It amazes me how many people with cold hands and feet think it's something they have to put up with. The old cure of a "hot toddy," helps but it isn't the only way to resolve this issue whereby circulation, cardiac function, and, consequently, quality of life is all improved.
Stay Lean, Stay Warm
Firstly, it's important to stay at a healthy weight because being overweight can make it harder for blood to flow through your legs.
Eat Your Way to Warmth
The next thing on the list is to eat a balanced diet, which means eating a lot of fruits and veggies, especially leafy greens.
Blueberries are a great way to strengthen blood vessels and eating foods like salmon, flaxseeds, chia seeds, almonds, and walnuts that are high in omega-3 fatty acids can help your heart and blood flow also.
Salt: A Cold Culprit
It is especially important to limit salt intake because too much of it can make you retain water which in turn affects your circulation.
Herbal Heroes
Another way to deal with poor circulation is to include some herbs in your daily life. Cayenne pepper is known for having a spicy taste, but it contains capsaicin, a chemical that makes blood vessels wider, thus moving more blood around the body. In the same way, garlic, which is used in a lot of different types of food, has chemicals that help control blood pressure and widen blood vessels, thus improving circulation. Ginger is known for reducing inflammation, and it also widens blood vessels, which makes blood flow and oxygenation better. Other kitchen spices include turmeric, as its active compound, curcumin, has anti-inflammatory properties that can support circulation.
The Sweet Side of Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate with a high cocoa content (70% or more) contains flavonoids that may also improve circulation, so this is the perfect excuse to purchase a really good easter egg.
Green Tea for Heart Health
Also on the list is green tea as it contains catechins. These support circulation and heart health in general. If you find green tea on its own to be a bit tasteless add a leaf of mint to the brew. Always remember to let the boiling water cool for about 10 mins before adding to the herbs.
Supplemental Support
Supplements made from plants like hawthorn and ginkgo biloba also help the blood flow. Ginkgo biloba extract, which comes from the ginkgo tree's leaves, has been shown to improve blood flow to the limbs and the rest of the body. Hawthorn is known for being good for the heart. It helps the heart work better and improves blood flow to the rest of the body, which is good for general heart health. You can also use yarrow, which is another plant that can help with rheumatism too.
Vitamin E and B Vitamins: Liquid Gold
Cooking with hazelnut oil, sunflower oil, wheat germ oil, and other nut oils is an easy way to get vitamin E into your diet and if recent blood results show a lack of B vitamins it is wise to take a supplement for a while.
Nettle: An Iron Booster
Another traditional dish in May is having three meals of nettles and this of course supplements iron stores in the body which have been depleted after the long winter.
Hydration and Exercise: The Dynamic Duo
Finally, drink water. Keeping well hydrated is essential for circulation and needless to say, exercise is needed also. Aerobic workouts such as walking, swimming, and cycling increase blood flow, strengthen the heart, and improve overall cardiovascular function. To fully benefit from increased circulation, aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate activity most days of the week.
In summary, introducing a regime of diet, herbal teas, supplements, and exercise should be able to resolve the issue of cold hands and feet. If no improvement, further investigations are warranted.
To learn more about how to fight the flu with home remedies and wellness tips, read this article.
