VARICOSE VEINS

About Varicose Veins

Many people with varicose veins have valves which work less than well and the blood is allowed to stagnate and cause the veins to become dilated.  Weakness in the walls of the veins and toxicity of the blood (due to constipation and poor diet or digestion) also play their part.  These enlarged veins are often accompanied by nagging aches and pains, swelling, a feeling of ‘heavy legs’, itching and cramps.  

Excess weight and pregnancy can increase the risk of varicose veins, as can constipation, liver toxicity and phlebitis.  There may also be a genetic connection. After fresh blood has travelled via arteries and capillaries, delivering its oxygen, nutrients, hormones and so on to all areas of the body, it has to be returned to the lungs and heart to pick up fresh oxygen.  It does this via the veins.  Unlike the arterial circulation, which has a pump in the form of the heart, the venous circulation has no such pump.  The blood is pushed up the veins of the legs by muscular movement squeezing the spent blood upwards against gravity.  One-way valves in the veins then prevent the blood from dropping down again. 

Nutrition Facts & Diet Advice for Varicose Veins

Consider the following nutrition guidelines:

	Eat a high fibre diet to prevent constipation.
	Eat a large variety of fresh fruits.  Include blueberries and all blue/red coloured berries.
	Eat plenty of fresh vegetables, of all colours.
	Avoid excessive meat – eat oily fish instead.
	Avoid saturated fats as much as possible (animal food, cheese, and hydrogenated vegetable oils)
	Avoid sugar, junk foods, salt and alcohol.
	Smoking impairs the circulation, so try not to smoke.

Other suggestions