Peripheral vascular disease is defined as a narrowing of the arteries feeding the extremities and organs oxygenated blood. Symptoms include cramping like pain in the hips and lower legs with ambulation. The pain typically goes away with brief periods of rest. As the condition worsen with less walking or occurs even at rest. Blockages in the arteries of the extremities is a risk factor for coronary artery disease. Namely, because the plaque build up occurs throughout the body and seldom misses an area completely. The blockages involve the arteries to the kidneys and to the GI tract. This results in a decline in the kidney function and the ability to absorb nutrients as wells a pain in the abdomen after eating. Complete blockage can result in death of the bowel and severe pain.
The good news is that eating a no added oil, plant based diet can improve blood flow by decreasing the plaque size and improving the elasticity of the artery itself. By eating several servings of leafy green vegetables a day the blood vessel wall will produce nitric oxide that dilated or relaxes the vessle wall and improves blood flow. Eat greens in a smoothie for breakfast. Eat a big mixed green salad for lunch and steam greens as a part of your dinner each day.