Download What is the peripheral circulation?

Healthy Peripheral
Circulation
Sally Duffin BSc Nutr Med, MBANT, FHFI
Aims of Webinar
• Examine the structure of the peripheral
circulation
• Look at how it can be affected by
nutritional deficiencies and disease
• Explore ways to support healthy
circulation
What is the peripheral circulation?
• Circulation around the
body is continuous
• Pulmonary: right ventricle
to lungs, back to left atrium
• Systemic or peripheral: left
ventricle into aorta and into
general circulation
Lungs
Right
side of
heart
Heart
Body
tissues
Left side
of heart
What is the peripheral circulation?
• Arteries & veins carry blood from the heart to all
tissues then back to the heart
• Nutrients, gases and cellular wastes are exchanged
• Chemical messengers – hormones, enzymes,
immune cells – are transported around the body
• Blood flow to the extremities is regulated
Arteries & Veins
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Aorta
Arteries
Arterioles
Capillaries
Venules
Small Veins
Medium veins
Large veins
Arteries & Veins
• 3 layers or tunics in blood vessels
• Elastic arteries: lots of elastic tissue, small
amount of smooth muscle. Adapt to force of
blood pressure
• Muscular arteries: more smooth muscle, less
elastic tissue.
• Veins: thinner walls, less elastic and smooth
muscle tissue, increase in diameter and
thickness as they approach the heart.
Healthy capillaries
• Over 10 billion capillaries in the body
• Capillary exchange = how cells receive
nutrients and dispose of waste products
• Crucial for cell survival
• Occurs by diffusion
• Glucose, amino acids, hormones and oxygen
diffuse out
• CO2 and wastes diffuse in
What can go wrong?
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Damage to the vessel wall;
– Increased pressure
– Loss of integrity
– Loss of tone
– High blood sugars
• Hypersensitivity to changes in temperature
Varicose veins & Haemorrhoids
• Veins over 2mm in diameter
contain valves preventing
blood from back-flowing
• Latin ‘varix’ = twisted
• Smaller, surface veins lose
tone, become swollen and
twisted.
• Haemorrhoid = varicose
vein in the rectum
Varicose veins & varicose eczema
• Eczema caused by increased pressure in leg
veins
• Veins leak and skin becomes swollen, itchy,
red and sore
• Can lead to leg ulcers
Nutritional Support
• Vitamin C & bioflavonoids – structural
integrity, antioxidant protection
• Zinc citrate– wound healing; matrix
metalloproteinase activity
• Aloe vera whole leaf extract - bradykinase
enzyme action
• Proanthocyanidins – shown to inhibit free
radical enzymes
• Omega-3 oils – krill, flax
Nutritional Support
• Hop alpha acids – anti-inflammatory and pain
relief
• Vitamin D – regulation of inflammation
• Psyllium husks & ground flaxseeds
• Compresses of aloe and witch hazel
• Hydration – keep the blood and bowels
moving!
• Keep moving
Deep vein thrombosis
• A blood clot in one of the veins deep in the leg
or pelvis
• Can be carried to the lungs where it can cause
a pulmonary embolism
• Pregnancy, immobility, travelling, obesity, age
and certain medications increase the risk of
developing DVT
• Vitamin E may offer benefit
Raynauds Syndrome & Scleroderma
• Raynauds Syndrome:
– Affects fingers, toes and
ears
– Blood vessels constrict
due to changes in
temperature and
stimulation of the
sympathetic nervous
system
– Can lead to scleroderma
• Scleroderma: literally
hardening of the skin
• Affects skin and internal
organs
• Chilblains: small, localised
swollen patches of skin,
itchy and sore, aggravated
by sudden temperature
changes and cold.
Nutritional Support
• Nervous system support:
– B vitamins
– Magnesium
– Hydration
• Blood flow & vessel support:
–
–
–
–
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Omega 3 oils – flax and krill
Anthocyanidins; antioxidant & vasodilatory effects
Vit C
Vit E
Spirulina, chlorella, barleygrass
Lymphatic system
• Lymph capillaries
• Lymph vessels
• Lymphatic and thoracic
ducts
• Subclavian vein
Lymphatic circulation
• Fat absorption in the
digestive system
• Immunity
• Fluid balance and
waste removal
• Efficient lymph flow
is key to cleansing,
detoxifying and
maintaining optimal
health
• Keep the lymph flowing:
• Hydration
• Skin brushing to
stimulate lymph flow
• Hot & cold showers to
stimulate lymph
movement
• Exercise
Effects of chronic disease on
circulation
• Diabetes
• Elevated blood sugar
levels = glycosylation
which affects the lining
of blood vessels
• Increased oxidative
stress
• Vitamin E
• Minerals for blood
sugar balance
• Fibre
• Proanthocyanidins
• Vitamin C &
bioflavonoids
Cardiovascular disease & hypertension
• Force of blood pressure greater
in arterial system than venous
system
• Integrity & tone of vessels
• Damage to vessel walls
increases risk of stroke
• Hydration
• Relaxation practises
• Cardiovascular Health – Getting
to the heart of the matter
Summary
 Arterioles, capillaries, venules, veins and
lymphatic vessels make up the peripheral
circulation
 These vessels can become damaged by oxidative
stress, nutritional deficiencies, toxins and chronic
hypertension
 Our peripheral circulation can be supported with
antioxidant nutrients, essential fats, hydration
and management of lifestyle factors
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References
Wilson K.J. & Waugh A. (1996) Anatomy & Physiology in Health and Illness Churchill Livingstone
Seeley R.R. Stephens T.D. & Tate P. (2008) Anatomy & Physiology McGraw-Hill, New York.
www.raynauds.org.uk Accessed online 08/05/2013
www.patient.co.uk Accessed online 16/05/13
Maffei Facino et al (1994) Free radicals scavenging action and ant-enzyme activities of procyanidins from vitis
vinifera. A mechanism for their capillary protective action. Arzneimittelforschung vol 44(5):592-601
Mudnic I et al (2012) Antioxidant and vasodilatory effects of blackberry and grape wines. Journal of Medicinal
Foods http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22082099 Accessed online 16/05/2013
Mirastschijski et al (2013) Zinc, copper and selenium tissue levels and their relation to subcutaneous abscess,
minor surgery and wound healing in humans Biological trace element Research
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23595590 Accessed online 16/05/2013
Wren B. How to Prepare Your Body for Supplementation Nutrigold Ltd.
Goldenstein H. Et al (2013) Patient selection and vitamin E treatment in diabetes mellitus Expert Review of
Cardiovascular Therapy http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23469912 Accessed online 16/05/2013
Glynn R.J et al (2007) Effects of random allocation to vitamin E supplementation on the occurrence of venous
thromboembolism: report from the Women’s Health Study Circulation
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17846285 Accessed online 16/05/2013
May J.M, Harrison F.E (2013) Role of vitamin C in the function of the vascular endothelium Antioxidant s and
redox signalling http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23581713 Accessed online 16/05/2013
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