Poor circulation is an unfortunate symptom of diabetes. The constant swinging of blood glucose levels damages blood vessels. This damage interferes with proper circulation, which is what ultimately leads to neuropathy and amputation. Hence, poor circulation caused by diabetes is a serious problem.
In order to avoid amputation, and remedy the circulation problems, you need to readjust a few things in your daily habits.
Namely, you need to start eating well and exercising.
Traditionally, people with type 2 diabetes are overweight and often times obese. Aside from diabetes, being overweight is linked to major cognitive problems and heart problems. Naturally, by managing your weight you are better able to manage the negative symptoms of diabetes. This includes poor circulation.
Proper Diet and Exercise Improves Blood Circulation
In a recent study called Action for Health in Diabetes, researchers examined ways 
to improve the health of patients with diabetes via diet and exercise. The results of the study were published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
The study last 10 years and focused on teaching the participants to develop healthy long-term behavior changes. They did this first by lowering overall calorie intake and increasing physical activity.
The participants of the study were in one of two groups.
The first group received guidelines based on what the researchers called “Intensive Lifestyle Intervention.” These guidelines suggested that the participants consume between 1200 and 1800 calories per day in order to lose weight. They were also told to exercise 175 minutes per week, though this could be as simple as a brisk walk.
The second group was simply a control group. This group simply attended Diabetes Support and Education classes, which is the traditional approach to diabetes treatment today.
A Healthy Lifestyle Leads to Better Blood Flow in the Brain
Of the participants who were overweight or obese at the start of the study, those with healthy lifestyle demonstrated the most improvements. According to MRI scans, the first group had better blood flow throughout the brain compared to the control group.
Interestingly, those with the lowest scores on cogntive tests had the greatest blood flow. Researchers believe this may demonstrate how the brain compensates for cognitive decline by increasing blood flow.
Participants who were obese didn’t fare as well, though. It seemed as if the benefits were most noticeable among participants who were only ever overweight, but never obese.
If this doesn’t shock you into eating a healthier diet, then simply click through some of our other posts. We’ve got plenty of science to do the convincing!
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Science Daily. URL Link. Retrieved October 31, 2017.
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