Does Food Affect Circulatory Problems?

Along with your exercise regimen, your diet is a major factor in the normal circulation of blood to organs and all the cells of your body. In order to make blood cells, your body needs protein, iron, vitamin B and other nutrients. To keep blood vessels clear of plaque and clots, you need to eat less saturated fat and cholesterol. Balancing your sodium and potassium intakes promotes healthy blood pressure, and controlling your caloric intake and your weight further benefits your circulatory system to prevent cardiovascular diseases.

Low Blood Count

A healthy level of red blood cells is fundamental to your cardiovascular and general health. If you have circulatory symptoms of anemia, such as cold hands and feet or fatigue, eating more foods that contain protein, iron, copper and vitamins B and C will provide the building blocks for blood cell formation and the nutrients that facilitate the process. Foods such as whole grains, meats, fish and beans contain blood-building elements, while fruits such as oranges and kiwis offer vitamin C to aid in dietary iron absorption.

High Blood Pressure

An overall dietary balance that is higher in sodium than potassium adversely affects your blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, consuming foods that together keep your sodium intake below 1,500 mg a day and your potassium intake at 4,700 mg or more will help you control your blood pressure. Eat fewer fast foods and canned foods, processed meats and frozen dinners, and more fresh or unsalted fruits, vegetables, fish, meats and low-fat dairy products to strike the right sodium-potassium balance. Persisting in a high-salt, low-potassium diet increases your risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Arterial Blockage

Foods that are high in saturated fat or cholesterol contribute to high blood cholesterol and circulatory problems in the large arteries. Keep the calories that you consume from saturated fat to 10 percent of your total caloric intake and dietary cholesterol totals to 300 mg per day. Two ways to do so are to choose fish and beans over meat and to eat more fruits, grains and vegetables. This type of eating plan may also reverse existing atherosclerotic conditions.

Overweight Risk

Becoming overweight increases your cardiovascular risks further. The Office of the Surgeon General reports that high blood cholesterol, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, heart attacks and premature death are all more likely in people who are overweight versus at a healthy weight. Following a balanced diet that limits solid fats and processed foods will help you to stay within an average 2,000 calories per day or another amount appropriate to your age, sex and activity level.