If you’re wondering if vitamins can increase blood flow to your penis and other organs, you’ve come to the right place.
Chronic health problems often result from lifestyle factors, and our diet has a strong influence. Circulation problems and cardiovascular disease is a clear example.
It is always important to follow your doctor’s recommendations, and some of them have to do with nutrition.
Doctors will likely recommend a low-fat, high-fiber diet and monitor your cholesterol levels. Antioxidants will be necessary, and you should eat more fruits and vegetables. They are all standard recommendations for patients with circulation problems.
In some cases, people with blood flow problems improve their symptoms by consuming a healthy diet. Thus, vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients are fundamental in therapy. They are also an alternative healing method that works in patients with mild disease.
In any case, many nutrients can improve blood flow and circulation. In this article, you will find essential nutrients and some recommended supplements to increase blood flow to your penis. We will have a particular focus on the penile blood flow to improve symptoms in patients with erectile dysfunction.
Vitamins and supplements for increased blood flow
Increasing blood circulation requires proper nutrition and water intake. That way, we will increase blood production and take enough oxygen and nutrients to our cells.
Antioxidants are also important, as you will see. They prevent damage to the inner lining of the blood vessels, known as the endothelium.
By leading a healthy diet, you’re likely to receive enough vitamins and antioxidants. But you might also consider getting supplements in some instances. For example, B complex supplements if you’re a vegan, and iron supplements if you have anemia.
In short, this is the list of nutrients you want to secure in your diet for improved blood flow:
- Vitamin E: This is a fat-soluble vitamin, and it is mainly found in nuts and seeds. Some oils contain vitamin E, but you should be careful with high-fat foods. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant. It counters oxidation, a fundamental step before a fat plaque forms in the blood vessels. As such, vitamin E foods are recommended by health authorities to reduce atherosclerosis (1).
- B complex: B vitamins are essential to maintain proper blood flow. These supplements are vital for vegans and vegetarians. You may also need B complex supplements if you’re diagnosed with anemia. These vitamins are required for the replication of blood cells. They improve our capacity to deliver oxygen and blood to the tissues (2).
- Iron: Pernicious anemia is caused by B12 deficiency, but the most common is iron-deficiency anemia. Iron is used by blood cells to carry oxygen. It is found in the part of hemoglobin that binds to oxygen. Beans and lentils are an excellent source of iron. It is also found in green leafy vegetables and liver (3).
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Herbs that improve blood circulation
Besides vitamins and minerals, you can find other nutrients in various herbs. Some of them are tasty and commonly used in spices and infusions. Others are available in supplement form. They could also work to improve penile blood flow and may also increase our sex drive.
Here’s a list of herbs that will likely help:
Ginger
This herb has a favorable effect on the cardiovascular system. It prevents plaque formation in the blood vessels and thrombosis. Both events reduce blood flow and increase the risk of heart disease. It is also a potent antioxidant and reduces the oxidation of LDL in atherosclerosis (4).
Cayenne
This is an excellent botanic herb for circulation. After you ingest it, cayenne nutrients dilate our blood vessels. Dilated blood vessels allow more blood flow to the organs and tissues. This also has an effect on the penis tissue. In the penis, cayenne helps to achieve longer and harder erections (5).
Gotu kola
Also known as Centella Asiatica, Gotu Kola plants contain substances called triterpenoids. These compounds improve blood vessel function and work particularly well in the brain. It facilitates brain blood flow. Thus, it reduces the risk of neurological conditions associated with low oxygen levels (6).
Black pepper
This herb is widespread in Chinese medicine to enhance blood circulation. It works in combination with coenzyme Q10, beta carotenes, resveratrol, and other nutrients. When consumed together, blood circulation improves in the brain and other tissues (7).
Turmeric
You may also find it as Curcuma longa, a potent anti-inflammatory herb found in curry. It contains curcumin, which can stabilize blood pressure levels. By reducing inflammation, turmeric may also slow the progression of atherosclerosis. According to studies, it may also increase penile erectile response by increasing cGMP activity in the corpora cavernosa (8).
Thyme
Common thyme has effects on the immune system and blood lipids. It is also helpful to prevent thrombus formation in the blood. However, to trigger an antithrombotic effect, we should consume thyme every day. According to studies, the effects can be amplified when consumed along with rosemary. Notably, it reduces thrombus formation without prolonging bleeding time (9).
Hawthorn
This herb is extensively used in China to treat cardiovascular problems since 659 AD. It lowers our blood lipids and has an antioxidant effect. Thus, hawthorn has anti-atherosclerotic effects and is gaining popularity as a cardiovascular aid. It increases nitric oxide levels, which dilates blood vessels and favors blood flow (10).
Ginkgo biloba
This is a very popular herb, and it comes from a tree known as the Maidenhair tree. Ginkgo biloba is an excellent aid for blood circulation. Similar to others above, it works through endothelial nitric oxide. This causes vasodilatation and increases our blood flow. It prepares our heart for increased activity and is particularly good at increasing penile blood flow. That’s why people often use Ginkgo biloba as a male enhancement supplement (8).
Bacopa
This is an essential herb in Ayurveda medicine. It is also known as Brahmi or Bacopa monnieri and induces artery relaxation. By relaxing the smooth muscle, bacopa reduces the blood pressure without altering the heart function. It causes vasodilatation and improves blood flow. According to studies, its action is predominant in the brain. Thus, it acts as a neuroprotective herb and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (11, 12).
Butcher’s broom
This small evergreen shrub is a traditional herb in western Europe. It has different applications, and one of them is hemorrhoids and venous conditions. People with varicose veins may benefit from this herb and improve the blood return to the heart. It also has an anti-inflammatory capacity and reduces edema and swelling (13).
Improving circulation naturally
Healthy blood circulation is not only about what you eat or what supplements you choose. Your lifestyle also has an important role. If you consume the right ingredients but have very unhealthy habits, you won’t likely find any benefit.
By combining the nutrients and supplements above with these recommendations, you will find some relief from your circulation problems:
Appropriate fluid intake
Naturally, liquids make up an essential part of the blood. Thus, you need sufficient fluids in your system to promote blood flow. Water is the main ingredient of the blood, and the body has 70% water content. The nutrients we consume reach different organs and tissues diluted in water. Transporter proteins that carry fatty acids also move with the water flow. Thus, you want to keep yourself hydrated to keep a healthy cardiovascular system. In most cases, we recommend around 7 glasses of water, but your intake depends on many factors. Some people need more water than others, depending on their physical activity levels, the environment they live in, and more.
Exercise
Physical activity is the best stimulus you can give to your cardiovascular system. If you stay active, you will maintain your heart strong and responding appropriately to physical demands. Your arteries and veins will be prepared to manage a higher blood flow. The endothelium will send more signals to promote vasodilatation, and more blood will flow through. The minimum recommended physical activity for adults is 30 minutes daily for 5 days. Engage in moderate physical activity such as jogging or brisk walking. Remember that you need to get used to physical activity. So, adopt this habit gradually if you still don’t have it.
Massage therapy
One of the benefits of receiving a massage is an increase in blood circulation. Massage therapy promotes blood and lymph clearance through the veins and lymph vessels. It speeds up arterial blood flow and has a relaxing effect on the body and mind. Massage therapy works to increase blood flow locally in troubled areas. The effect is further amplified if you use heat therapy, which also speeds up localized blood flow.
Quit smoking
Tobacco smoke is a cause of several cardiovascular issues. It is also behind many cases of erectile dysfunction. Tobacco smoke affects blood circulation in many ways. It promotes inflammation and swelling and reduces the functional capacity of the heart. It changes the way your blood vessels move and metabolize substances. They are all harmful effects from various fronts, and they all cause circulation problems. Thus, it is a great idea to quit smoking if you have cardiovascular issues.
Stress management
Depending on the type of cardiovascular problem you have, it might also be appropriate to control your emotions. The cardiovascular system responds dramatically to stress, anxiety, fear, and other negative feelings. Thus, a common recommendation would be to deal with stress more appropriately and find helpful coping strategies.
Conclusion
The cardiovascular system responds to a series of lifestyle modifications, including our diet.
But if you want to increase the blood flow to your penis and other organs using nutrients, it is important to have a clear goal.
You may want to control your blood pressure with a high-fiber diet and using anti-inflammatory herbs such as turmeric.
If you have hemorrhoids and other venous conditions, you want to use herbs such as butcher’s broom. If you want to increase blood flow and oxygenation to your brain, Gotu Kola, Bacopa, and black pepper can help.
But a large number of men are looking for blood flow improvements to their genitals. They are probably using oral ED medications and want to improve their erectile function naturally. If you’re one of those, use supplements with Ginseng, vitamin D, Yohimbe, L-arginine, horny goat weed, cayenne, and turmeric.
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