If you notice numbness and tingling in your feet and hands, cold extremities or muscle cramps, you may have poor circulation.
There blood circulation is a vital process that allows blood to transport oxygen and nutrients to organs and tissues. And good circulation is essential for general health, but also to reduce the risk of thrombosisthat is to say the obstruction of a vein by a blood clot.
Thrombosis: pay attention to your cholesterol level
One of the risk factors for thrombosis is high cholesterol levels. Indeed, an excess of LDL cholesterol, the “bad” cholesterol, can accumulate on the walls of the arteries, forming atherosclerotic plaques. These plaques can reduce blood flow and increase the risk of blood clots, solid masses that form when blood clots. THE blood clots can block arteries, which can lead to serious complicationssuch as a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism.
It is therefore important to maintain healthy LDL cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of blood clots and serious complications. If you have high cholesterol, your doctor may prescribe medication to help lower it. But did you know that one of the simplest ways to improve your blood circulation is to pay attention to your diet?
Why is diet important for poor blood circulation?
“Diet influences cholesterol levels by more than 80%.but indirectly”, explains nutritionist Raphaël Gruman. “Indeed, diet provides 1/3 of blood cholesterol and 2/3 is linked to endogenous production. However, poor food hygiene coupled with excess weight favors this endogenous production,” he adds. And “in presence of associated risk factors such as alcohol or tobacco consumption or a sedentary lifestyle, this cholesterol will oxidize and cause deposition of atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries causing narrowing and increasing cardiovascular risk“, warns the nutritionist.
Fortunately, certain foods and their nutrients can help keep blood vessels healthy, thin the blood, and regulate cholesterol levels. Among these foods, we findgarlicTHE gingerTHE Cayenne pepperTHE legumesTHE beetsTHE citrusL’pineapple And fatty fish.
Conversely, certain foods can harm blood circulation. It is important to avoid consuming ultra-processed foods. These are rich in fast sugars, saturated fats and trans fats. They can increase cholesterol levels and therefore the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Finally, in addition to choosing the right foods, it is important to follow other tips to improve blood circulation: exercise regularly, not smoke, and maintain a healthy weight.
Do not hesitate to talk to your doctor if your symptoms persist. Likewise, it is important to consult your doctor before changing your dietespecially if you are taking medications or have a medical history.
