Varicose veins appear close to the skin's surface and are veins that have become twisted or enlarged. They can often appear like a large knot and normally occur on legs and ankles. Interestingly women often suffer with them more than men. Although they are a sign of unhealthy veins, their unsightly appearance is usually most people's biggest concern with them.
So in this video we'll explore the top 10 ways to prevent them from forming. We’ll discuss how hormones play a role in their development, as well as reveal some amazing oils, herbs and plants that can have a significant impact in preventing them forming.
Veins are the vessels which carry blood from our extremities back to the heart. In order for them to work properly they need muscles to contract to push the blood back to the heart.
Issues such as :
- Poor blood flow
- Weak connective tissue
- And weak circulatory tissue.
Can contribute to the formation of varicose veins.
Furthermore blood moves towards the heart by one-way valves in the veins. If the valves become weakened or damaged, blood can collect in the veins. This results in the veins becoming enlarged.
It's believed that long periods of sitting or standing are one of the main contributing factors of varicose veins, however there are other causes and solutions which we’ll discuss in this video.
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First off it's important to understand that varicose veins are more common if you are:
- Overweight
- Pregnant
- Female
- Older
- A smoker
- Taking oral contraceptives
- Having Hormone Replacement Therapy
- leading a Sedentary lifestyle.
Plus leg injuries can cause them.
Aside from the cosmetic issue caused by varicose veins, there's also the issue that they can be related to blood clotting. Plus it's an indication of a blood flow problem. Having optimal blood flow is key for a robust cardiovascular system. So let's look at what can be done to help keep blood flowing optimally and prevent varicose veins from forming.
Number 10 Not Sitting or Standing For Extended Periods of Time
As we already mentioned sitting or standing for extended periods of time is associated with the formation of varicose veins.
This is because being in one position for a long time can impact blood flow. Also muscles are used to push the blood back to the heart. If they are weakened or not being used this can result in blood pooling and creating varicose veins.
Therefore it's important to assist blood flow back to the heart.
If you’re doing a job or activity where you have to stand for a long period of time try and keep your legs moving. This could be done by doing heel or calf raises and stretching your legs whenever possible.
If you have to work at a desk then try taking short breaks to stretch your legs.
Additionally, avoid sitting with crossed legs. This can further compromise blood flow and can increase circulation issues.
Our next way to help the blood get back to the heart with ease is
Number 9 Elevating Your Legs
Spending some time each day elevating your legs enables gravity to do some of the work for you. It can also help reduce the pressure in the veins.
To do this lie on your back and put your legs up against the wall.
Do this three or four times a day for about 15 minutes at a time.
It's especially relaxing to do before bed.
This will help to encourage the blood to flow easily back to your heart and can help stop pooling of blood in veins which can lead to varicosity.
Now for
Number 8 Compression Stockings
These help improve blood flow. And can help to reduce pain and swelling in the legs.
They are commonly used to help reduce the chances of blood clots and ease symptoms of circulation issues such as varicose veins.
A 2018 Greek study looked at the effect of wearing compression stockings on participants who suffered with varicose veins. They found a reported reduction in aching and pain associated with varicose veins in those who used knee-high compression stockings with a pressure of 18 to 21 millimeters of mercury for a week.
If you suffer with varicose veins, be sure to use these stockings. They should specifically be worn if you are standing or sedentary for a long period of time.
They can be purchased from most pharmacies or online.
Next up we’re going to discover how topically applying oils can help improve the symptoms of varicose veins.
Number 7 Essential Oils
Using essential oils is a great natural way to treat numerous conditions, but did you know that they can assist with blood flow?
For example; Cypress essential oil can be used topically on the area where varicose or spider veins are occurring. Mix 5 drops of Cypress oil with 5 drops of witch hazel and rub it onto the affected area a few times a day. Cypress oil can help with your circulation, encouraging the blood to flow toward your heart.
Plus witch hazel contains antioxidants and other naturally-occurring compounds. These have been shown to help ease swelling and tenderness as well as help shrink varicose veins.
Applying these oils can ease swelling and the heaviness associated with varicose veins.
Using these therapeutic oils topically can be a great way to treat varicose veins. But what about what we put in our bodies?
Let's discover which foods can help to improve blood flow and ease varicosity
Number 6...Eat Potassium Rich Foods
Eating foods that are high in salt without enough potassium can cause an imbalance of sodium in the body. This causes fluid retention.
Having excess fluid in the body can result in circulation problems as well as increase blood pressure. Both of which can lead to varicose veins.
In order to have the correct balance of sodium and potassium ensure you're eating plenty of potassium rich foods.
These include:
- Avocado
- Banana
- Green leafy vegetables
- Potatoes
- And nuts such as almonds and pistachios.
Now We’re about to discover our top 5 way to treat varicose veins, and we’ll learn how one type of food can help repair veins as well as reduce wrinkles
But first If you want to learn more about improving your cardiovascular health then why not download our free ebook "The Surprising Truth About Fat And Cholesterol"
Plus… Get exclusive insights from some of the world's leading medical and nutritional professionals...
By watching the First Episode of "The Untold Story of Heart Disease".
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So go and claim them for free now.
Number 5 Plant Extracts
The first plant extract that can be beneficial for problems with the veins is sea pine extract. This has been studied and found to be beneficial for a variety of vascular conditions such as:
- Blood pressure
- Hemorrhoids
- And varicose veins
In a study using standardized pine bark extract (SPBE) researchers compared taking 100 mg per day of SPBE to elastic compression stockings in 133 postpartum women who had varicose veins. The pine bark extract outperformed the compression stockings in a variety of ways.
The participants who used the pine bark extract had greater improvements in
- Swelling
- Spider veins
- And cramps
Another plant extract that has been found to treat varicose veins is
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut which is also known as Aesculus hippocastanum L has been proven to significantly help with spider and varicose veins. The principal element in horse chestnut is called aescin.
This helps improve:
- absorption of nutrients
- absorption of oxygen
- and the integrity of the blood vessel walls.
A 2015 review found 9 studies which demonstrated that participants who consumed 600 mg of horse chestnut that contained 50 mg of aescin for up to 8 weeks decreased symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency such as:
- Leg pain
- Swelling
- And itchy legs.
Furthermore horse chestnut extract is rich in antioxidants that can help keep cells functioning optimally.
That leads me to the next step to get rid of varicose veins which is
Number 4 eat lots of antioxidant rich foods
Antioxidant rich foods will help to improve cells and help prevent further damage to cells.
Be sure to include berries such as:
Bilberries and blueberries.
Bilberry is especially helpful for circulation issues. Other antioxidant rich foods are citrus fruits which are also rich in vitamin C.
Vitamin C also helps the body to make collagen. Collagen is used by our body to:
- Keep skin elastic and wrinkle free
- Restore connective tissue
- Keep joints healthy
- And enables blood vessel walls to be supple
Because collagen is vital for our blood vessel walls and connective tissue our
Number 3 is... consume collagen
Consuming collagen rich foods such as bone broth helps to restore connective tissue.
As we mentioned varicose veins can be caused by weak connective tissue which is why having plenty of collagen in your diet can help this condition.
You can ensure you’re getting collagen in your diet by drinking bone broth, and using bone broth in your soups, curries and stews.
Another way to get collagen in your diet is by using a collagen protein powder. Add it to shakes, smoothies, tea or coffee.
It is normally flavourless so is perfect for those who are sensitive to flavours or don’t like bone broth.
Next up an essential way to improve blood flow is
Number 2 Move Your Body
Keeping your body active is a great way to improve blood flow.
Moving your body helps to push along the blood that has collected in the veins therefore aiding to reduce the severity of varicose veins.
Additionally exercising aids to lower blood pressure.
Elevated blood pressure is another major risk associated with varicose veins.
If you don't exercise already then start with some low impact options such as;
- walking
- swimming
- and stretching.
As your fitness levels increase you can add in higher impact options. Adding in weight bearing exercises can help improve cell structure.
Regular exercise can also help balance out hormones which we’re about to discover the importance of, as we unveil the number 1 way to treat varicose veins naturally
But before we do…
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Number 1 Balance Hormones
We already know that:
- pregnancy
- taking oral contraception
- hormone replacement therapy
- and being overweight
are all common causes of varicose veins.
But what do these all have in common?
Interestingly they all affect our hormones. Studies have shown that high levels of estrogen can damage the small valves inside the veins. If the valves are damaged this compromises blood flow and the blood can begin to pool in legs and ankles.
Estrogen is the main hormone used in birth control pills and in hormone replacement therapy. When this hormone is increased it can have a two fold effect.
Firstly it can disrupt the function of the veins walls and secondly cause the valves inside the veins to no longer work optimally. Thus often resulting in varicose veins.
The other reproductive hormone Progesterone which becomes more dominant during pregnancy has also been found to be associated with varicose veins. Progesterone aids dilation of both veins and arterial walls. This relaxation affects optimal blood flow, and continual pressure on the sides of the blood vessels stretches the vessels out of shape, which is identified as varicose veins.
So how do we balance hormones? This can be done through:
- Losing excess weight
- Taking specific herbs
- Eating enough protein
- Having plenty of fiber with each meal
- Avoiding synthetic personal care products
If your hormones are out of whack then be sure to work with your health care practitioner to balance them out.
That sums up our top 10 ways to Treat Varicose veins. Be sure to let our community know if you have tried any of these methods and which ones have helped the most.
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