Blood flow is very important for a variety of reasons, ranging from sustaining life to improving looks. Increasing blood flow can be done in a number of ways, usually specific to the goals and desires of the person who wishes to improve circulation. A few tips for increasing blood flow are to exercise regularly, maintain a heart-healthy diet, and control body weight.
The good news is that the third item in this list can be done easily by completing the first two. The bad news is that completing the first two takes a great deal of discipline. Increasing blood flow depends on the ability of the heart to move blood and the efficiency of the vessels to sustain such movement.
The heart is the engine of the car that is circulation. A more powerful heart can be built, just as engines may be modified. The heart is a muscle, so it responds to stress by strengthening in a fashion similar to the increases of bodybuilders' massive pectorals. Stressing the heart through sustained exercise is one way to produce increasing blood flow.
Exercise causes the chambers of the heart to broaden, allowing for more blood to be injected with each contraction, hence increasing blood flow. Exercise also acts as a filter to the blood vessels. Both clean arteries and veins can help improve circulation. Nonobstructed arteries produce efficient pathways for blood to reach organs, whereas clean veins help the maximum amount of blood to be returned to the heart in a minimal amount of time.
There are, of course, dietary factors that contribute to the status of one's circulation as well. Certain foods can add body weight or clog blood vessels, both decreasing the quality of blood flow. Such foods are usually dense in caloric composition and high in saturated fats. Avoiding these foods or consuming them in moderation is a good way to improve blood flow.
Contrarily, eating properly can help support healthy cardiovascular function and control body weight. Foods with high fiber and grain contents have been clinically proven to help the organs and tissues associated with the cardiovascular system. There are also specific types of fats that act as vacuums in the blood vessels and work toward increasing blood flow.
Increasing blood flow can help an individual become more healthy and function better on a daily basis. There are also surgical and experimental methods in addition to those discussed that may improve circulation. Following these basic principles may contribute to an increase in blood flow in almost any personal circumstance.