Important Vitamins for Better Blood Flow

by | Jan 11, 2022 | Blog, Varicose Veins | 0 comments

3 Important Vitamins for Better Blood Flow

Do you live with varicose veins that cause you pain, itchiness, redness and swelling? Aside from their common symptoms, they can account for various cosmetic concerns. The good news is that there are vital vitamins you can take to improve overall blood flow, lessening the chance the varicose veins will spread or worsen over time.

If you want to improve blood circulation in your legs, Virginia Vein Care can help. Offering state-of-the-art diagnosis and comprehensive care, we will help you find the best treatment option for you, which often involves adding critical vitamins for better blood flow throughout your body.

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are enlarged, twisted veins that appear when the normal veins in your legs become overfilled with blood due to poor circulation. They often appear on the skin’s surface, giving off a blueish-purple hue. Varicose veins are most common in women and those over 50 years old and most frequently found in the lower extremities.

What causes them?

Varicose veins are caused by irregular blood flow. Functional veins have one-way valves that prevent blood from flowing backward. When those valves fail to work, blood collects in the veins and they overfill. Varicose veins most often affect veins in the legs because it is most challenging for blood to flow upward.

Varicose veins can appear due to a variety of factors that cause poor circulation in the legs, including:

  • Pregnancy
  • Menopause
  • Obesity
  • Standing for long periods

Oneway to mitigate your risk of developing varicose veins is to take vitamins and minerals that support healthy blood flow.

Three Important Vitamins for Blood Flow

The most common symptom of varicose veins is prominent, misshapen veins that can cause feelings of throbbing, itchiness, heaviness or general aching in the affected area.

Although genetics, gender and age play a role in the risk you have of developing varicose veins, there are significant ways to reduce your risk of developing them. In addition, if you are already living with them, various vitamins can help reduce their severity.

Here are the top three vitamins to consider to help with poor circulation in the legs.

Vitamin B

Vitamin B is a group of B vitamins that aid in overall blood circulation, especially for those with a family history of blood clots or varicose veins. The most efficient B vitamins family for vein disorders include Vitamin B6 and B12. Both help remove any excess amount of homocysteine, an amino acid directly correlated with the way your blood clots. When found in excess in the body, it can cause your blood not to clot correctly. Vitamin B3 is also a great B vitamin option, as it helps improve overall blood circulation throughout the entirety of the body.

Although you can boost your B vitamin intake by taking a daily supplement, vitamin B is found in a variety of natural foods and resources, including:

  • Steak
  • Eggs
  • Fish
  • Almonds
  • Brown rice
  • Sunflower seeds
  • Broccoli
  • Spinach
  • Avocado
  • Lentils
  • Bananas

Vitamin C

One of the most popular vitamins of note, vitamin C, or ascorbic acid, is an essential antioxidant. It is involved in various bodily functions, from wound healing and iron absorption to the production of elastin and collagen, which are crucial to the overall elasticity of your veins.

Vitamin C is one of the best naturally occurring elements for poor circulation, as it helps to identify and heal the damaged veins throughout your body.

There are a variety of ways to consume vitamin C daily, including through:

  • Kale
  • Citrus fruits, especially oranges
  • Strawberries
  • Pineapple
  • Broccoli
  • Brussel sprouts
  • Bell peppers

Vitamin E

Vitamin E is an essential nutrient that plays a vital role in the overall health of your blood, circulation, vision, brain and skin. It also contains complex antioxidant properties. Vitamin E is a great choice to add to your daily regimen if you live with a vein-related disorder.

Although over-the-counter vitamins are a good addition to your daily diet, consider sourcing Vitamin E from natural foods such as:

  • Almonds or almond butter
  • Peanuts or peanut butter
  • Avocado
  • Salmon
  • Trout
  • Collard greens
  • Spinach
  • Red bell pepper
  • Wheat germ
  • Beet greens

Lifestyle Changes for Varicose Veins

In addition to including essential vitamins in your diet to improve blood circulation, mitigating the risk of varicose veins or slowing the progress and spread of them can involve some fundamental lifestyle changes like:

  • Maintaining a healthy weight
  • Avoiding sitting or standing for extended periods
  • Regular exercise to improve blood flow
  • Wearing compression socks or stockings regularly

Varicose veins treatment near me

Virginia Vein Care offers a range of minimally invasive, nonsurgical treatment options for varicose veins and other vein-related conditions. If you’re hoping to prevent venous insufficiency or reverse the effects of poor circulation, please visit a Virginia Vein Care location near you.