Many people are unaware that they suffer from circulatory problems, most of which are due to atherosclerosis (thickening and hardening of the arteries). It is little known that your arteries can be 80% clogged before you feel any symptoms. Plaque (cholesterol, calcium and cellular debris) collects in the arteries over a period of years, but is not noticed until there is a decrease in the normal flow of blood.

It is also little known that cholesterol is not the main problem -- damaged artery linings that allow plaque to attach itself are the prime cause of clogged arteries. Fortunately, it has been shown that arterial damage can often be reversed (artery walls strengthened and arteries reopened) with a careful holistic regimen of diet, nutritional supplements and lifestyle changes.

Atherosclerosis and its complications, heart disease and stroke, are the leading cause of illness and death in North America. It is no coincidence that never before have we been so exposed to the causes of atherosclerosis -- smoking, stress, pollution, radiation, lack of exercise and poor diet.

If you have a high score it may indicate that you have sluggish blood flow and perhaps narrowing of the arteries. This is only an approximation, since some of the symptoms listed also apply to other imbalances. Only your doctor can diagnose and treat a circulatory problem, but if you have symptoms of poor circulation you can help reverse this condition with nutritional changes.

Cut back or eliminate as many of the following as possible (it's not important to do this all at once, but you should start working on it now):

Correct any nutritional deficiencies. Eat more fruits and vegetables. Try to eat 5-6 servings (half cup each) of fresh vegetables daily (especially broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, winter squash and leafy greens like kale, collards, beet greens and salad greens) -- steamed, raw, stir-fried and in soups, casseroles, pastas, etc. Eat brown rice often. Eat fish instead of meat unless you'd like to try vegetarianism. Vegetarians do have a lower risk of heart disease but you can get many of the health benefits of a vegetarian diet by following a diet low in animal fat and eating more high-fibre foods.

Try to get more of your protein from vegetable sources like soy foods, sprouts, black beans, whole grains, raw nuts and seeds, etc. -- while cutting back on red meat. Sea food, fish, eggs and low fat yogurt are also good protein sources.

The addition of a good fibre supplement would be wise. Oat bran is good. As well you could supplement with psyllium husk powder (which has been shown to be effective in lowering blood cholesterol levels). Add a couple of teaspoons to a big glass of water and take it twice a day. Unless you eat fresh fish several times a week, flax seed oil would be another good addition to your diet. You can buy the oil (which has to be refrigerated and can be used as part of a salad dressing) or whole flax seeds which can be ground and sprinkled over your meal -- or take a flax oil supplement three times daily, with meals. Drink six to eight glasses of water daily. Take a good vitamin/mineral supplement daily, with a meal.

Since fatty meals cause damage to artery linings, it may help to take a vitamin C and vitamin E supplement just before a meal containing fat.

Following are some of the nutrients which are especially important for the circulatory system: vitamin E (200-400 I.U./day); vitamin C with bioflavonoids (500-1000mg/day); B complex vitamins; the minerals magnesium, calcium, potassium, selenium, zinc, chromium and iron. In addition take a good multivitamin tablet. Diet is just one factor in the treatment of circulatory problems. Exercise and stress reduction are just as important.

There are a number of herbal therapies which are very effective in cleansing the system and stimulating circulation, but I think they should be recommended by a holistic medical doctor such as a naturopath or homeopath.