How to Treat Poor Blood Circulation
- 1). Exercise to strengthen your circulatory system and stimulate blood flow in your extremities. If your health allows, do at least 30 minutes of aerobic exercise daily. This could be running, brisk walking, dancing, swimming or working out on a treadmill, stationary bike, elliptical machine or other machine that gets your heart pumping. If you sit or stand for long periods, be active for a few minutes every hour to get blood to your feet and hands. You might pump your arms, peddle your legs, run in place or do some jumping jacks.
- 2). Massage your arms, hands, legs and feet briskly to increase blood flow. Every other day, use your hands to rub down each limb until it feels comfortably warm. If you have sensitive skin, apply massage oil or baby power first. For a greater effect, take a warm bath or soak your hands and feet in warm water, dry off completely and then massage.
- 3). Cut back on foods that can slow your circulation. Excess salt and sugar damage the blood vessels, leading to decreased blood flow. Excess saturated fat and trans fat can clog veins and arteries and impede circulation. To treat poor blood circulation, avoid canned foods, which are typically high in salt, and deep-fried foods, which often contain trans fats.
- 4). Try foods and herbs that boost your blood flow. Cayenne pepper, ginger, garlic and turmeric stimulate the heart, keep arteries clear by preventing the build-up of plaque and prevent blood clots. Add garlic or cayenne to soups and sauces, use turmeric in rice or pasta dishes and try ginger in tea or baked goods. Fish and nuts, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, and red vegetables and fruits, which contain lycopene, also prevent the build-up of arterial plaque.
- 5). Consider nutritional supplements that improve circulatory health. Vitamins E, C and B-complex, as well as the minerals calcium and magnesium, are all important for heart and circulatory health. If you suspect your diet is low in these nutrients, consider a daily multivitamin. Among the herbal supplements to consider are hawthorn berries and ginkgo biloba, both of which dilate the blood vessels.