Diet Plan for Varicose Veins

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins, also known as varicose or varicosities, occur when your veins become enlarged, dilated, and overfilled with blood. Varicose veins typically appear swollen and raised, and have a bluish-purple or red color. They are often painful. In most cases, varicose veins appear on the lower legs. In short, they are swollen, twisted veins that you can see just under the skin. The condition is very common, especially in women.

 

Causes of varicose veins

Varicose veins occur when veins aren’t functioning properly. Veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When these valves fail, blood begins to collect in the veins rather than continuing toward your heart. The veins then enlarge. Varicose veins often affect the legs as the veins there are the farthest from your heart, and gravity makes it harder for the blood to flow upward.

Top 5 reasons - why people develop varicose veins

Age

Though it is a myth that only older people develop varicose veins, it is true that the older you get, the more likely you are to develop varicose veins, especially when you hit the age of 50 and over. This is due to the fact that as you age, your veins wear and weaken more, and thus are more susceptible to developing varicose veins.

Genes

This one is completely out of your control — if you have a history of varicose veins in your family, then chances are good you’ll get them too.

Hormones

Changes in hormones have been proven to increase your chances of developing varicose veins. This is particularly true when pregnant or when going through menopause. Pregnancy causes the amount of blood in a woman’s system to multiply greatly, thus adding pressure to her veins, which oftentimes leads to enlargement of the veins and, you guessed it, varicose veins.

Sedentary lifestyle

One of the worst things for your health all around is a sedentary lifestyle, but it is especially damaging to your vein health. When you sit or stand for long periods of time, you cause your veins to work overtime to keep the blood properly flowing to your heart and throughout the rest of your body.

Obesity

The extra weight in your body puts extra pressure on your veins, which oftentimes causes varicose veins to form. And the scariest part about being obese with varicose veins is that oftentimes, people can’t even see the varicose veins due to the excess fat they’re carrying around.

However, obesity is one of the leading causes of varicose veins that you can actually do something about. Unlike hormones, genes, and age, obesity is something that can be controlled.

You have the power in your hands to keep yourself healthy, and that begins with your diet.

Prevention

The following changes may help prevent varicose veins from forming or becoming worse:

• Avoid standing for extended periods of time
• Lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
• Exercise to improve your circulation
• Dietary Changes

What to eat to keep your veins healthy?

Avocados

Avocados are loaded with vitamins C and E, which are known to be great for vein health. Glutathione is also present in avocados, and this is known to protect your arteries and your veins.

Beets

Not only are beets a nice colorful addition to your plate, but they are also a great addition to your diet for vein health. This vegetable is filled with a phytochemical compound that helps lower the levels of a naturally-occurring amino acid in your body that can sometimes attack blood vessels.

Asparagus

Asparagus is full of a number of vitamins and minerals including: Vitamin A, C, E, K, fiber, folate, and many others to count.

Rosemary

Known to get circulation moving again, rosemary is a great herb to add to your diet to help your veins work properly.

Ginger

Ginger is a great thing to have on hand for a number of ailments. Ginger has been known for centuries to increase circulation, and the same is still true today.

Rutin-filled foods

Rutin is a flavonoid that helps lower cholesterol and blood pressure, as well as keep your veins strong. In addition to all this, the flavonoid is also anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant, and helps to prevent blood clots.

Moreover, We at Nutrishilp are there to help you while coping up with varicose veins with our nutritional and dietary assistance.