No doubt about it: The foods we eat have a huge influence on our health – and on every part of the body, including our veins and arteries. In fact, it’s those veins and arteries that carry all the essential nutrients to our organs and tissues – so it just makes sense to do all you can to make sure your blood vessels are as healthy as possible. Knowing which nutrients are most important to vein health is the first step in playing a more proactive role in preventing vein diseases.
Whether you have varicose veins or you want to prevent them from developing, eating a healthy, balanced diet full of these nutrients is a great way to support your veins and arteries, and hopefully, reduce your risk of disease:
Vitamin E helps promote blood flow by making sure blood doesn’t get too “sticky,” preventing the formation of “plaques” that stick to blood vessel walls and interfere with the flow of blood. Almonds, sunflower seeds, avocado and fortified cereals are all great sources of vitamin E.
B vitamins play lots of important roles in keeping you healthy, but for vein health specifically, focus on B6 and B12, which help prevent clotting problems. B3 is also important for reducing cholesterol while improving overall circulation. B vitamins are in lots of fortified cereals, as well as lentils, tuna, bananas, whole grains, and molasses.
Most of us know vitamin C is good for battling the common cold, but did you know it’s also important for healthy veins? As a powerful antioxidant, vitamin C protects your veins from damaging free radicals, and it also helps keep your veins strong and elastic. Citrus fruits are great sources of vitamin C, but so are tomatoes, broccoli and even potatoes.
Most of us are familiar with the other vitamins on this list, but vitamin K? Not so much. Still, although it may not be as well-known as vitamin C or E, vitamin K is essential for supporting vein health, and it plays a pivotal role in blood clotting, helping to stop the flow of blood if we’re cut or bruised. Vitamin K also helps strengthen the walls of smaller blood vessels called capillaries, preventing them from breaking and stretching. It may also reduce vein bruising following laser vein treatment and other varicose vein procedures. You’ll find this vitamin in leafy green vegetables, as well as broccoli and brussels sprouts.
No, it’s not a vitamin, but copper is still an important nutrient to include in any healthy-vein diet. That’s because copper plays a central role in repairing the lining of your veins, and it can also help prevent the lining from becoming damaged. You can find copper in molasses, lentils, sunflower seeds, apricots and even dark chocolate (yum!).
As a leading Cincinnati vein treatment center, Vascular and Interventional Associates Vein Center help men and women enjoy healthier veins and improved overall health with state-of-the-art vein treatments customized for each patient’s unique needs. To learn more about the treatments we offer and to see before & after photos of some of our patients, visit our site. Then give us a call at 859-286-7333 to schedule your own individual consultation and help keep your veins as healthy as possible.
