Healthy blood circulation is important for your overall health and well-being because it supports and enhances some of your basic physical and cognitive functions such as the heart, lungs, and even cognitive functions like concentration and memory. On the other hand, poor blood circulation can have the opposite effect – and in some cases, it can even lead to major diseases such as heart attacks and stroke.
Of course, to improve your blood circulation, it is important to adopt and live a healthy lifestyle. Proper sleep, a healthy diet, and regular exercise are key foundations for a healthy lifestyle. But in some cases, a healthy lifestyle may not meet your physical needs, which is why you will need a little leverage from outside help. This is where supplements come in.
Just as there are supplements that can improve many areas of our health – such as heart, skin, cholesterol level, brain, etc. – there are also supplements that will help improve your blood circulation quality.
This article will guide you to the best supplements for circulation, but before that, it is important to know why blood circulation is important in the first place.
Why Blood Circulation Is Important
As mentioned above, having a healthy blood circulation is important because it supports the basic functions of our physical and even mental health. Here are some of the things that healthy blood circulation can give us:
- A healthy blood circulation means you can distribute blood and oxygen well throughout your body – and this is very important. Blood and oxygen distribution is one key to ensure that your organs – such as the heart, lungs, muscles, and brain – will work at their optimal best.
- It is also crucial as it helps in removing waste that comes from your organs.
- Healthy blood circulation helps improve your immune system because it effectively distributes your white blood cells – blood cells that fight off infections and other harmful foreign particles – throughout your body.
- Healthy blood circulation is not only for the heart and heart-related areas. Your brain will benefit as well as your brain is reliant on oxygen to properly and effectively function – and your brain gets oxygen via blood circulation.
On the other hand, poor blood circulation leads to some of the negative results like:
- Muscle and joint pain
- Problems with digestion
- Chronic fatigue
- Pale skin
- Slow healing time when wounded (due to poor distribution of blood to the wound)
- Chest pain
- Memory glitch
- Lightheadedness
- Confusion and poor concentration
- Erectile dysfunction
Clearly, having a healthy blood circulation is one key to a healthy body and mind. Aside from proper diet and exercise, supplements are one way to keep your blood circulation intact, but what are these supplements and how they can help your blood circulation?
What Are Supplements That Improve Blood Circulation?
Blood circulation-related supplements simply help improve your blood circulation. With a healthy and proper diet, you can get some of these supplements through food, but if diet and exercise are not enough, you can aid it through supplementation.
Here are some examples of supplements that can help your blood circulation:
1) Iron
Iron is the key mineral for making hemoglobin, the protein within your blood that is responsible for carrying oxygen. In fact, lack of iron can cause anemia – a blood-related condition where your body lacks red blood cells, making them inadequate to supply oxygen throughout your body. The result – extreme fatigue, pale skin, lightheadedness, among others.
A healthy dose of iron is important (for adults, it’s around 45mg per day). However, do not take more than that as it can cause serious side effects. If you go even beyond that, it can lead to coma or even death.
2) Vitamin B3
Vitamin B3, or also known as niacin, helps in improving your blood circulation in a variety of different ways. It reduces blood levels that contain bad cholesterol (accumulated bad cholesterol can end up blocking your blood vessels, causing poor blood circulation. In worst cases, it can cause a stroke). It also improves blood vessel function and reduces inflammation within your blood vessels
The average recommended intake of Vitamin B3 for adults is around 35mg per day, but do not go beyond that as well.
3) Omega-3
Omega-3’s are fatty acids that help release nitric oxide in our body. In turn, nitric oxide improves blood circulation and helps relax our blood vessels.
Omega-3’s are commonly found in oily fish such as tuna and salmon. If you heard of ads promoting that tuna is good for the heart, it is because of its omega-3 content. But of course, you can also take omega-3 in a supplement form, such as with Omega XL and Cymbiotika.
4) Curcumin (Turmeric)
Curcumin is an antioxidant that occurs in turmeric, a spice mostly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. As an antioxidant, curcumin brings loads of health benefits to our body, including improved blood vessel functioning.
Curcumin can be taken by simply using turmeric. Again, though, you can also use curcumin supplements, like Curcumin 2000, if you need a little leverage on your diet.
How To Take Supplements For Circulation
Since these supplements usually come in pill or capsule form, you just have to take them the way you take your medicinal capsule or pill.
Of course, be aware of the proper dosages of each and do not go beyond the said dosage as it can cause serious side effects.
Do Supplements For Circulation Really Work?
Yes, these supplements really do work. However, be sure you get a reputable supplement because, currently, the supplements industry is less regulated by the FDA – meaning, fraudsters can take advantage of it by selling false supplements.
But this should not worry you because real supplements do exists; you just need to do a little digging to find them. Reading the label and searching for reputable reviews and recommendations are just some of the ways you can do to make sure you get the right supplement for you.
Are Blood Circulation-Related Supplements Right For Me?
Under normal conditions, these supplements work for most people. However, if you are pregnant or suffering from a medical condition, it’s best you ask your doctor first before taking these supplements.
Also, and more importantly, if you have a medical condition, never use these supplements to self-medicate yourself. Supplements are not medicines, to begin with, and lack of proper medical attention can only worsen your situation.
Best Supplements For Circulation
Smarter Turmeric Curcumin ($40)
It’s impossible to receive benefits from turmeric curcumin unless it is fully absorbed, and this supplement does a great job of doing exactly that. It’s a little on the pricier side, but its phenomenal quality promises great benefits.
Nordic Naturals Ultimate Omega ($24)
The omega-3 fish oil concentrates are in the triglyceride molecular form for optimal absorption. This supplement is middle in pricing, making it an affordable option with great benefits.
Nutricost Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) ($12)
This supplement is great for anyone that needs to increase their circulation. It also the most affordable supplement on this list, and among the most affordable on the market. Not only is it affordable, but it is of great quality.
Daily Iron Supplement from MegaFood ($28)
This supplement promises to combat fatigue and improve energy levels at the same time. This particular supplement also includes folic acid and B12 for healthy red blood cell production.
Alternatives To Supplements For Circulation
Aside from supplementing for increased circulation, there are other methods you can do as well. One of the easiest and best ways to increase circulation is by going for routine walks. This is something you can implement throughout the day. Another technique is dry brushing, a method in which you stimulate your circulation by brushing your entire body.
These techniques may work for minor circulation problems, but if you have a serious circulation problem, you should consult your doctor.
If you are thinking about adding a circulation supplement to your diet, now is a great time to try it out. Circulation supplements are easy and safe supplements to test that carry a variety of benefits with it. If you start taking a circulation supplement, and experience any negative symptoms, contact a medical professional for help.
