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Blood is an extraordinarily versatile vehicle for the body’s vital functions. It nourishes all of the cells with oxygen and nutrients while carrying away carbon dioxide and other wastes. Its cells help detect pathogens and fight infection. In the event of tissue damage, the blood helps set repair mechanisms in motion.
Because the blood is in charge of so many tasks, anything that interferes with its ability to flow freely through the circulatory system can upset the body’s delicate balance.
Unfortunately, such problems are very prevalent.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one-third of adults in the U.S. have high blood pressure, which increases the risk of death from heart attack and stroke. Furthermore, one-sixth of adults have abnormally high levels of cholesterol, which doubles the risk of heart disease and causes the blood vessels to become narrow.
There are several natural approaches that people may take in order to improve circulation. These may include an increase in physical activity and adjustments to one’s diet. While there are several vitamins and minerals that can promote good blood flow, scientists are continuing to study a wide array of natural compounds in order to diversify the supplements that are available to health-conscious consumers.
Tackle Cholesterol and Clotting Factors With Soy
For decades, there has been a growing interest in the health benefits of soy. Given this, it’s no surprise that there is also a good deal of attention surrounding natto, which is a fermented form of this food.
Nattokinase, an extract from soybeans fermented with the bacterium Bacillus subtilis natto, is made up of plasmin, isoflavones, carbohydrates, fat, minerals and vitamin K, according to a study published in Lipid Therapy. Past studies conducted in rodents indicated that nattokinase may have a positive effect on lipid metabolism.
In order to investigate whether the same was true in humans, a team of scientists conducted a study in which 30 individuals, all of whom were diagnosed with high cholesterol, consumed a low cholesterol diet. Meanwhile, they received either nattokinase supplements or placebo twice a day for eight weeks.
Results showed that by the end of the study period, total serum cholesterol levels were lower among subjects who took the nattokinase supplements, compared to those who received placebos.
Another study, published in Nutrition Research, detailed an open-label experiment in which 45 subjects consumed nattokinase capsules every day for two months, while the scientists measured levels of several factors related to clotting in the trial participants’ blood.
Ultimately, the researchers found that nattokinase decreased levels of fibrinogen and other clotting factors, suggesting that the soy extract could help maintain optimum cardiovascular health.
Sowing the Seeds of Good Circulation
Health-conscious consumers may be aware of the potentially beneficial compounds contained within grapes, particularly resveratrol, which has been linked to heart health. However, powerful substances can also be found within the grape seed itself.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC), grape seed extract contains vitamin E, flavonoids, linoleic acid and other healthy compounds.
One study published in Clinical Science noted that the polyphenols of grapes, which have been linked to improvements in blood pressure, are often found in the skin and pulp of the fruit. However, more than 70 percent of the polyphenols are actually concentrated within the grape seeds.
Scientists from the University of California, Davis, conducted an experiment with grape seed extract in order to understand the effects that it had on blood pressure. Using rabbits, the researchers demonstrated that grape seed extract set off a specific chain reaction within the cells of the blood vessels that caused them to relax, therefore improving the blood pressure.
There is also early research to suggest that grape seed extract can reduce one’s levels of LDL, or bad, cholesterol, according to the UMMC.
A Brew for Healthy Blood Flow
Tea is the most highly consumed beverage in the world, second only to water. One reason for tea’s enduring popularity during the past two millenia is its potential health effects.
The three main types of beverage that can be brewed from the plant Camellia sinensis are green tea, oolong tea and black tea. The manufacturing process, including drying and fermentation, is what determines the kind of drink produced as the end result, as well as the nutrient content.
Most of tea’s health benefits are tied to the presence of antioxidants. These compounds help neutralize free radicals, which are pollutants that cause damage to the integrity of cells and DNA, potentially leading to cancer and other diseases. Free radicals may come from environmental pollution, ultraviolet radiation, smoking or unhealthy food. Furthermore, the body produces its own free radicals as a byproduct of ordinary metabolism.
The most prominent antioxidants in green tea are catechins, which include epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). In the roughly three decades that scientists have been studying healthy compounds in green tea, EGCG has been the centerpiece of research projects on Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, diabetes, cancer and microbial infections, according to a review published in Life Sciences.
When it comes to cardiovascular disease, several studies suggest that the antioxidants in green tea may have positive effects on the tissues that make up the body’s blood vessels, therefore improving blood pressure, scientists from Spain wrote in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.
Furthermore, green tea has been tied to optimal levels of cholesterol. In order to find out how the beverage exerts this effect, one team of researchers from Australia and the U.K. conducted an experiment using rabbit models of high cholesterol. This study showed that the antioxidants of green tea did not affect the intestine’s ability to absorb cholesterol, but they may have had an impact on the liver’s ability to make the substance, as published in Atherosclerosis.
One potential obstacle to consuming adequate levels of antioxidants from green tea is the beverage’s caffeine content, which may have negative side effects. However, the manufacturing of certain supplements that contain green tea extracts may help minimize this risk.
Amazing Alpha Lipoic Acid
In the interest of understanding the wide range of antioxidants that can benefit the cardiovascular system, a great deal of research has focused on alpha lipoic acid (ALA).
This compound occurs naturally in organ meats, such as hearts, livers and kidneys, according to a review published in the Journal of Nutrition. Smaller amounts of ALA can be found in vegetarian sources like spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, garden peas, Brussels sprouts and rice.
One reason why scientists are so excited about ALA is that this antioxidant helps the body recycle and use other antioxidants, such as vitamins C and E, more efficiently. Ultimately, this process can protect LDL cholesterol from oxidation. Therefore, ALA potentially prevents the buildup of harmful deposits on the walls of the arteries, keeping the blood vessels clear for optimal circulation.
Other studies suggest that ALA could help the body produce certain substances that help keep the blood vessels relaxed. Therefore, this antioxidant may improve blood pressure, as published in Biochimica et Biophysica Acta.
Don’t Forget Healthy Lifestyles
When it comes to cholesterol, patients should curb their consumption of foods that contain high amounts of saturated fat, which can elevate levels of LDL. These include dairy products, chocolate, baked goods, products that have been deep-fried and certain meats. Foods that contain trans fats also have the same effect on LDL.
Conversely, you can improve your blood pressure by eating a diet that is low in both sodium and alcohol. It also helps for people to learn positive approaches to managing stress, which is a variable that increases the risk of hypertension.
Physical activity can support efforts to optimize both cholesterol and blood pressure levels. Adults should engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity, or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity, aerobic exercise every week. For best results, these activities should be spread throughout the week in increments of at least 10 minutes.
Exercise is especially important for adults aged 65 and older because regular physical activity can help keep them mobile and independent. If possible, senior citizens should follow the same guidelines for physical activity that apply to younger adults. A healthcare provider can help you figure out what is safe and effective.
Source: New Supplements For Circulation
