Many people underestimate the importance of healthy veins. That is until something goes wrong. It is quite difficult to maintain good health when your veins are damaged and suffering.
Why is that?
Because it is your veins’ job to carry the blood that your arteries have sent throughout your body all the way back up to your heart. Imagine what happens when your blood is not able to properly get back up to your heart — a plethora of issues could arise, including the dreaded varicose veins.
Your veins are a vital piece of your body’s functioning puzzle — the nutrients and oxygen that your veins contain are needed in your organs and every cell in your body. So, you see the importance of healthy veins, right?
Now, it’s time to talk about how you can keep your veins healthy so you don’t find yourself suffering from any vein issues down the line.
How to keep your veins healthy
Eat lots of fiber
Fiber is a star in the healthy vein scene. As you likely know, fiber is a key nutrient to help keep your digestive system working correctly. And having your digestive system on track is a great way to keep pressure from building up in your abdomen.
The more pressure that is put on your abdomen from the lack of regular digestive flow, the greater the chances that your veins will suffer due to the blockage of blood flow to your veins.
Some of the top fiber-rich foods you should reach for are:
- Popcorn
- Oatmeal
- Brown rice
- Leafy greens
- Broccoli
- Avocado
- Chia
- Lentils
Stay hydrated
Water is great for your body for a seemingly infinite number of reasons:
- Increases energy levels
- Improves skin
- Aids in weight loss
- Rids of headaches
- Prevents cramps
- Helps to keep the immune system strong
And guess what else water is great for? Your veins!
The more hydrated you are, the thinner your blood is, which means it flows more easily. If your blood is thick, that typically means you are dehydrated, and your veins will suffer as a result. Dehydration can lead to blood clots, and we know what that means — vein problems.
Keep moving
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the leading causes of varicose veins. In the modern world, it is often hard to stay mobile when you are stuck at a job behind a desk for 8+ hours a day.
However, it is well worth your time to get creative and think of ways that you can incorporate more movement into your day.
Set an alarm every hour at work that reminds you to get up and walk around for a few minutes. Doing this will work wonders when it comes to combating the negative effects of sitting.
Also, don’t go to the other extreme and spend all of your time standing — that too puts pressure on your veins and can cause problems.
Find a balance between your standing and sitting, and get as much walking in every day as you can.
Maintain a healthy diet
While we mentioned above the importance of fiber in your diet, there are many other nutrients that you will want to make sure you are incorporating into your diet to keep your veins healthy.
You want foods that contain lots of vitamin C, such as:
- Broccoli
- Strawberries
- Cauliflower
- Pineapple
- Dark leafy greens
- Brussels sprouts
- Oranges
- Bell peppers
Also, be sure to incorporate foods with vitamin E, such as:
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Avocados
- Olive oil
- Pumpkin
- Mangos
- Dark leafy greens
- Fish
By maintaining a healthy diet, you are maintaining a healthy weight, which keeps the pressure off your veins. The more pounds you pack on, the more you’re forcing your veins to work in order to keep the blood flowing as it should.
Rather than suffer the numerous effects of being overweight, strive to keep your diet one that is healthy and full of nutrients so that your veins can properly do their job.
Make it a habit to wear compression stockings
If you know that you are already susceptible to vein problems, it is in your best interest to get some compression stockings and regularly wear them.
Whether you have suffered vein problems before, know that vein issues run in your genes, or are expecting your hormones to change due to something such as pregnancy, compression stockings will help you out.
These funky socks help to contract your leg muscles that surround your veins in order to keep your blood flowing back up to your heart as it normally should, but sometimes can’t with damaged veins.
It’s also a good idea to wear compression stockings when flying or traveling for long periods of time. Sitting for long can cause your blood to pool, and vein problems to begin.
Seek vein treatment
If you notice your veins are not working as they should or that something feels off, you don’t want to risk it — have a vein specialist check it out. The earlier you catch vein problems, the better; they will continue to get worse if you aren’t changing your habits and aren’t halting further damage to your veins.
The doctors at USA Vein Clinics are among the most highly-trained and capable doctors in the field, and have helped thousands and thousands of patients get their health back with our treatments.
Interested in reading more about how you can use diet and exercise to keep your veins healthy? Explore our collection of healthy lifestyle topics.
Medically Reviewed By:
Dr. Yan Katsnelson is a philanthropist, business owner, and highly skilled cardiac surgeon. He is the Founder and CEO of USA Vein Clinics, which is part of USA Clinics Group, the parent company of USA Fibroid Centers, USA Vascular Centers, and USA Oncology Centers, with more than 100 facilities nationwide. Dr. Yan has established himself as a strong advocate for accessibility and affordability of the most advanced medical care close to home. His mission is to create a positive experience for each patient with compassionate, personalized, and expert care.
