Varicose veins are the bluish-purple or red veins under the skin that are swollen, enlarged, and twisted. Varicose veins can develop in any part of the body. However, in most cases, the veins of the legs are affected because of the increased pressure on the lower body.
Varicose veins can be quite discomforting and they tend to cause a lot of pain, heaviness, and itching in the area.
The condition of varicose veins is not rare. According to researches, 23 out of every 100 adults around the world suffer from varicose veins. Women suffer from varicose veins more than men and the risk is even greater among pregnant women.
There are certain factors that contribute to the development of varicose veins. These include overweight, old age, standing or sitting for prolonged periods of time, etc. Having a family history of varicose veins also increases your risk of developing them.
There’s a saying, “You are what you eat”. This means that your diet has a major role to play in your overall health and fitness. This is applicable to the condition of varicose veins as well. A healthy diet is necessary for maintaining proper vein health and improving vein functioning.
There are a number of foods and dietary changes that you must opt for if you want to reduce your chances of developing varicose veins. In a similar manner, if you already have varicose veins, certain foods can help prevent the condition from worsening and can also prove to be effective in curing varicose veins.
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Let’s get an insight into the food items you should include in your diet to prevent or cure varicose veins.
Rutin-rich foods to reduce fragility
Foods rich in rutin work miraculously in the condition of varicose veins. Rutin is a flavonoid and has numerous positive effects on the body. Rutin is very beneficial in strengthening the capillaries. It also helps reduce their fragility and permeability, thereby preventing the development of new varicose veins.
In addition to this, rutin has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It also prevents the clotting of the blood. Foods like apple, buckwheat, grapes, cherries, blackberries, and apricots are a great source of rutin and their intake can be really beneficial for varicose veins.
Avocados have amazing effects on varicose veins
Avocados are really effective in improving the condition of varicose veins. Avocados are rich in both Vitamin C and Vitamin E. Both these vitamins significantly improve vascular health. Vitamin E helps prevent clotting of blood and also makes the blood thinner. Vitamin C has anti-inflammatory properties and is very effective.
Avocados also contain glutathione. Glutathione helps prevent oxidant damage to the blood vessels and the heart.
Thus, if you have avocados in your regular diet, it can do wonders in the condition of varicose veins.
Beets can beat varicose veins
Beets are yet another food that doctors recommend to get relief from varicose veins. High levels of an amino acid called homocysteine in the blood can damage blood vessels. Beets contain a chemical known as betacyanin that reduces the levels of homocysteine, thereby protecting the blood vessels. Beets are also a rich source of nitrates which help to improve the circulation of blood by widening the blood vessels.
Asparagus imparts vigor to veins
Asparagus works wonderfully in improving vein health. Asparagus provides you with Vitamin A, C, E and K and is also rich in a variety of minerals. It also contains high amounts of fiber, folates, and chromium. Additionally, asparagus is a rich source of calcium, phosphorus, and amino acids which are necessary for the overall fitness of the body. Asparagus helps in strengthening the blood vessels and prevents them from rupturing. Therefore, asparagus can help you significantly in varicose veins.
Ginger is the best remedy
The medicinal and health benefits of ginger have been known for hundreds of years. When it comes to varicose veins, ginger is beneficial for these too. Ginger is really helpful in curing varicose veins. Ginger has anti-inflammatory properties and significantly improves blood circulation. Moreover, ginger is quite effective in breaking down and dissolving fibrin, the protein that contributes to the veins becoming hard and lumpy. Thus, including ginger in your diet can produce significant results in the condition of varicose veins.
Chia seeds or Flaxseeds makes discomforts take a back seat
Regular intake of chia seeds or flaxseeds can help in lowering the risks of varicose veins considerably. Chia seeds and flaxseeds are rich in fibers. Therefore, these seeds ensure proper digestion and prevent constipation. They also prevent bloating so that there is no undesired excess pressure on the abdomen and lower body. Chia seeds and flaxseeds are also effective in improving vascular functioning. Thus, chia seeds or flax seeds work wonders in vanishing the discomforts associated with varicose veins.
Rosemary- A herb to curb varicose veins
Rosemary is a herb that can be really effective in curing varicose veins. It works wonderfully in improving blood circulation and thus is an excellent remedy to cure varicose veins. It also contains a compound called rosmarinic acid, which helps prevent damage to the tissues of the veins in the legs.
Foods rich in copper make your veins tougher
Foods like shellfish, sesame seeds, cashews, sunflower seeds, barley, lima beans, etc. are rich sources of copper. Copper is essential for maintaining and repairing the inner lining of the blood vessels. It also helps in the preparation of collagen which is essential for repairing blood vessels. Copper also prevents plaque from blocking the veins. Thus, increasing the intake of these copper enriched food items is a must to prevent or cure varicose veins.
Now that you’ve seen foods that you should include in your diet for relieving varicose veins, you should also know about the foods you should strictly avoid in the condition. (Also Read: Home remedies for varicose veins)
The following foods can aggravate the condition and lead to worsening of the symptoms. Thus, their intake should be minimized.
White Bread
If you have varicose veins, avoid white bread as the process of converting whole grains to white flour strips off the flavonoid and fiber content. White bread can lead to constipation which can put extra pressure on the lower body. Thus, in the condition of varicose veins, you should replace white bread with whole-wheat bread.
Canned Foods
You should strictly avoid canned foods if you are suffering from varicose veins. Canned foods usually contain a chemical called Bisphenol. This chemical is somewhat similar to estrogen which tends to worsen the condition of varicose veins. Instead of consuming canned foods, it is better to opt for fresh foods and fruits.
Excess salts and salty foods
Salty foods and excess sodium in the blood lead to the retention of more water in the body. Due to this, the volume of blood in the body increases, and it causes more veins to swell up and become varicose.
Alcohol
You should totally avoid consuming alcohol at all costs if you want to prevent varicose veins from getting worse. Alcohol has harmful effects on both the liver and the vascular system, and its intake can aggravate the condition even more.
If you follow the aforementioned dietary changes regularly, you will see significant improvements in the symptoms of varicose veins within no time. These dietary changes are very effective and can prove to be helpful in the shrinking of varicose veins.
Along with these dietary changes, remember to stay active and keep exercising regularly. This will help keep your body weight in check and will also help maintain proper blood circulation.
However, if in your case, the condition of varicose veins is serious and there are no desired results even after dietary changes and regular exercise, consult a specialist doctor.
What to do if varicose veins are serious?
In severe cases, surgery may be required. If your doctor has recommended undergoing surgery, it is very important to make a well-informed decision.
Nowadays, technically advanced procedures like laser treatment are available for varicose veins. Laser treatment is minimally invasive and does not inflict any pain. It also has a success rate as high as 100 percent. So, if you are thinking of undergoing surgery for varicose veins, laser treatment is the best choice available.
Fortunately, laser treatment for varicose veins is available at Pristyn Care. Call us immediately, book an appointment with our specialist doctors and get rid of varicose veins once and for all.
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