Varicose veins:
Veins bring blood back to the heart. Defects in the vein walls and excessive pressure lead to dilation of the vein and damage to the valves. When a valve becomes damaged, it results in a bulging vein.
Top related causes:
Loss of muscle mass
Pregnancy stressors
Excessive activity without adequate nourishment/recovery.
Lifestyle tips for treatment
Elevating legs on the wall. This is a great stretch to add to your routine. Light some incense/music/relax. Place a pillow near where the wall-meets-the-floor. Put your bum on the pillow and bring your legs elevated on the wall. Stay here, start 5 mins, then work your way up to 15. Only after a few minutes, when the muscles relax, will the benefits really be flowing. The closer the pillow is to the wall, the more your hamstrings and tips of toes will be able to detoxify.
Massage & apply nourishing creams, such as shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, olive oil. Opt for natural oils versus lotions with unknown ingredients. Nourishing oils can provide fatty acids that can replenish the vein walls.
Diet = FRESH FOODS:
Many packaged boxed and canned 'foodstuff', contain less overall nutrients or “living” nourishment. Try eating a freshly prepared and locally grown diet, related to the season.
Protein & quality of amino acids:
Ensure protein requirements are adequate:
For women - at least 25-30g of BIOAVAILABLE protein at each mealtime.
For men- at least 35-40g of BIOAVAILABLE protein at each mealtime.
If intense activity was endured, an additional 25-40g dump of protein (and 50-100g of sugar/simple carb) within 20 mins of activity.
Ideally we eat 3 meal times per day. That means women are getting 75-100g+ of protein per day and men are getting 105-150g+ per day, the + is indicating more as the person is active/wanting to bulk up.
Try multiplying 1.2 to 1.7g of protein per kilogram of body weight every day.
Amino acids are the building blocks of the protein strand. Ideally we consume a variety of protein-filled foods to ensure we get access to all essential amino acids for our metabolism.
BIOAVAILABLE AMINO ACIDS: Please note BIOAVAILABLE means amino acids that are readily available to our body, related to the efficiency of our digestion. E.g plant foods contain INCOMPLETE protein strands, whereas animal foods contain COMPLETE protein strands.
VARIETY OF AMINO ACIDS: Processing foods can break protein strands, rendering some amino acids damaged. We must give our body access to quality protein and from there it can create all the needed amino acids. Ideally that is a mixture of both animal and plant foods throughout the day at our meal times.
About varicose vein development
Straining the system, without smooth digestion, raises pressure in the abdomen, obstructing blood flow up the legs. Symptoms of this are cool feet and the development of varicose veins and hemorrhoids, eventually diverticuli.
FIBER & FAT:
A diet rich in naturally occurring fibers and wholesome fats; found in fruits, vegetables, grains, legumes and animal foods will naturally promote peristalsis- the rhythmic movement of the GI tract muscles. Fiber attracts water which hydrates the stool/gives it shape for easy movement, whereas oils lubricate the transport to prevent strain.
Home-ground flaxseed or psyllium husk can be added onto toast, cereal, yogurt or added into baking, as well, apples, boiled potatoes. Whole fresh foods naturally contain fiber, versus mass processed foods tend to refine it out.
Full fat dairy products, eggs and natural saturated oils for cooking; such as butter, ghee, lard, tallow, coconut to lubricate the system.
FLAVONOIDS:
Berries such as hawthorn, cherries, blueberries, blackcurrants, and blackberries are beneficial for the vascular system- they contain proanthocyanidins and anthocyanidins.
As well, traditionally pine bark (pycnogenol), horse chestnut, and gotu kola are found in therapeutic supplement blends.
SPICES:
Individuals with varicose veins have a decreased ability to break down fibrin, which is deposited near the varicose vein causing the skin to become lumpy, hard and with fatty tissue. Cayenne, garlic, onion, ginger and mustard promote fibrin breakdown.
FRUIT:
Fruits with fresh vitamin C, such as citrus, benefit a smooth circulatory system.
Especially though, the bromelain in pineapple acts as proteolytic enzymes and benefits fibrin breakdown.
As well, beets are rich in nutrients to nourish the blood and circulatory system.
HERBS:
Rosemary boosts circulation, try this in tea, culinary and infused into oil/creams for topical use.
Anti-inflammatory calendula in topical creams.
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. This blog post is made using my textbook library, notes from school and from experience working with nutrition in the wellness industry. If you would like to have more information, please email me at samantha.natureishealth@gmail.com . If I cannot assist you, I will direct you to someone who can.
Comments