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If you are an elderly person who has recently found that your limbs are often inexplicably numb, sometimes feeling weak and dizzy, and decide to go to the hospital for a check-up, the doctor tells you that this is because your blood vessels have hardened, with signs of blood clots even.
You can’t help but worry about what caused the hardening of the blood vessels, what signals in your body are reminding us that the blood vessels are hardening. In fact, hardening of the blood vessels, also known as arteriosclerosis, is a common problem in the elderly.
A retired teacher recently found that she often felt numb in her hands and feet when she woke up in the morning. This numbness would ease after activity, but it would still occur from time to time.
She thought it was due to her old age, but the doctor told her that this was an early sign of hardened blood vessels. Hardened blood vessels can lead to poor blood circulation, especially slow blood flow at night, leading to numbness in the limbs.
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Another homemaker, who usually pays attention to healthy eating, recently found that her legs often feel sore when walking, with relief only after resting.
She was worried about whether she had a serious illness. After a medical check-up, she found out that it was due to peripheral artery disease. Poor blood circulation in the legs caused muscles to lack sufficient oxygen and nutrients during activity, resulting in the feeling of soreness.
There is also an elderly man who enjoys exercising, but recently he has found that he easily feels chest tightness and shortness of breath during exercise, even with an accelerated heart rate at times. He thought it was due to excessive exercise intensity, but after a medical examination, the doctor found signs of arterial sclerosis.
In fact, hardening of the blood vessels is often related to a lack of certain important nutrients in the body, such as a deficiency in vitamin C, vitamin E, and omega-3 fatty acids, all of which help maintain the elasticity and health of blood vessels.
For example, a retired teacher who usually doesn’t pay much attention to consuming foods rich in vitamin E found that his blood vessels had decreased elasticity, blood circulation was poor, and he often felt cold and numb in his hands and feet. The doctor advised him to supplement vitamin E and improve his diet, and as a result, his vascular health significantly improved.
Next, we will detail several foods that help soften blood vessels. Eating more of these foods can prevent blood vessel hardening and reduce the risk of stroke.
These foods are not only nutritious but also readily available, making them suitable for daily consumption. Through scientific dietary adjustment, we can maintain the health of blood vessels and avoid the troubles of stroke and other cardiovascular diseases.
In order to maintain the elasticity and health of blood vessels, and prevent stroke and other cardiovascular diseases, it is important to consume more foods that help soften blood vessels in daily diet. One important point to note is that fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin C are essential.
A middle-aged woman who rarely consumes fruits and vegetables found that her limbs were often numb. After a medical check-up, the doctor told her it was due to hardened blood vessels.
The doctor advised her to eat more foods rich in vitamin C, so she started eating an orange and some tomatoes every day. After a period of time, her vascular health significantly improved, and the numbness in her limbs also eased.
Another elderly man who does not enjoy eating vegetables, especially leafy greens, had poor vascular elasticity and blood circulation. The doctor recommended that he eat some spinach or kale every day. After a period of time, his vascular health improved, and blood circulation became smoother.
Nuts and seeds rich in vitamin E are also very beneficial. Vitamin E is an important antioxidant that can prevent lipid peroxidation of the vascular endothelium, maintaining the elasticity of blood vessels. Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, and seeds such as sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds are rich sources of vitamin E.
A retired engineer who seldom consumes nuts and seeds, resulting in a lack of vitamin E in his body, had decreased vascular elasticity and poor blood circulation, often feeling cold and numb in his hands and feet.
The doctor advised him to eat a small handful of almonds and sunflower seeds every day. After a period of time, his vascular health significantly improved, and the symptoms of cold and numb hands and feet also decreased.
Fish and seed oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids are also very beneficial for vascular health. Omega-3 fatty acids can reduce bad cholesterol in the blood, increase good cholesterol, and protect vascular health. Fish such as salmon, sardines, etc., are good sources of omega-3 fatty acids.
An elderly man who rarely consumes foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids found that the level of bad cholesterol in his blood had risen, leading to hardened blood vessels and signs of blood clots. By eating fish two to three times a week, his vascular health significantly improved.
These foods are not only nutritious but also readily available, making them suitable for daily consumption. By following a balanced diet and incorporating these foods, we can maintain the elasticity and health of our blood vessels and prevent the occurrence of strokes and other cardiovascular diseases.
In addition to maintaining vascular health through dietary adjustments, simple exercises in daily life can help prevent strokes. These exercises can promote blood circulation, enhance cardiovascular function, and help the elderly maintain flexibility and health.
Head massages can help relax the muscles in the head, reduce pressure on the head, prevent headaches and strokes. Every morning and evening, gently massage the scalp from the forehead to the back of the head for 5-10 minutes each time.
A retired engineer who often feels headaches and dizziness was advised by the doctor to massage his head every day. After a period of time, his headache problem improved significantly, and he felt more refreshed.
Finger exercises can help improve blood circulation in the hands and wrists, preventing stiffness and arthritis. Every morning and evening, perform some simple finger exercises, such as clenching fists, spreading fingers, rotating wrists, repeating each movement 10 times.
An elderly woman who often feels stiffness and pain in her hands was advised by the doctor to perform finger exercises every day. After a period of time, her hand problems improved significantly, and her fingers felt more agile.
Stretching exercises can help stretch the muscles and improve blood circulation, reduce muscle tension. Every morning after waking up and before going to bed at night, perform some simple stretching movements, such as lifting the head and chest, stretching arms up, bending down to touch the ground, holding each position for 10-15 seconds.
A homemaker who often feels stiffness in the shoulders and neck was advised by the doctor to perform stretching exercises every day. After a period of time, her shoulder and neck problems improved significantly, and her body felt more comfortable.
By practicing these simple home exercises, we can effectively prevent strokes, maintain the health and vitality of the body. We hope everyone can persist in doing these exercises every day, maintain good living habits, and stay away from the troubles of strokes.
Through scientific and reasonable dietary adjustments, maintaining good pre- and post-meal habits, and adhering to simple home exercises, we can effectively prevent strokes and maintain our health.
What are your thoughts on the relationship between hardened blood vessels and nutrient deficiencies in the body? Join the discussion in the comments section!
References
[1] Chen Qiling, Yan Chong, Liu Hongju. Research Progress on the Effect of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Phenotypic Transformation on Atherosclerosis[J]. Journal of Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, 2024, 7.25
