In this post, we are going to show how you can help varicose veins without medical intervention. Varicose veins, also known as spider veins, occur when pressure is placed on blood vessels or veins resulting in pooling of the blood and bulging of the veins. Veins are fairly frail structures and a defect in a vein’s wall leads to dilation of the vein and damage to the valves.
When the vein becomes damaged the increase in the pressure results in bulging veins which have termed various veins. The appearance of varicose veins happens when the vein is not functioning properly or becomes weak. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the vein rather than continuing toward the heart. Varicose veins often affect the legs, since they are the farthest from the heart and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.
Arteries carry the blood away from the heart to the organs and rest of the body like your veins.
According to the Chicago Vein Institute, more than 40 million people in the United States suffer from varicose veins, with the occurrence being greater in women (55 percent) than men (45 percent). Age increases the risk factor, with an estimated 50 percent of the western population over age 50 have varicose veins. Diet and lifestyle can help to reverse the condition.
POSSIBLE CAUSES
- Weak veins from poor health/diet.
- Excessive venous pressure because of low fiber induced, CONSTIPATION which increases straining during defecation
- Inactivity, obesity
- Prolonged sitting or standing, from jobs that require you to stand for long periods of time.
- Hormonal imbalance.
- Pregnancy
- Age can increase the risk of varicose veins, because of loss of tissue tone, loss of muscle mass and weakening venous walls.
- Genetics play a big role, according to Dr Axe, where both parents having varicose veins increases the risk of the disease to 90 percent. If only one parent is affected, a daughter has a 60 percent chance of developing varicose veins, and a son a 25 percent chance. Its a genetic weakness of the veins
- Damage to the veins & venous valves secondary to thrombophlebitis.
- Excessive expression, activity or release of enzymes that degrade structural compounds.
- Damage to the lining of the veins can cause white blood cells to come into play and create inflammation in the vein.
SYMPTOMS
- Tender or painful veins that are raised or swollen
- Legs that feel heavy or fatigued
- Discomfort
- Possible swelling, darkening, and ulceration of the skin of the leg below the knee
- Bruising or itching skin near the affected veins
FOODS TO EAT
High fiber foods: Fiber helps to relieve constipation. Constipation can cause unnecessary pressure on the veins from pushing to pass. This pushing can start with a big intake of breath, putting pressure on the veins all the way from the neck to the legs. Aim to get as much fiber as you can during the day for a 1-3 time bowel movement a day. You can get your fiber from vegetables, fruits, leafy greens, nuts, seeds, and sprouted grains, legumes, and beans.
Flax and chia seeds: Provide fiber and omega-3 fats, which can help reduce stress on the veins. Take one to three tablespoons of pre-ground flaxseed a day to get your omega 3, which creates an anti-inflammatory effect in the body and especially the heart to help with good circulation.
Berries: Provide flavonoids that can help strengthen veins.
Cayenne pepper: Helps improve circulation.
Vitamin E: Helps improves circulation. It also has the ability to stop blood clots too. You will find Vitamin E in plant-based foods like wheat germ, almonds, hazelnuts, raw seeds like sunflower seeds, avocado, papaya and green leafy vegetables like spinach – just 1 cup contains 3.7 milligrams. The highest source of vitamin E is found in wheat germ oil, just one tablespoon contains 20 milligrams. Vitamin E is found in plant foods.
Potassium-rich foods: Electrolyte-rich foods help reduce fluid retention including white beans, green leafy vegetables, potatoes, squash, avocados, celery, grapefruit, parsley, cilantro, bananas, figs, kiwi, kefir, and mushrooms.
Herbs & Spices: Cayenne/capsicum, garlic, onion, and ginger are all great to promote fibrin breakdown. Take liberally as they are great for the heart too.
Pineapple: Has proteolytic enzymes in the pineapple that appears to treat various veins. Give it a try is all I am sayin!
Natto: The nattokinase from natty, the Japanese food prepared from fermented soybeans using Bacillus subtilize. It’s a protein-digesting enzyme that has the potential to improve cardiovascular conditions and improve excessive fibrin deposits. They may also help to reduce the hard and lumpy skin found around varicosed veins.
FOODS TO NOT EAT
Trans fats: These fats worsen circulation and increase inflammation. Avoid hydrogenated oils, such as canola, soybean, cottonseed and vegetable oils, and even some “natural” oils, such as a lower and sunflower, which can be partially hydrogenated.
Meats & Dairy: Meat and dairy contain transfers and are hard to digest, we are not designed to be eating large amounts of meat. Our intestinal tract is suited to plant foods. So cut these out or at the very least limit them.
Sugar: Leads to weight gain and inflammation.
Caffeine: Is dehydrating and can worsen varicose veins and if you are a person that does not handle stress well, it will upset you hormone balance as cortisol comes into play. Not great for helping the heart and circulation issues.
Alcohol: Can be inflammatory and dehydrating, cut it out for 30 days and see how the improvement affects your body and various veins.
Refined and processed foods: Processed foods are seen to be a toxin to the system as they are packed with ingredients that have little nutritional value and may prevent good circulation due to weight gain hence worsening varicose veins.
Low-fiber foods: Low-fiber foods contribute to poor and small stools, leads to extra straining when defecating. There is no fiber in animal products so switch from meat to beans.
Need Help With Your Diet?
REMEDIES & EXTRA HELP
Cypress essential oil is a great natural remedy and can help with improving circulation and supports the circulatory system. Rub 5 drops into the veins twice daily.
Apple Cider Vinegar & Witch Hazle: You can mix apple cider vinegar and witch hazel to decrease the various veins
Vitamin E: get from good food sources or take a supplement at the start as you transition of around 400 IU’s daily
Cholesterol: Get your cholesterol down by avoiding all animal products and oils/fats
Help the Legs: Short-term help could be to elevate the legs, and wearing a compression sock.
Exercise is great to push excess pressure of the blood back into the circulatory system.
Weight: Maintaining a healthy diet and ideal BMI/body weight.
Horse chestnut: the seeds help hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It has an antioxidant effect of the vein and inhibits the enzyme that destroys venous structures. Take 100 mg a day. Or Bark root 500 mg, three times a day and escin 50 mg 3 times a day
Gotu Kola: extract 30 mg three times a day
Grape Seed Extract: take 200mg daily to strengthen the vein wall.
Bilberry: take 160 mg twice a day to increase circulation
Butcher’s Broom: 100mg three times a day to reduce inflammation of the veins
References :
Dr. Michael Gregor, website
Dr. John McDougall – https://www.drmcdougall.com/health/education/health-science/common-health-problems/constipation-hemorrhoids-varicose-veins/
Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements by Micheal T Murray N.D, book
Dr. Axe, website
