The complex network of blood vessels and organs dubbed the circulatory (or the cardiovascular) system serves many purposes, the main among them being to deliver oxygen and nutrients to every part of your body. This process also helps every last cell in your body in the production of energy, since you need proper nutrition to function both physically and mentally.

Much like the circulatory process helps with distributing nutrients, it’s also affected by the elements it carries. The health-boosting nutrients, such as micro and macronutrients are helpful in maintaining a healthy and strong circulatory system. Harmful foods, on the other hand, can have a detrimental effect on your blood flow. Here’s how you can make smarter choices and improve the health of your circulatory system!

Helping your body through hydration

The fact that our bodies are primarily made of water is a solid hint that we need plenty of it to survive, and so does your circulatory system. Hydrating fluids such as water, herbal teas, milks of all sorts, and similarly healthy beverages are essential for your circulation. This is how hydration helps:

• Supports healthy blood pressure.
• Cleanses your body from toxins.
• Ensures healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
• Enables proper vessel dilation.
• Keeps your joints safe.
• Provides your body with electrolytes, which are essential for energy production.

Omega-3 fatty acids to the rescue

Healthy fats play a vital role in how your blood circulates in your body as well as your body’s capacity to make the most of essential nutrients. In this case, omega-3 fatty acids are there to help by boosting nitric oxide production, which is responsible for proper blood vessel dilation.

It also helps prevent unhealthy blood clotting in your circulatory system. In addition to fatty fish such as salmon and mackerel, ProOmega 2000 is an excellent source of these fatty acids. It will help support your circulation and overall heart health.

Spice it up

In addition to different ways of preparing food that help preserve nutrients, you should also consider adding various spices to your meals! Herbs and spices might seem like an insignificant addition from the perspective of pure amount, but this is yet another example of how a little can go a long way in your diet.

• Ginger
• Turmeric
• Garlic
• Cayenne pepper

These are some of the most delicious vasodilators that help relax your blood vessels and support healthy circulation due to their nutrient content.

Beet up your circulation

All healthy foods contribute to your circulation in one way or another. But beet is, forgive us the pun, the “unbeeten” leader in promoting healthy blood flow and proper blood vessel dilation. Beet is rich in nitrates, which transform to nitric oxide once they’re in your blood, and nitic oxide helps relax and widen your blood vessels.

As a result, beet directly contributes to nutrient distribution in your body, since it helps keep your circulation efficient and your blood vessels resilient. Other foods packed with nitrites include spinach, lettuce, and celery.

Quit smoking

While this might not technically constitute a nutrition tip, it’s surely one of the smartest health moves you can make in favor of your circulatory wellbeing. Smoking is one of the top risk factors in all cardiovascular diseases, and as such, it can impede your body’s ability to distribute oxygen and nutrients for years until it rears its ugly impact.

Inhaling all the smoke and chemicals embedded in cigarettes even for a short period of time is harmful for your health. By quitting, you’ll also work on preventing heart attacks, strokes, and a slew of other conditions and events that can put your life at risk.

The key to all the listed tips is not so much in their own potency, but in your own consistency. If you stick to these and similarly healthy nutrition and lifestyle ideas, you’ll help your cardiovascular system stay in great shape for years to come. For additional guidance and support, schedule an appointment with our functional medicine experts, and take your nutrition and health to the next level.