Healthy Diet for Varicose Veins

Weight Watching Can Be A Very Good Thing

While there is no guaranteed method to avoid varicose veins, there are some practical things which can be done to reduce the risk of developing varicose veins or adding to those already existing.  Among those tried and true methods are such things as exercise, diet, paying attention to clothing, staying in motion, elevating the legs and keeping the legs uncrossed.

Weight watching has become a particularly well attended event in most countries as women in particular endeavor to measure themselves against sometimes unrealistic criteria.  However, in the case of varicose veins, watching one's weight is often an excellent way to avoid serious complications.  By losing excess weight, pressure on the veins is lessened and relief is the benefit.

Watch That Salt!

Even if a person eats in a relatively healthy fashion, a bit of extra attention to such things as salt and fiber can go a long way to ensuring good vein health.  Most raw food, and definitely all canned food, has adequate salt in them to ensure the right level of salt intake per day.  It is not always necessary to salt food - be creative and use spices instead.  Increased levels of salt in the diet can create swelling which often results from water retention, a direct result of sodium in the diet.  This is especially true for pregnant women.

Nuts, Flakes and Berries

Fiber, available in large quantities from fresh fruits and vegetables, can help ensure a good constitution by reducing incidents of constipation. A healthy bowel habit keeps pressure from building in the lower body, helps to end strenuous bowel movements and overall keeps the colon functioning well.  A well balanced diet which includes whole grains, seeds, nuts, raw vegetables and fresh fruits are a good line of defense against varicose veins.  Rich compounds which have the potential to prevent varicose veins or at least lessen the discomfort of them, are found in blackberries and cherries.  Avoiding such things as salty condiments, alcohol, strong coffee and tea, white flour and white sugar can also help prevent the appearance of varicose veins. 

Certain vitamins and minerals have been found effective if included in the diet to help alleviate varicose vein symptoms.  Vitamins A & C help with healing, skin integrity and circulation.  B-Complex is a good way to help maintain strong blood vessels.  Rutin, a bioflavonoid which is present in many fruits including citrus fruits, apricots, blueberries, cherries and rosehips, has been proven helpful in the treatment of varicose veins.  Vitamin E improves circulations, relieves pain and can sometimes correct varicosities.