VARICOSE
VEINS
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About Varicose
Veins
Many people with varicose veins have valves which work less than well
and the blood is allowed to stagnate and cause the veins to become dilated.
Weakness in the walls of the veins and toxicity of the blood (due to
constipation and poor diet or digestion) also play their part.
These enlarged veins are often accompanied by nagging aches and pains,
swelling, a feeling of ‘heavy legs’, itching and cramps.
Excess weight and pregnancy can increase the risk of varicose veins, as
can constipation, liver toxicity and phlebitis.
There may also be a genetic connection.
After
fresh blood has travelled via arteries and capillaries, delivering its oxygen,
nutrients, hormones and so on to all areas of the body, it has to be returned to
the lungs and heart to pick up fresh oxygen.
It does this via the veins. Unlike
the arterial circulation, which has a pump in the form of the heart, the venous
circulation has no such pump. The
blood is pushed up the veins of the legs by muscular movement squeezing the
spent blood upwards against gravity. One-way
valves in the veins then prevent the blood from dropping down again.
Nutrition Facts
& Diet Advice for Varicose Veins
Consider the following nutrition guidelines:
-
Eat
a high fibre diet to prevent
constipation.
-
Eat
a large variety of fresh fruits.
Include
blueberries and all blue/red coloured berries.
-
Eat
plenty of fresh vegetables, of all colours.
-
Avoid
excessive meat – eat oily fish instead.
-
Avoid
saturated fats as much as possible (animal food, cheese, and hydrogenated
vegetable oils)
-
Avoid
sugar, junk foods, salt and alcohol.
-
Smoking
impairs the circulation, so try not to smoke.
Other
suggestions
-
Lose
weight if necessary.
-
Increase
leg exercises such as walking, swimming and cycling.
-
For
20-30 minutes, lie on the floor with your legs
in an upright position
against the wall or propped
on the edge of the sofa.
-
Avoid
tight trousers, belts, etc which impede blood flow.
-
Consider
wearing supportive stockings.
-
Do
not cross legs when sitting or do heavy lifting.
Often, a combination of
supplements may help in alleviating this condition. You may
wish to consult a nutritional therapist for personal advice.
Supplements that may be helpful in alleviating symptoms are
shown below:
Bioforce Aesculus (inc Venaforce & Venagel) (A Vogel)
(varicose veins and haemorrhoids)
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