There are many raw foods and supplements out there that are flavonoid rich and can help increase blood flow around the body. Our resident Naturopath, Rick Hay, talks about how to naturally alleviate poor circulation.

Foods to help boost slow circulation...

Spices such as turmeric, ginger, cayenne and chilli are all excellent for circulation and have been used extensively in Western, Chinese and Ayurvedic herbal medicine for this purpose. Current research is revealing that these spices work on both stimulating circulation and helping the lymphatic system remove toxins. They have high levels of antioxidants, which as well as fighting free radical damage; provide cardiovascular benefits by helping to keep the blood thin. They are also full of biochemical powerhouses, such as the curcuminoids in turmeric, which have been shown to have positive anti-carcinogenic properties.

Research has shown that the herb Ginkgo Biloba helps with circulation - not only to the extremities but also to the brain - so you can have great legs and a terrific memory courtesy of the flavonoids contained within this medicinal plant!

Fresh fruit and vegie juices with a hint of ginger are also recommended as these rawfoods provide the body with enzymes that help with circulation and cleansing. Spirulina Capsules is a great protein based supplement that can help with circulation and detox - a healthier liver leads to better circulation and spirulina can help your liver cleanse due to the high levels of chlorophyll it contains.

Many women feel the heat and hormones in their lower legs; knees, ankles & feet, experiencing discomfort and puffiness…

Dandelion Tea is fantastic for this problem as it is an excellent diuretic and helps to remove excess water and any fluid build-up in the body. Research, both in complementary and orthodox medicine, has clearly demonstrated the effectiveness of adding onions and garlic into your raw food diet, not only because of their circulatory benefits, but also their cleansing properties.

Raw food juices such as fresh carrot, apple, cucumber and ginger juice can also help due to the enzymatic activity they promote. Fresh juices are nutrient-dense and provide a multitude of vitamins and minerals that are necessary for a healthy diet and overall health. Vitality 4 Life has a fantastic collection of Cold Press Juicers, designed to protect the living enzymes in your raw foods, allowing you to unlock all the goodness and maintain a healthy diet.

It's important to take a holistic approach when it comes to healthy eating and living and by maintaining the health of the whole body, the health of the legs will follow. Adopting a holistic approach, it is important to focus on the hormones (not just the legs) and there are many menopausal formulas and supplements that can help, both available in vitamin and herbal forms.

A good green powder, preferably organic, is also great to unlock the power of alkaline foods, helping to alkalise the body and therefore help reduce the severity and symptoms associated with hot flushes.

The best ingredients for a detox smoothie…

Fresh carrot, cucumber and apple juice has excellent detoxing properties and are readily available at your nearest supermarket, green grocer or farmers market. To add some superpower, Fushi's Beauty Totale Powder contains 10 super foods including spirulina, kelp and bilberry, making it a great addition to any drink. This nutrient-dense smoothie will help keep you fuller for longer and reduce those cravings and snack urges! The super-foods are packed with vitamins, minerals and various antioxidants that help cleanse and repair - whilst the herbs help to regulate blood sugar levels. This juice has an incredible ORAC score, the measurement used to grade antioxidant activity. Remember anything green helps to detox the liver and provides high levels of magnesium, which helps reduce leg cramps.

You can cold press your own juices using any one of the high quality Cold Press Juicers:

How to enhance leg shape…

Enhancing leg shape needs a combination of diet and exercise. Effective supplements, such as Fushi's Total Body Slim Complex, are designed to complement a sensible weight loss programme. This product contains ingredients that help distribute, breakdown and remove cholesterol and saturated fats from the body, whilst promoting proper breakdown of all bulk nutrients in the gastrointestinal tract. It is also designed to help balance blood sugar levels, as an imbalance in this area can lead to sweet cravings and weight gain. Fushi's Total Body CelluLIGHT Complex contains a combination of vitamins, minerals and herbs that act to promote the breakdown and dispersion of cellulite and increase circulation, thus removing accumulated toxins from fatty tissues.

Drink Green and Fresh for a healthy body!

Fresh, not concentrated, vegie and fruit juices are best for a healthy body - the best being my old favourite - carrot, apple, cucumber and ginger. Another perfect, easy to make drink is a glass of warm filtered water with the juice of half a lemon - it's a great way to start each day and helps to keep your bowels healthy and regular. It also helps to eliminate toxins. Drinking various herbal teas throughout the day is a great way to stay hydrated and to help your body detox slowly. Avoid Coffee and other caffeinated drinks.

The best form of exercise…

Whole Body Vibration Technology is the perfect solution for increasing circulation. Vibration Machines such as the Vitality 600 and the Vibrodisc are excellent in promoting muscle growth, improving muscle tone, boosting circulation and decreasing swelling. These machines are available for an affordable price here at Vitality 4 Life.

Click here to view our full range of Vibration Machines

Click here to view our full range of high quality Cold Press Electric Juicers – our juicers are non-centrifugal and keep enzymes alive, unlocking all the health benefits in raw foods.