Improving the Circulatory System

The circulatory system plays an important part in keeping you alive by delivering oxygen and nutrients throughout the entire body’s cells, while removing toxins. In an article written by Laine Bergeson titled “How Exercise Affects Circulation (and Vice Versa)” she discusses how the circulatory system affects athletics and fitness. Exercise can be a way to improve the circulatory system by making it stronger, more flexible, and expansive. Typically exercise is used as a way to lose weight, increase strength, or build endurance and circulatory system improvements aren’t as noticeable. Some of the benefits of exercise for the circulatory system are listed below. Exercise can increase blood vessel health by increasing its flexibility. In regards to blood vessels, you want them to be flexible rather than stiff or thick. Stiff vessels can occur when low-quality fats or sugars are consumed. With flexible arteries, they are able to constrict and dilate appropriately for distribution of blood throughout the body. Exercise helps increase flexibility by reducing inflammation and buildup of plaques in the arteries in addition to preventing blood clots. 

Exercise can also increase hormone production in the vascular system, particularly atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), which counteracts high blood pressure. A strong heart can lead to more effective pumping of blood throughout the body and to reach muscle tissue. With the increase of blood, it can widen vessels and even build new ones. Aerobic activity can also improve lung capacity. The lymphatic system can also be helped by exercise. The lymphatic system helps balance fluids in the body and fights infection by producing white blood cells. Some ways to increase lymphatic system health by jumping on a trampoline and doing inversions. Massage can improve circulation by increasing blood flow and cardiovascular function. In particular, manual lymph drainage massage can improve lymphatic circulation. Cold hands and feet could be due to poor circulation and exercise can help blood flow immediately and over long-term. To find out more ways to improve your health please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: https://experiencelife.com/article/how-exercise-affects-circulation-and-vice-versa/

Thyroid Imbalance in Women

Women have been found to be 10 times more at risk of developing a thyroid imbalance, according to Jill Grunewald in her article, “Why Do Thyroid Disorders Affect Women More Often Than Men?”. Sara Gottfried, an integrative physician and gynecologist, explains why this may be. She states the increased risk of developing a thyroid imbalance is linked to certain female hormones, particularly estrogen. Laura Thompson, PhD, states that birth-control pills containing high estrogen can lead to low thyroid function. Hypothyroidism and a woman’s reproductive system are quite interrelated. Hypothyroidism can lead to issues such as infertility, miscarriages, PMS, osteoporosis, endometriosis, PCOS, irregular menstrual cycles, fibroids, low libido, and difficulty in menopause. 

Issues with the thyroid may develop when hormones are altered such as during childbearing, periods of intense and prolonged stress. Gottfried states that, “women are most vulnerable after pregnancy, during periomenopause, and menopause. Thyropause-which is a drop in reproductive hormones that often triggers hypothyroidism- is the main cause of fatigue, weight gain, and depression”. Many healthcare providers do not test for thyroid issues and if they do, they typically only test for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). TSH is not an accurate representation of thyroid function. If you would like to have your thyroid tested by a provider, tests that look at Free T3, Reverse T3, and thyroid antibodies, TPOAb and TgAB, are more accurate of thyroid function. It may be beneficial to be tested for celiac disease because Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disease involving the thyroid, can be interrelated. It is best to always speak with a provider if you are concerned about your thyroid function. To find out more ways to keep yourself healthy, please visit our website at www.oxborochiro.com. 

Source: https://experiencelife.com/article/why-do-thyroid-disorders-affect-women-more-often-than-men/