HOW YOUR DIET CAN IMPACT YOUR VEIN HEALTH

Written By Lexington Vein Institute

Published On February 1, 2021

Were you recently diagnosed with varicose veins? Are you wondering what you can do to improve your situation?

For better or worse, what we eat affects our overall health. Good nutrition is a vital component for any plan to improve vein health. 

In this article, we’ll explore the basics of vein disease and how a proper diet can improve your prognosis. 

Vein Disease

As part of the circulatory system, healthy arteries and veins work together to pump blood throughout your body. When this system is over-stressed and things don’t flow smoothly, vein disease can occur. 

Signs of vein disease can include:

  • Spider veins
  • Varicose veins
  • Itching or burning calves
  • Leg wounds that don’t heal
  • Swollen ankles or legs
  • Difficulty standing for long periods of time

Vein disease doesn’t currently have a cure and tends to be progressive over time. Left untreated, poor blood circulation can lead to other negative health consequences. 

Small diet changes can have big results. Drink water to help keep your circulatory system in check. Pile your plate high with green veggies for all the anti-inflammatory benefits. 

Blood Clots

Blood clots can form for a multitude of reasons, but vein disease increases your risk factors. Both Superficial Thrombophlebitis and Deep Vein Thrombosis can be dangerous to your health. If you notice any of the following symptoms, be sure to contact your primary care physician or local Emergency Room immediately.

Symptoms include: 

  • Pain
  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Skin redness/heat
  • Faintness
  • Increased Heart Rate
  • Unexplained Fever
  • Calf or Foot Pain

Certain foods are known to be natural blood thinners and can help to lower your risk of blood clots. Consider adding a few of the following to your regular diet: 

  • Turmeric
  • Ginger
  • Cayenne
  • Vitamin E
  • Garlic
  • Cinnamon

Venous Ulcers

Venous ulcers are wounds on the skin, usually located near varicose veins, that don’t heal as they should. The poor circulation in these areas of the body makes it more difficult for wounds to heal. What can you do to improve circulation?

Consider a diet change. High phenol foods such as pomegranates and berries are strong vasodilators which mean improved circulation for you. Citrus fruits contain a healthy dose of antioxidants which are known to improve blood pressure and artery stiffness, resulting in better blood flow. 

Risk Factors for Developing Vein Disease

Vein disease is a common ailment among both men and women. However, women experience this diagnosis about twice as often as men. Other risk factors include: 

  • Being Overweight
  • Over 50-years-old
  • Family History of the Disease
  • Pregnancy
  • Inactive Lifestyle
  • Sitting or Standing for Long Periods of time

Contact Us for Improved Vein Health

If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with vein disease, now is not the time to despair. Take a proactive stance, and give us a call at Lexington Vein Institute for better vein health. 

We are committed to helping you get to the root cause of your vascular issues, so they don’t become a recurrent problem. Working together, we can help you reach your optimal health goals.

You May Also Like

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SCLEROTHERAPY?

AM I A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR SCLEROTHERAPY?

If you're asking, "What is sclerotherapy?" the answer is it's a treatment to eliminate varicose veins and spider veins. Do you suffer from painful varicose veins in your legs or elsewhere on your body? Are you embarrassed to wear a skirt or shorts, even when...

read more
HOW TO CARE FOR VARICOSE VEINS IN THE WINTER

HOW TO CARE FOR VARICOSE VEINS IN THE WINTER

So another year has rolled around and you've avoided wearing those pretty dresses or shorts as much as possible. Varicose veins affect a lot of people, and while they're not generally harmful, they can be a confidence killer and may painfully flare up in winter. ...

read more
6 INDOOR EXERCISES THAT CAN HELP YOUR VARICOSE VEINS

6 INDOOR EXERCISES THAT CAN HELP YOUR VARICOSE VEINS

When you're young, no one tells you that one day your veins will stretch out due to pools of blood in your legs. Most adults are frighteningly unprepared for the aging process.  Aging is a natural part of human life. However, that doesn't mean there are some...

read more
ARE VARICOSE VEINS GENETICS?

ARE VARICOSE VEINS GENETICS?

Like so many chronic conditions, varicose veins may be in your genes. If a parent, grandparent, or other close family member has varicose veins, your odds of developing those enlarged, painful veins on your legs greatly increases. Heredity & Varicose Veins It’s...

read more
EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF VENOUS ULCERS

EARLY WARNING SIGNS OF VENOUS ULCERS

Varicose veins can have a variety of undesirable side effects. In some cases, they can lead to ulcers in the skin surrounding the veins. If you have recently discovered any changes in the color or texture of your skin, then you might be experiencing venous ulcers....

read more
CAN ATHLETES GET DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS?

CAN ATHLETES GET DEEP VEIN THROMBOSIS?

Older people and frequent flyers aren’t the only ones at risk for deep vein thrombosis. Young, healthy athletes are known to experience blood clots in the leg. Deep vein thrombosis usually strikes older people or frequent travelers, who sit in cramped seats for long...

read more
DOES MAGNESIUM HELP RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME?

DOES MAGNESIUM HELP RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME?

Patients who suffer from restless leg syndrome (RLS) actively seek remedies for the twitching as well as cramping that keeps them up at night. If you are one of the thousands of Americans who deal with RLS on a nightly basis, you've possibly come across several...

read more
RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME: SYMPTOMS & CAUSES

RESTLESS LEG SYNDROME: SYMPTOMS & CAUSES

Restless legs syndrome (RLS) is a condition that causes an uncontrollable urge to move your legs, usually because of an uncomfortable sensation. It typically happens in the evening or nighttime hours when you're sitting or lying down. Moving eases, the unpleasant...

read more
COMMON TYPES OF VARICOSE VEINS

COMMON TYPES OF VARICOSE VEINS

Varicose veins are enlarged on knotted veins that most often appear due to abnormally high pressure on the veins. Most of the time, they appear on the thighs, ankles, and feet. While varicose veins aren't always pleasing to look at, their negative aspects go far...

read more
WHAT IS ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION THERAPY?

WHAT IS ENDOVENOUS LASER ABLATION THERAPY?

Endovenous laser ablation therapy (EVLT) is used to treat varicose veins.  It uses lasers, catheters, and ultrasound to help diminish the unsightly veins.  This is usually used on veins that are still fairly straight and not all twisted as some veins can...

read more