Eating your way to better vein health

While varicose veins aren’t always preventable, there are ways to lower the risk. One way to protect yourself against vascular disease is to pay attention to your diet.

Here, we’ll look at how what you eat can impact vein health and the top foods you can add to your daily diet to reduce the risk of vein troubles.

The role of antioxidants in vein health

Oxidation can prove problematic for the veins. When molecules and oxygen mix in the body, it causes the function and structure of the molecules to change. This can lead to the development of free radicals, which can encourage plaque rupture, blood clots and atherosclerosis.

Antioxidants are used to fight off free radicals in the body. So, by eating a diet rich in antioxidants, you can reduce these risks to vein health.

Could the Mediterranean Diet be key?

The Mediterranean Diet has long been advertised for its health benefits. Due to its high antioxidant content, it’s unsurprising that it is often recommended for enhanced vein health.

Skinless poultry, fish, whole grains, vegetables and low-fat dairy are the main staples of the diet. Although it can’t guarantee you won’t develop varicose veins if you follow it, the diet certainly has vein health benefits that can’t be ignored.

What foods should varicose vein sufferers avoid?

When overhauling your diet, it’s not just a case of what you should eat for better vein health, but also which food groups to avoid. Refined carbs should be avoided and you should opt for complex carbohydrates such as brown rice and oats. Regular alcohol consumption can contribute to the formation and worsening of varicose veins. Foods that are high in sodium should also be limited as high levels of sodium in the blood causes the body to retain more water, putting more pressure on the veins.

Seeking treatment for varicose veins

While increasing the amount of antioxidant-rich foods in your diet can help reduce the chances of developing venous disease, it doesn’t eliminate the risk entirely. If you do suspect you have varicose veins, it’s important to seek treatment.

It’s also important to note that you can’t use a healthy diet to eliminate varicose veins if they do develop. It may be used as a preventative measure, but it won’t clear up existing venous disease issues.

There are a lot of effective varicose vein treatments out there. Some are even minimally invasive, capable of being carried out in your lunch hour. The earlier you get them treated, the less invasive the treatment will need to be. Venous disease worsens if it is left untreated so seeking a diagnosis and treatment plan early will prevent further issues caused by the condition. For more advice on the management and treatment of varicose veins, call 01872 308 520 to book a consultation at the Cornwall Vein Clinic.