What is blood viscosity?
Blood viscosity is the thickness and stickiness of the blood. It is a direct measure of the ability of blood to flow through the vessels. Blood viscosity is defined as the inherent resistance of blood flow.
What causes the blood to become thick and sticky, you may ask. The answer is simple. The blood becomes thick and sticky due to our lifestyle and the exposure to environmental stress.
Blood viscosity is often linked to cardiovascular disease. How is this so? When a healthy infant enters the world its heart pumps more efficiency than it ever will throughout its life time. It’s arteries are soft and flexible. It’s blood pressure is low, it’s blood is thin and flows easily. The effect of time and lifestyle will, however, begin to take its toll as the infant advances in years. The arteries expands and easily absorb the contractual force of the heart which keeps the blood moving forward in a laminar flow. As time passes and the child grows taller it’s blood pressure must rise to perfuse the larger erect body of an adult. As he/she eats unhealthily and is exposed to environmental stresses, it’s blood gets thicker, and as a result: it’s heart must work harder.
The circulatory system is a close system, the arteries must absorb all the stress from the laboring heart. As the heart works harder, arteries in certain region of the system are overly stretched almost to the point of rupture. The most vulnerable arteries are those located near the heart acting as a shock absorber. The arteries feeding the heart and brain absorb the impact of an ejected blood as it is punched into the arterio system by the force and contraction of the left ventricle. The arteries begin to stretch to their limit, arteries in the lower extremities are also overstretched. This is caused by the pulling gravity on the blood in the legs of a person standing upright. This gravitational pull further adds to the already increased pressure in the arterio system. To protect themselves from further stretching and possibly rupture. The arteries in these vulnerable regions begin to thicken, stiffen and harden. As the arteries get tougher they become less compliant, and drastically change how the blood flows through these regions. To continue to maintain life sustaining perfusion, blood flow becomes turbulent. Turbulent flow sets the stage for the initiating event that causes arteriosclerosis. With the turbulent flow eddies form at the arterial bifurcation changing direction with each contraction of the heart. The back and fro of the flow of blood is abrasive like sand paper. The inner lining of the arteries adapts to this assault by forming catalases ( enzyme consisting of protein) to protect itself from injury. At the same time the blood flow dividers, arterio bifurcation, are subjected to yet another type of injury. This is high shear stress. When the blood gets thin it is called low shear,when thick high shear. These high velocity burst pound on the internal surface of the flow divider wearing it away, the inner lining now adapt to this attack and form it’s own type of catalases to protect itself. It’s amazing how God builds the human body because He has made the epidermis and other cells in the body to protect themselves from rapid injury.
The Bible says in Leviticus 17:11- For the life of the flesh is in the blood:
NB: When we have good blood our bodies will be healthy.
How to decrease/prevent blood viscosity?
Plant-based Omega 3 sources are not as easily absorbed by our bodies but can also become a great remedy for thick blood. Flaxseed oil, avocados, sesame seeds and nuts are great sources of plant Omega 3 fatty acids and are one of earth’s best blood thinning foods.. Water is a surprising remedy among natural blood thinners helping keep you clot free. By not drinking enough water, especially if predisposing conditions are present, individuals are prone to hypercoagulation. A lot of dried fruits and berries are one of nature’s best natural blood thinners like raisins, cranberries, prunes and cherries. They are very high in antioxidants and help support. Exercise is also among natural blood thinners as it helps facilitate blood flow to organs and reduce the likelihood of blood clotting. Start with moderate easy workout routines.Vitamin B6 helps control excessive blood clotting leading to hardened arteries and heart disease. Most of the whole grains, sweet potatoes and legumes contain sufficient amount of vitamin B6.
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