Varicose veins are the price we pay for standing upright. Because veins are part of a low-pressure system for returning stale blood to the heart, they are not very sturdy. Nonetheless they have to cope with a much greater pressure of blood than those of an animal that walks on all fours. As a result, their walls become stretched and distorted, forming the familiar wormlike varicosities of the legs. Anything that interferes with the return of blood through the veins, such as prolonged standing, pregnancy, constipation and excess weight, will tend to increase the pressure and therefore the predisposition to varicose veins. Varicose veins also tend to run in families, or may happen some years after a deep-vein thrombosis.
As varicose veins are the result of sluggish blood flow, you may be able to alleviate the problem by eating foods which help to tone and stimulate the circulatory system and encourage blood to flow more freely. Because excess weight increases the pressure on internal organs, it can encourage the development of varicose veins, particularly around the anus, so it makes good sense to lose weight if this seems to be necessary.
Onions, garlic, eggs and asparagus are all rich in sulphur and appear to have a beneficial effect on blood by reducing its tendency to clot, so it is worth including more of them in your diet whenever you can. Zinc-rich foods, such as shellfish, wholegrains and seeds, will help boost your overall wellbeing, as small quantities of this mineral are required in over 200 body functions, including growth and wound healing. A balanced and varied diet which is based around fiber-rich foods, fruit, vegetables and juices may also help to slow the development of varicose veins, Vitamin C and flavonoids are especially important as they help to strengthen the walls of your blood vessels: so focus on getting plenty of fruit, particularly kiwi fruit, strawberries and citrus fruit; or try making your own juices for a change. Provided that you eat moderate portions and steer clear of high-fat and sugary foods, you should begin to lose weight at a healthy rate, especially if you become more physically active at the same time.
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