Why do varicose veins occur? Though varicose veins are often seen as a natural symptom of aging, they’re more often caused by poor vein health. When veins can no longer support and pump blood properly, the blood begins to pool in them. Over time, this creates a small, spidery network of new veins close to the surface of your skin. Not only are these veins unsightly, but they can be painful and irritating. By improving your vein health, you can decrease your chances of getting varicose veins. Here are a few tips for improving your vein health.
Eat A Low Calorie Diet
Varicose veins are far more likely to emerge in individuals who are overweight or obese. If you’re currently overweight, you may want to start a nutritious, healthy diet plan that will lead to weight loss. High-fiber, low-carbohydrate, and reduced-sugar diets can all help you lose weight and reduce the appearance of varicose veins.
That being said, you often don’t want to cut too many calories at once; your body has an upper limit regarding how much weight it can lose in a healthy fashion. Better overall diet habits are often more sustainable than a crash diet. Some high calorie foods should be avoided if you want to lose weight, including deep fried foods, soda, alcohol, and processed foods with high amounts of sugar.
Eat Some Bioflavinoids
Bioflavinoids are plant pigments that can also improve vein health. These nutrients can be found in a lot of fresh produce. A few good sources include eggplant, mango, spinach, bell peppers, garlic, and broccoli. Bioflavinoids reduce inflammation, which not only causes varicose veins but can also make existing varicose veins grow larger or begin to ache. Bioflavinoids will also stimulate the blood flow throughout your body, making it less likely that you will form varicose veins at all.
Avoid Salt
Some levels of salt are healthy for your body, but excess levels of salt will increase your blood pressure and put extra strain on your veins and your heart. If you’ve noticed that your blood pressure is high lately, salt may be the reason. Many processed and restaurant foods contain a great deal of salt in the form of sodium, so sticking to a diet that is high in fresh vegetables and fruit can help you naturally reduce your sodium intake. The current recommendation is to limit sodium intake to less than 2000mg per day. Many Americans consume 2-3 times that amount daily.
Drink More Water
Dehydration can have a negative impact on many areas throughout your body, including your veins. Improved hydration will improve your blood flow, while also naturally cutting down on the amount that you eat by reducing your feelings of hunger.
Avoid Potentially Constipating Foods
One of the causes of varicose veins is constipation. Constipation will put pressure on your body and your veins, and chronic constipation will lead to damaged veins over time. A multitude of foods can contribute to constipation, including red meat, starches, cheese, milk, and bananas. If you’re finding yourself dealing with constipation frequently, you may want to consult your physician.
Varicose veins don’t have to be debilitating. Schedule an appointment with Vascular Surgeon Dr. Andrew Hearn for expert vein care. At The Vein Center of Cincinnati, Dr. Hearn provides the latest, most advanced vein treatments to maintain or improve your vein health. During your initial consultation, Dr. Hearn will take the time to help you understand the underlying cause of your discomfort, explain your treatment options, and then guide you through every step of your procedure and recovery. Call our office today at (513) 232-2400, you’ll be glad you did!