Ways to Promote Healthy Blood Flow
A visit to your doctor should be the first stop if you’re experiencing any of the symptoms or risk factors above. In some cases, medication may be necessary, but in general, making simple lifestyle changes can improve your blood viscosity. Get your blood flowing – literally! – with regular exercise, which helps reduce blood pressure, reduce cholesterol and promotes healthy weight loss. Decreasing the fat in your diet can also help.
For blood that is too thin, foods containing salicylates, substances that block vitamin K, should be avoided if at all possible. Vitamin K helps your blood clot, so you definitely don’t want to block that! Foods to avoid include:
- Herbs and spices such as curry powder, cayenne pepper, ginger, paprika, thyme, cinnamon, dill, oregano, turmeric, licorice and peppermint
- Fruits like strawberries, raisins, prunes, cranberries, blueberries, grapes, tangerines and oranges
- Chewing gum, honey, peppermints, vinegar, wine and cider
- Fish with omega-3 fatty acids (which lower the blood’s chances of clotting) like anchovies, salmon, albacore tuna, mackerel, lake trout and herring.
Aspirin, known to be a popular blood thinner, is also a salicylate and should be avoided as well.