Feeling like your blood does not circulate well, numbness in the hands and feet, frequent pins and needles, heavy legs — these are often related to circulation and daily habits · This article sums up how to care for yourself and the nutrients linked to blood vessels
Poor circulation causes numbness in the hands and feet, pins and needles, heavy legs and cold hands and feet · Common factors include sitting or standing for long periods, lack of movement, smoking, excess weight, and certain blood-vessel conditions · Care focuses on moving your body and looking after your blood vessels
1 How to care for yourself
- Move or change position every 30-60 minutes, and do not sit cross-legged for long
- Exercise regularly (walking, swimming) and raise your legs during breaks
- Stop smoking, keep your weight in check, and drink enough water
2 Nutrients linked to blood vessels
- Cold-pressed oils / omega — related to blood-vessel health
- OPC (pine bark / grape seed) — studied in relation to circulation and blood vessels
- Nitrates from beetroot / leafy greens — related to nitric oxide and blood vessels
⚠️ Supportive only, not a medicine that treats vascular disease
3 How to choose a supportive product
- Contains good oils / OPC to look after blood vessels
- Goes together with moving more and quitting smoking
- Taken consistently
4 When you should see a doctor
If you get numbness or leg pain when walking that improves with rest (possible narrowed arteries), swelling in one leg only or a red, hot, painful calf (possible blood clot), wounds on the foot that heal slowly, or chronic numbness, you should see a doctor to have your blood vessels and nerves checked
5 Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Is numbness in the hands and feet always from poor circulation?
Not always. It may come from the nerves (for example a B-vitamin deficiency or diabetes) or from the blood vessels. Look at the accompanying symptoms, and get checked if it is chronic
Do fish oil and OPC help circulation?
They have been studied in relation to blood-vessel health and circulation and can be supportive, but they are not a medicine and must go together with moving your body
Does sitting for a long time make circulation worse?
Yes. Sitting for a long time makes blood pool in the lower legs, so you should get up and move every 30-60 minutes
What should I do about leg pain when walking?
If the pain comes on while walking and improves with rest, it may be narrowed arteries, and you should see a doctor
- Supplements are not medicine — they have no effect in preventing, treating or curing disease; they are only a support for looking after your health
- People with underlying conditions or on regular medication should consult a doctor or pharmacist before use, because there may be interactions
- Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult a doctor first
- Leg pain when walking that improves with rest / swelling in one leg that is red and hot / a foot wound that heals slowly — you should see a doctor
References
- General guidance on circulation and blood-vessel health.
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