygenation. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid industrialized foods such as cookies, vegetable margarines and fast foods.
Specialists say that these substances can impair circulation due to their high calorie content, which increases the risk of developing diabetes, obesity, or being overweight, which affect cardiovascular health. Frequent consumption of this type of sugar affects the walls of both blood vessels and arteries.
