Health Basics
Blood Pressure / Vascular Health

Go with the Flow: Supporting Vascular Health

Your body's vascular system is a superhighway consisting of thousands of veins, vessels and arteries that pump blood and essential nutrients to and from different vital organs. Want to keep the "traffic" moving without any jams? Follow these tips to go with the flow.

Eat a vascular-friendly diet

A well-functioning vascular system runs on healthy food. By steering clear of fatty, processed foods, you can keep your weight, cholesterol and already-healthy blood pressure at healthy levels and help fight plaque buildup in your arteries. Choose fresh foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans and whole grains—which are naturally rich in healthy fats, fiber and essential vitamins and minerals. Not only are these Mediterranean style foods delicious, but they also support healthy vascular function.
Exercise your way to vascular health

By incorporating regular low-impact activity, such as walking, cycling, yoga, swimming—or even golf!—you can dramatically improve your circulation and promote healthy veins and arteries. Exercise also burns extra calories, promotes already-healthy blood pressure levels and helps keep your cholesterol levels in check.
Go the extra mile to support healthy veins and blood flow

Round out your diet with nutrients such as hawthorne and arjuna extract, which support overall cardiovascular health. These vascular health superstars also protect the heart muscle cells, which helps promote normal circulation and coronary artery health.

Information About Heart Health

General Blood Pressure / Vascular Health

As your heart pumps, blood exerts pressure against the walls of your arteries. This is called blood pressure and is measured by two readings: systolic and diastolic.

Blood Pressure / Vascular Health Information & Research

What are the core supplements to help maintain already-healthy blood pressure?

Supplements that help support blood pressure that is already within normal range include the flavonoids quercetin, hesperidin, myricetin and myricitrin, grape polyphenols, extracts of pomegranate, green coffee bean, olive leaf and hawthorn, stevioside from stevia, omega-3 fatty acids from fish oil, coenzyme Q10, magnesium, whey protein, calcium, vitamin K, L-arginine, resveratrol and melatonin.

How do you maintain optimal vascular health as you age?

Vascular health depends greatly upon the intake of a healthy diet, healthy weight management and consistent physical activity. Supplements known to help maintain healthy blood pressure can also help support vascular health. These include vitamins B3, C, E and K, omega-3 fatty acids, propionyl L-carnitine, L-arginine, coenzyme Q10, lipoic acid, resveratrol, quercetin, hesperidin, French maritime pine extract, extracts of pomegranate, garlic, green tea, Ginkgo biloba, Centella asiatica, Gynostemma pentaphyllum and the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242.

What should my blood pressure be?

Normal blood pressure for adults is defined by the American Heart Association as a systolic pressure of less than 120 and a diastolic pressure of less than 80. This is stated as 120/80. At Life Extension, we shoot for optimal numbers of 115/75. Maintaining already-healthy blood pressure levels is key to your health, and a healthy weight and diet, supplementation and stress management can help.