Circulation to the brain depends on having a healthy heart and healthy vascular system. Several things can impede circulation of the blood to the brain. The most obvious would be a physical blockage, which causes a lack of oxygen and causes brain tissue to die. This is called a stroke or a transient ischemic attack. A stroke can be caused by clots of blood lodged in the arteries or narrowed arteries because of plaque on the walls of the artery. There are some things you can do to improve general circulation.
Practice Good Health
Watch your blood pressure. High blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to strokes. Following a healthy, low-fat diet will help. Some people are naturally more prone to high blood pressure. In that case, prescribed medications may be necessary to keep high blood pressure under control.
Take aspirin. If your doctor agrees, you might start taking half a baby aspirin a day once you are over 50 or if you have other risk factors. Aspirin thins the blood and reduces blood clots.
Avoid stress. It seems like a double whammy, but stress can damage blood vessels. Think calm thoughts.
Exercise. Walking, in particular, increases the oxygen and glucose available to the brain. Exercise will strengthen the heart muscle and make the pumping more powerful.
Take care of your lungs, which gather oxygen from the air. When the lungs are damaged, the heart has to beat harder to compensate. Stop smoking. Smoking coats the lungs in particles, and in response the lungs secrete a substance to protect themselves, which further decreases their ability to gather oxygen. Also, avoid noxious substances that might burn or otherwise damage the lungs.
Consider supplements. Never rely on supplements in place of a good diet and exercise, and dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, but many people believe they have been useful for their health.
Vitamin B6 is involved in hemoglobin synthesis. Hemoglobin carries oxygen in the red blood cells. Ginko biloba is purported to increase blood flow to the extremities and to the brain. A study in the October 1997 Journal of the American Medical Association reported that ginko biloba created improvements in Alzheimer’s patients. Nitrous oxide, fish oil, garlic, hawthorn berry and dark chocolate are all purported to be circulation boosters, although at this time no scientific studies are available to back up those claims.