Are Antioxidants Beneficial for Varicose Veins?

What are varicose veins?

Varicose veins are swollen, twisted veins that may occur due to damaged veins walls or valves resulting in poor blood circulation. Veins transport blood back to the heart from the various parts of the body. The vein valves, through their movement, ensure this backward movement of blood. Veins and vein valves often work against gravity, especially from the lower extremities such as legs to ensure proper blood circulation.

A damage in the vein valve results in the blood pooling the vein since it cannot move in its designated direction. This blood accumulation hinders proper blood flow. Inflammation and further damage of the vein ensue resulting in venous insufficiency.

The most common causes for varicose veins include obesity, age, hormonal imbalance, sedentary lifestyle or work nature, prolonged standing or sitting, and genetic predisposition. Venous insufficiency most commonly occurs in the leg and ankle areas while some may experience them in genital areas and the rectum and anus as well.

People suffering from varicose veins may experience pain, heaviness, inflammation, itching, cramping, skin changes, visible or palpable blue or purple veins and skin changes. Ulceration and bleeding can be seen in extreme cases.

Oxidative stress and varicose veins

Oxidative stress is one of the key factors in the development and progression of venous insufficiency. So what exactly is oxidative stress and how does it cause venous damage?

What is Oxidative stress?

Oxidative stress is a condition that occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants in the body.

So why does this imbalance occur? The human body, through its metabolic processes such as digestion, respiration and exercising, through wear and tear, produces free radicals. While antioxidants normally keep these free radicals or unstable molecules in check, sometimes an imbalance may occur.

The presence of too many unstable molecules known as free radicals and not enough antioxidants to fight them leads to oxidative stress. This may lead to cell and tissue damage, chronic inflammation and poor blood circulation.

How does oxidative stress affect varicose veins?

Varicose veins occur due to damage to the vein wall or valve. Since oxidative stress causes cell and tissue damage, chronic inflammation and poor blood circulation, it is believed to be one of the major contributing factors to the formation and worsening of varicose veins.

Here is how oxidative stress can contribute to varicose veins.

Weakened vein walls

Vein walls are made up of special proteins like collagen and elastin. These protein molecules contribute to the strength and elasticity of the vein walls allowing veins to expand and contract to allow proper blood flow.

Oxidative stress can damage these collagen and elastin components resulting in the vein walls losing their strength and elasticity. Vein wall damage and vein valve malfunction result in the pooling up of blood. Venous insufficiency ensues resulting in the formation of varicose veins.

Inflammation

Cell damage due to oxidative stress may lead to a response by the body’s immune system triggering a response in the form of inflammation. With the lack of antioxidants response, this inflammation can turn into a long term reaction resulting in chronic inflammation.

Chronic inflammation can lead to further worsening of cell health and vein damage, leading to further pain, swelling and increasing venous insufficiency. All of these naturally contribute to worsening varicose veins and possibly the formation of new varicose veins. 

Hampered blood circulation

Oxidative stress leads to damage of vein walls, weakening and stiffening them. As veins lose their elasticity, they also lose their flexibility and their ability to pump blood as per the body’s requirements.

Sluggish movement of blood results in accumulation within the veins, vein swelling and heaviness. Veins do not receive enough blood supply, oxygen and nutrients resulting in cramping, numbing and restless legs.

Clot formation

Oxidative stress may cause the blood to become thicker and slow down the blood flow resulting in the formation of clots. Inner cell wall damage causes the walls to become rough and inflamed. 

Body defense systems may trigger repair mechanisms in these damaged areas increasing clot formation. Deep seated clots can cause complications such as deep vein thrombosis which may turn life threatening if not addressed in time.

Reduced Nitric oxide levels

Nitric oxide is an important molecule naturally produced by the body and is vital for vascular 

health. It acts as a vasodilator and allows blood vessels to widen by relaxing inner muscles and allows proper blood circulation while regulating blood pressure.

Oxidative stress or the presence of free radicals reduces the presence of nitric oxide in the body by destroying the molecules.

Lack of enough nitric oxide results in blood vessels stiffening, reduction in blood flow and increase in blood pressure, all of which results in the formation of varicose veins or worsening of existing venous insufficiency.

How are antioxidants beneficial for varicose veins?

Antioxidants are nutrients that help protect vein health, improve blood circulation, prevent clot formation and reduce inflammation.

In human beings, antioxidants such as vitamin C, Vitamin E, flavonoids, polyphenols and rutin play a vital role in preventing worsening of varicose insufficiency and formation of new 

varicose veins by

• Strengthening vein walls

Collagen is an important component of the connective tissue and supports vein structure, promoting vein wall health, strength and elasticity preventing venous insufficiency.

Vitamin C and rutin are two antioxidants that help build collagen in the body preventing weakening and stretching of veins and worsening of existing varicose veins.

While citrus fruits, berries and vegetables such as capsicum are rich in vitamin C, rutin can be found in buckwheat, apples and asparagus.

• Preventing inflammation and pain

Flavonoids help in reducing pain and inflammation. They inhibit the production of enzymes and cytokines that promote inflammation and inhibit the activity of factors that regulate inflammatory responses.

By targeting pain and inflammation, flavonoids help prevent most of the symptoms of varicose veins such as pain, heaviness, inflammation and discomfort.

Flavonoids are widely present in plant products such as fruits, vegetables and teas with black tea being the best source.

• Improving blood circulation

Vitamin E and polyphenols are two antioxidants that help with blood circulation. 

Vitamin E, apart from preventing free radical damage, also promotes the formation of red blood cells, widens blood vessels and prevents the formation of blood clots. Vegetable oils, nuts and seeds and green leafy vegetables are excellent food sources.

Polyphenols block platelet aggregation, the process by which blood clots are formed. These antioxidants also prevent damage of endothelial cells, the cells that line the inner vein walls. They regulate blood pressure and improve antioxidant activity. Polyphenols are mostly commonly found in dark chocolate, fruits and vegetables, nuts, spices and tea.

• Preventing clots

Vitamin E and rutin play a vital role in preventing clots. Both these antioxidants block platelet aggregation. In addition, vitamin E may reduce the activity of vitamin K, a vitamin responsible for blood clotting.

By preventing clots, these antioxidants may ensure a smoother path for blood circulation while preventing complications such as deep vein thrombosis.

Vitamin E is found in many vegetable oils, nuts and seeds, vegetables and fish. Buckwheat is one of the richest sources of rutin while this antioxidant is also found in citrus fruits, berries and apples.

• Boosting Nitrous oxide (NO) levels

Polyphenols improve production of nitrous oxide by enhancing the activity of the eNOS, the enzyme responsible for the synthesis of NO. An increase in the levels of NO improves blood vessels relaxation and improved blood flow, all of which help with improving the overall varicose vein condition.

Polyphenols are found in fruits and vegetables, nuts and seeds, spices and herbs, cocoa and olive oil.

Incorporating an antioxidant rich diet and healthy lifestyle practices into daily routine can help people suffering from venous insufficiency curb progression of varicose veins and its symptoms and promote vascular health.

Various antioxidant foods beneficial for varicose veins

Antioxidant rich foods in diet is a great way to improve blood circulation and vascular health and obtain relief from vascular veins and the symptoms.

Here are some antioxidant rich foods to include in the varicose vein diet.

Vitamin C foods for collagen boost

• Citrus fruits such as oranges, grapefruit, lime, lemon
• Fruits such as strawberries and kiwis
• Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage and broccoli
• Bell peppers, tomatoes

Vitamin E foods for better circulation and clot prevention

• Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts and almonds
• Seeds such as sunflower seeds
• Vegetables such as bell pepper, broccoli, asparagus and leafy greens
• Oils such as olive oil, sunflower oil and wheat germ oil.

Flavonoid foods for swelling and inflammation

• Fruits such as apples, grapes, peaches and pears
• Berries such as blackberries, blueberries and cherries
• Herbs such as mint, celery and parsley
• Teas such as green tea and black tea
• Dark chocolate

Polyphenol foods for Nitric oxide boost

• Fruits such as berries, plums and pomegranate
• Nuts such as almonds, hazelnuts and pecans
• Spices such as turmeric, ginger, clove, cinnamon and cumin
• Chocolate
• Beverages such as coffee, green tea and red wine

Rutin foods for vein wall strengthening

• Buck wheat
• Figs
• Teas such as green tea and black tea
• Asparagus
• Fruits such as apples and figs
• Capers 
• Onions

Including these foods in your diet can be beneficial for varicose veins.