Varicose veins are an unpleasant problem. They are certainly unsightly and can be painful.

The basic cause of the problem is weakened walls of the blood vessels, made worse by sluggish circulation in the legs caused partly by poor muscle tone and also by excess pressure caused by constipation.

The problem can be tackled partly by change of diet, and partly by supplementation.

Diet:

Avoid caffeine, sugar, fried foods, red meats, dairy products and refined foods.

Fruit and vegetables, whole grains and pulses (beans, peas and lentils) should be increased.

All this will help to overcome constipation.

Strongly coloured fruits such as blackberries, bilberries and cherries can help. They contain large amounts of proanthocyanidins, which are known to help the integrity and elasticity of blood vessels.

Supplements:

Certain supplements have been shown to help considerably:

¨      The herb Butchers Broom has a powerful astringent effect, which helps bring down the inflamed veins. Suggested dose 500mg 3 times per day.

¨      Vitamin C 500mg with bioflavonoids 500mg: The combination helps to make blood vessel walls stronger and more elastic. Suggested dose 1 tablet twice per day. Extra vitamin C up to 2000mg per day without bioflavonoids may help further.

¨      Vitamin E 200iu; this will help circulation. Suggested dose 1 capsule per day for two weeks, increasing to one capsule twice per day if no high blood pressure is experienced.

¨      Pine bark and grapeseed extracts: This remarkable pair of supplements, that has powerful antioxidant effects and ability to help connective tissue repair, has been reported by one of our customers to have completely eliminated her varicose veins.

¨      Horse Chestnut (Aesculus): This herb reduces oedema, has anti-inflammatory effects, and reduces capillary fragility. It also keeps blood vessel walls more elastic.

¨      Gotu Kola: This herb has similar effects to pine bark extract.

¨      Bromelain: Breaks down fibrin (see below)

¨      Serrapeptase: Breaks down fibrin (see below)

Note:

It has been found that people with people with varicose veins have a decreased ability to break down fibrin. Fibrin is the substance that is needed for blood clotting, and is also deposited in the tissues near varicose veins, causing lumps of fibrin and fat. Garlic, onion, ginger and cayenne help to reduce fibrin activity, and should be freely consumed.

Bromelain (from pineapples) has a similar effect. A newer and rather more effective aid is serrapeptase.

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