Cardiovascular disease is the most significant threat to the health of elderly individuals. What are the reasons behind the aging of blood vessels in older people? How can they prevent blood vessel aging and the onset of diseases? Let's take a look together!
The Causes of Blood Vessel Aging
1. Long-term irregular eating habits
Long-term irregular eating habits, overeating, excessive consumption of oily, salty, and sugary foods, and a diet with more meat than vegetables can lead to excessive intake of nutrients. The excess fats not only deposit on the walls of blood vessels, but also increase blood viscosity, making it easier to form blood clots.
2. Long-term smoking
Long-term smoking can cause significant atherosclerosis. Cigarettes contain nicotine, carbon monoxide, oxygen free radicals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, and butadiene, among other harmful substances. These substances are exchanged between the alveoli and the blood, reaching the blood vessels and interfering with lipid metabolism. They also damage blood vessel elasticity and endothelium, leading to the occurrence, development, and formation of blood clots in atherosclerosis.
3. Lack of exercise
The lack of exercise is a major factor in blood vessel blockage. Without regular physical activity, the "garbage" inside the blood vessels cannot be eliminated. Excess fats, cholesterol, and sugar accumulate in the blood, making it thick and dirty, eventually leading to blood vessel blockage.
4. Chronic sleep deprivation
Chronic sleep deprivation may increase the risk of heart attack. Staying up late for long periods of time can cause excessive secretion of adrenaline and norepinephrine, leading to blood vessel constriction, slow blood flow, increased blood viscosity, and a significant increase in waste products, toxins, and oxygen free radicals in the blood.
How Can the Elderly Protect Their Blood Vessels?
1. Sleep
Sleep is the first and most important anti-aging activity. Sufficient sleep not only ensures a clear mind, but also protects blood vessels.
2. Hydration
Elderly individuals often forget to drink water, which is not good. Water is an essential component of the body and can refresh the body and clean the blood vessels.
What Foods Are Good for Blood Vessels?
1. Foods rich in fish oil
Fish meat is rich in methionine, lysine, proline, and taurine, which can improve blood vessel elasticity and compliance, as well as promote sodium excretion.
2. Foods containing arginine
These foods can nourish the kidneys and replenish essence, help regulate blood vessel tension, inhibit platelet aggregation, and reduce blood vessel damage. Examples include sea cucumber, loach, eel, sesame, yam, ginkgo biloba, tofu skin, and sunflower seeds.
3. Folic acid supplementation
Folic acid has important effects in reducing the incidence of coronary heart disease and stroke. It is recommended for middle-aged and elderly people to consume foods rich in folic acid, such as amaranth, spinach, seaweed, asparagus, beans, yeast, apples, and citrus fruits.
4. Foods that lower cholesterol
These foods include spirulina, parsley, carrots, hawthorn, seaweed, kelp, walnuts, olive oil, and sesame oil.
