Eating Right for Healthy Veins – A Few Actionable Tips from Vein Specialists

Keeping vein health and good circulation in mind can help you be a healthier person, live longer, and maintain a healthy diet. There is a strong link between varicose veins and diet. In a previous post, we talked about some of the things you can avoid in your day to day life and we got some great feedback. Here is part 2 of eating to live.

Drink more water

It’s an easy one here that we’re starting off with. DRINK MORE WATER! Varicose vein symptoms have been directly linked to hydration levels. Water is arguably the most important part of any good diet, especially ones high in fiber. Water helps fiber do its job. The combination of the two will flush your system and reduce cramps and bloating.

• Start every day with a glass of water in the morning – try for at least a full cup
• Buy the biggest bottle of water you can find at the store and keep it with you at your desk or workspace all day. Always having water close by is an easy way to remind yourself.
• For the tech-savvy, Smartphone apps like My Water Balance can help you to track your water intake throughout the day and give you reminders to stay hydrated.
• If you think water is boring (we all do), try adding a little bit of flavor. Slices of lemon and cucumber can make water delicious. Fusion bottles can help you turn your water strawberry flavored, raspberry flavored, or anything else you can imagine!

Antioxidants are good for veins

What do antioxidants do?

Antioxidants have a ton of different health benefits; not just for veins either. proper levels of antioxidants in a diet will promote healthy skin, immune system, heart, eyes, memory, and mood. The list goes on and on. These are powerful substances found in many foods.

Antioxidants prohibit the oxidation of their molecules in the body. These benefits are very important to good health. If free radicals are not challenged by healthy nutrition,  they can lead to a wide variety of illness and chronic disease.

What is a free radical?

Free radicals are uneven atoms that are chemically unbalanced. Once formed, they can start a chain reaction in the body, damaging other cells and organs in the process. Their main danger happens when they come in contact with important cellular components such as DNA or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs. Antioxidants fight free radicals and prevent them from doing harm to the body.

What does all this mean?

Basically, what this all means is we need to diet to stay healthy. Veins are just like the rest of the body. If proper nutrition and antioxidant levels are not achieved, the human body can see some nasty side effects.

Colorful Eating is Healthy Eating

As a reliable every day tip – eat colorful if you want to heat healthy. That’s that most nutritious foods. Fruits, vegetables, and legumes are the most colorful foods around. Some of the best foods for vein nutrition and circulation in this category are:

• Broccoli
• Brussels Sprouts
• Mango
• Papaya
• Garlic
• Spinach
• Bell Peppers (orange, green, red)
• Sweet Peppers
• Oranges

When eating fruits and veggies, try to eat them raw as much as possible. Raw “living” nutrients are the most potent. Mixing them in with a salad and a little bitt of dressing is a great way to make them more enjoyable. Try eating a nice veggie-full salad once a day before dinner or other meals. It can make a big difference!

Fiber Promotes Healthy Weight and Good Digestion

 Fiber is a crucial element for any balanced nutritional diet, but when talking about vein health it becomes even more important. A balanced diet and healthy digestion are highly dependent on fiber intake. It can also help to reduce the risks of high cholesterol, which can directly affect the vascular system.

Fiber is great at helping reduce the risk of disorders that can, in turn, affect your vascular system. Below is some additional information on fiber.

High-fiber diets can promote a healthy weight. Healthy weight reduces the risk of varicose veins.

Some sources of fiber are:

• Barley
• Brown Rice
• Popped Corn
• Whole Wheat Flour
• Oatmeal

Replace sugary snacks and candles with fruit instead. Fruit is packed with nutrients and high in fiber. Fiber will keep you full longer. Antioxidants reinforce veins.

Minimize Sodium Intake

Sodium is very easy to eat excessively. There is salt in everything and salt is added to everything. Try to work each day to minimize sodium intake. Check the nutritional facts before eating supposedly “healthy” snacks, as they are often packed with milligrams of sodium. Cold cuts, salad dressings, condiments, and sauces are often packed with sodium. Go for the “low-sodium” options when you can.

Sodium can negatively impact blood pressure, which will cause unnecessary strain on the vascular systems. When blood pressure is very high, the vein walls can have stress on them. When veins have high stress in extreme situations, they can burst.