Foods good for veins may seem to good to be true. As we age, varicose veins may begin to appear in the lower extremities as these veins weaken, causing blood to pool and the walls of these veins to bulge.
There are foods good for vein health, however eating healthy alone will not completely prevent the condition. Several factors can affect this condition, including genes, obesity, pregnancy and long periods of time sitting or standing. Nutrition can also play a role.
If you are worried you might have varicose veins or vein disease, its best to consult with a medical professional. They can determine the state of your condition, observe your symptoms, and help you come up with a plan that works best for your lifestyle.
Below we put together a list of various nutritional sources that can help to prevent the underlying cause of varicose veins from forming.
Foods Good For Veins: What to Know
Low Calorie, Nutrient Dense Vegetables
Filling your plate with light foods like vegetables instead of heavy meats and starches like rice or potatoes can help you to lose weight. Obesity is a contributing factor to varicose veins, and losing even 10% of your body weight can begin to improve this condition.
As an added bonus, losing weight can boost your cardiovascular health in general, and protect you from stroke and heart attack.
Buckwheat, Apples, Cherries, Apricots, and Figs
All of these foods contain the bioflavonoid rutin, which helps to reinforce vascular walls. This keeps the veins from bulging, and help blood move along properly instead of pooling in the lower extremities. Rutin helps to alleviate symptoms like swelling and pain that can accompany varicose veins.
Oranges, Leafy Greens and Berries
These nutritional powerhouses are all rich in vitamin C, an antioxidant which helps protect against cellular damage. This helps to keep the walls of veins strong and supple, which in turn stops varicose veins from forming.
Sunflower Seeds, Almonds and Spinach
These foods are all good sources of vitamin E, which is another powerful antioxidant that helps in preventing cell damage. It also helps to stop platelets in the blood from sticking together and improves circulation and blood flow. All these benefits of vitamin E will aid you in your fight against varicose veins.
Tuna, Chicken and Turkey
Vitamin B 3, or niacin, helps promote healthy circulation, and is another valuable nutrient to protect your veins. These three foods are excellent sources of this nutrient.
Foods to Avoid
Alcohol should be avoided if you have a predisposition for varicose veins, or a family history of the condition. Alcohol increases blood pressure which puts strain on the circulatory system and thus the veins, and could cause this condition to worsen.
Additionally, alcohol is filtered by the liver, which also filters the blood. In extreme cases of alcohol abuse, the liver can become damaged and subsequently the blood will not be filtered properly.
When this occurs, the blood can become viscous and good circulation can be impeded. Drinking a lot of coffee or caffeine should also be avoided. Recent studies prove that caffeine can have adverse effects on our circulatory system. This can include constricted blood vessels, decreased circulation and high blood pressure.
While you can’t control all the factors that contribute to varicose veins, you can ensure you eat foods good for vein health to help to alleviate symptoms and keep your veins healthy. Whether it’s varicose veins, spider veins, or venous ulcers, our clinics treat a variety of vein disease conditions. Varicose treatments take between 15-30 minutes depending on the number of veins affected.
If you believe you are suffering from vein disease, contact us at 888.768.3467 to learn more about which treatment would work best for you.
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