Foods to Prevent Varicose Veins

Submitted by Elizabeth on August 4, 2010

Another common name for Varicose veins is spider veins and this is because of their appearance. Usually it is most common in women and is caused as a result of hereditary genes. It usually happens with age and might start appearing after the woman has turned over forty. The reason they form is because the valves in the veins become faulty with age and are unable to prevent the blood from rushing back into the veins. The varicose veins usually form in the legs and around the ankles as these are the veins which are the most far from the heart and hence it is even more difficult for the heart to pump the blood up.

The good news is that varicose veins are not harmful to a person but the problem is that they can be painful and make it difficult to even stand or walk. Another problem the person faces is as a result of the sight of the veins. They are usually purplish – blue in color and run across the length of the leg in a spindly manner.

The appearance is similar to that of cobwebs. To cover them up, a woman might wear pants or stockings. Unfortunately there are no foods that can help prevent varicose veins.

Some people are just more prone to develop it than others depending on their genetic build. There are a number of things one can do to prevent the occurrence of the veins though – make sure to get an adequate amount of exercise. This keeps the heart healthy and the blood pumping through the veins. Make sure to give your legs plenty of rest and try and keep them propped up as much as possible.

This makes the blood flow in the opposite direction – that is: anti gravity and gives your feet the much needed rest.

Do not sit down or stand up in one position for long stretches of time. Try and move your feet as much as possible. There are some simple exercises you can do if you have a desk job and are not in a position to move around much. Rotate the foot from the ankle are five times in a clock wise direction. Stop and then rotate the same foot five times in the anti clockwise direction. Repeat the same process for the other foot. Do this at every two hour intervals for best results.