Varicose veins, often seen in blue and purple, are enlarged veins that swell up and are located in the legs. When veins become weak, blood can begin to pool up in the veins and create pressure, causing them to swell up. Varicose veins can cause disrupted blood flow as the blood reverses from its normal pathway to the heart. Standing up for a long time, pregnancy, and other risk factors are examples of varicose veins causes. Because of the painful side effects of this disease, evidence-based treatment methods must be utilized to combat its impact on the body. One of them is making dietary changes that will help with the recovery process.
At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, our physicians Dr. Mathew Cheung and Dr. Peter Lin discuss certain foods which may worsen your leg symptoms when you have varicose veins. In this discussion, you will learn what types of foods to avoid if you suffer from varicose veins.

A large part of varicose veins treatment is which foods a person consumes throughout their day. A person’s diet directly impacts how well the veins can recover and function properly. With that being said, the difference between eating foods low in fiber versus foods high in fiber, or other healthy choices, will affect the severity of the blood’s circulation. The following are six must-avoid foods that can exacerbate the symptoms of varicose veins:

While many people have a sweet tooth, it’s crucial to monitor sugar consumption, including corn syrup, cane juice, and many more ingredients. Like the types of food mentioned above, there is a risk of high blood pressure occurring in the body. When treating varicose veins, try fresh fruits that can improve blood pressure, such as fresh tomatoes. If you believe you consume too many sugary foods, it may be best to cut down on your favorite desserts or delectables.

Because water retention worsens the symptoms of varicose veins, it is advisable to avoid high-in-salt foods. Overeating salty foods can cause swelling in the veins and increase blood pressure, which could, as John Hopkins University School of Medicine states, “weaken the walls inside the veins.” It is advisable to avoid these kinds of foods and ensure that your salt intake is not too high. Examples of platters to avoid are pizza, sandwiches, omelets, and salty snacks.

Eating foods with saturated fats, such as butter, bacon, sausages, or other red meat dishes, is another source of rising blood pressure. Medical professionals always advise eating other foods with a lot of potassium instead to improve blood pressure levels in the body. Alternatives include oranges, bananas, and other delicious choices.

Your body needs plenty of water to circulate blood correctly, so you must avoid any beverages, such as alcohol, that can cause high blood pressure. When a person has varicose veins, you must take measures to avoid this by taking care of what comes into your body. To protect your blood pressure, avoiding alcoholic beverages would be wise.

Unlike natural grains, refined grains do not have the fiber to help with the body’s venous system. High-in-fiber food strengthens blood circulation, and it effectively prevents the cause of varicose veins from forming in the body. For these reasons, medical professionals encourage patients to consume avocados, apples, carrots, beets, pears, raspberries, and other nutritious servings. Avoid foods low in fiber, such as white bread, white rice, white flour, and others.

Varicose vein patients need to be wary of what dairy products can do to their bodies. If a person suffers from chronic constipation, this ailment could produce varicose veins forming in the rectum. To protect yourself from being at risk from this condition developing in the body, skip that glass of milk or avoid mac-and-cheese. Discuss your diet with your physician to treat your varicose veins.

At Vascular Care Specialists of Los Angeles, we strive to provide the best service, care, and results possible. If you are interested in varicose vein treatment, give us a call at 626-275-9566 to schedule an appointment. You can also visit us at www.vcsla.com for more information.