Diet for varicose veins of the lower extremities in women, men. Menu for the week, reviews

Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins of the lower extremities in women associated with obesity-promoting lifestyles, low fiber content, poor physical activity, and non-dietary intake. Evidence suggests that avoiding these risk factors can reduce the incidence of venous disease.

Essence and basic principles

Chronic venous insufficiency is a common clinical problem with a range of from moderately unsightly varicose veins to recurrent cellulite and ulcers requiring frequent hospitalization.

It is estimated that 20% of the adult population suffer from varicose veins to one degree or another, and up to 5% have advanced chronic venous insufficiency and venous ulcers.

The likelihood of developing varicose veins in women is at least 2 times higher than in men. This is a common problem among the elderly or pregnant women due to hormonal influences and tends to develop over time as veins lose their natural elasticity due to increased levels inflammation.

Many lymphoma therapists speculate that varicose veins are the result of low fiber intake, resulting in constipation-induced straining during bowel movements. This straining increases intra-abdominal pressure, causing pressure to be transmitted to the main venous trunks that drain the leg veins.

The resulting retrograde blood flow to these veins can, in turn, lead to dilation of the proximal segment of the veins and consequent valve failure. Further overstrain of the abdomen and the presence of unsupported blood in the veins cause a deterioration in the integrity of the vessels.

Obesity and chronic constipation contribute to the development of venous insufficiency: belly fat, the swollen, congested intestines press on the veins in the abdomen, resulting in pressure on the back and legs. Therefore, a healthy diet high in fiber and a healthy body mass index is the best prevention if there is a tendency for the veins to weaken.

To improve the fluidity of the blood, it is important, on the one hand, to drink plenty of fluids, and on the other, a diet rich in natural blood thinners, vitamins and minerals.

Bioflavonoids and vitamin C in vegetables and fruits, and vitamin E in cold-pressed vegetable oils are antioxidants, which can slow down damage to the walls of blood vessels and venous valves caused by the processes aging.

Zinc supports the healing process and has an anti-inflammatory effect on phlebitis. Magnesium helps with muscle cramps.

The diet for varicose veins of the lower extremities in women includes the mandatory intake of fluid. But people with a similar disease are prone to frequent swelling in the lower extremities. To prevent this from happening, you should take diuretics, as well as drugs aimed at increasing the tone of the veins.

When varicose veins occur, treatment is sometimes associated not only with a diet containing foods high in fiber, but also with another special diet - salt-free.

Before starting the initial treatment with a diet, the patient should prepare and go through a special fast that restricts food intake. During fasting, you can consume mainly freshly squeezed juices for 4-5 days.

Necessary products

The diet for varicose veins of the lower extremities in women requires an effective program developed by nutritionists.

It includes the daily saturation of the body with the necessary nutrients, minerals, vitamins:

• Foods that are high in fiber are essential for healthy digestion and can improve heart health. Eating 30–45 grams of fiber daily is the best natural way to prevent constipation. These include vegetables, flaxseed, fresh fruit, legumes, and cereals.
• Foods containing antioxidants. Flavonoids, vitamin C and vitamin E (there are many of them in green vegetables, citrus fruits, berries) strengthen veins, prevent blood clots, and promote blood thinning.
• Natural diuretics. These are, first of all, fresh parsley, fennel, dandelion greens, cucumbers, asparagus, cilantro, basil and celery.
• Products containing magnesium. They prevent the accumulation of blood clots, relieve blood pressure problems and prevent leg cramps. To do this, you need to increase your intake of the following foods: leafy greens, avocados, bananas, cruciferous vegetables and potatoes.
• Foods containing flavonoids, capsacain, and spiced essential oils like cayenne pepper or curry help warm the body and improve blood flow.
• Wild-caught fish and seafood such as wild salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines and tuna, which contain omega-3 fatty acids, aid in proper blood flow.

Essential fruits and vegetables

Fruits and vegetables that are especially beneficial for vein health:

• Beet: contains a compound called betacyanin, which reduces levels of other vein-damaging compounds.
• Asparagus: Rich in a range of vitamins and minerals, this vegetable is great for vein health, prevents breakouts, and strengthens veins and capillaries.
• Rosemary: contains rosmarinic acid, which protects tissues from free radicals (atoms from damaged cells that cause disease and other health problems).
• Ginger: improves blood circulation, dissolves fibrin (a compound that clogs veins).
• Avocado: contains vitamins C and E, as well as glutathione, strengthens blood vessels, protects arteries and veins from oxidative damage.
• Watercress: rich in vitamins and minerals that strengthen the veins and also improve blood circulation.
• Blackberry: These tasty little fruits are high in antioxidants and contain rutin, a compound that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. They protect the blood vessels from blood clots. Other fruits high in rutin: apples, cherries, grapes, olives, raspberries.
• Flavonoids, of which are found in abundance in grape seed extract.

Contraindications

A diet for varicose veins of the lower extremities in women, containing a high percentage of fiber, is good for health. But adding too much fiber too quickly can cause intestinal gas, bloating, and cramping.

Increase these foods in your diet gradually over several weeks. This allows natural bacteria in the digestive system to adapt to the changes.

A large amount of fiber is contraindicated in people who have:

• a blocked bowel with decreased peristaltic movement;
• obstruction of the stool in the intestines;
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

People with health problems should monitor the amount of water consumed during the day. Heart failure, kidney or liver disease can affect the amount of fluid in the body and, in turn, sodium levels.

A large amount of water consumed throughout the day reduces the amount of sodium in the blood, which leads to cell swelling. This can lead to many problems. Some are mild, but others can be serious and even life-threatening.

Helpful hints

Healthy eating is impossible without strict food intake. Even the most compatible and healthy foods will not benefit the body if taken randomly and in large quantities, or only once a day or at night.

Varicose veins compulsorily accompany everyone who is overweight by more than 7-10 kg. The use of flour products is contraindicated for people with obesity.

The maximum daily bread requirement is 3 slices. It is impossible to completely abandon bread, because it is the only source of alkaline substances that neutralize excess acids formed during digestion.

Many medical experts believe that one of the reasons for the development of varicose veins is the abuse of salt. A high salt content in the body provokes a violation of the state and functionality of all vessels.

1. The optimal number of meals should be at least 5 times a day. There should be small portions. This food is called fractional. With this approach, frequent small portions of food contributes to the rapid and complete absorption of all received nutrients. Between meals, the stomach is completely emptied, and the intestines are already completing the digestive process of the previous portion. In this case, slagging does not occur, because undigested substances are not deposited, but immediately enter the large intestine and are removed as soon as possible.
2. You need to finish your meal with a slight feeling of hunger.
3. Braised and steamed dishes are the preferred cooking options.
4. When preparing products for long-term storage, a drying method should be chosen whenever possible. Dried foods retain the maximum amount of all nutrients.
5. When the first "spider veins" are found, various types of cheese are immediately introduced into the daily diet. Cheese is considered the most valuable, but ordinary processed cheese plays an important role in strengthening blood vessels.

Fasting with varicose veins

With varicose veins in women, it is useful to apply the dietary fasting method. But this method of treatment is not suitable for everyone. Even those who have no contraindications to therapeutic fasting should go through the preparatory stage.

Fasting for vascular diseases of the lower extremities will not be beneficial if used as an independent and only method of treatment. This is only good as an adjunct to the main treatment.

Before starting fasting, you should definitely consult a doctor, do all the necessary examinations, and only after that a suitable program will be assigned.

Doctors recommend starting the process in early fall. In the summer, the body is saturated with all the necessary substances and during fasting there will be no strong blow to the basic vital functions.

The periods of therapeutic fasting last 3 days, after which a break is taken. You can starve no more than 1 time in 7-10 days.

Main menu

Some gastronomic subtleties that should be considered when drawing up a menu for people with signs of varicose veins:

• Light salads of fresh vegetables, seasoned with any vegetable oil, perfectly strengthen the walls of blood vessels. For the benefits to be obvious, salads need to be consumed every day.
• When cooking, consider product compatibility. So, milk and its derivatives are incompatible with fish and poultry, fruits and legumes. And also peas with mushrooms and melon with honey do not go well.
• Before starting the main courses, you should drink ½ tbsp. water at room temperature so that the stomach is a little full, which will not allow you to hold more food than necessary.
• Green tea is very beneficial for people with varicose veins. This valuable drink can be consumed throughout the day. It thins the blood, which in turn helps rid the blood vessels of unnecessary stress.
• The raw material for making tea can be fresh currant leaves, preferably black. It is useful to prepare jelly, jams and fruit drinks from these berries, which need to be added to the daily menu.
• Okroshka and green cabbage, cooked with the addition of sorrel or spinach, are considered indispensable first courses on hot summer days. Unlike fatty meat broths, these dishes do not destroy the walls of blood vessels and do not negatively affect their valves.
• Beef liver is very useful not only for those who suffer from vascular diseases, but also for all people who care about the nutritional value of consumed foods.

Seafood is very useful for vessels. Copper, which is found in abundance in them, is vital for the body, as it participates in protein synthesis. And protein is strong and elastic vessels.

Diet for varicose veins of the lower extremities in women involves the rejection of chocolate and products from it. It is better to replace these products with nuts and any jam.

Sample menu for a week

Monday
Breakfast	Rye porridge with honey. Fresh fruit cocktail with 1 tbsp. low-fat, low-calorie yogurt with vanilla and walnuts flavor. 1 tbsp. cranberry juice.
Snack	Bun with bran and seeds. Altai herbal tea for strengthening veins.
Dinner	Roll with chicken made from products: 1 medium whole grain flour tortilla without yeast 2/3 st. boiled chopped chicken 1/2 tbsp. chopped apple 1 1/2 tbsp. l. homemade mayonnaise, 1/2 teaspoon curry powder Vegetable soup with celery.
Afternoon snack	1/2 tbsp. raw young carrots. Green tea.
Dinner	Whole wheat spaghetti with courgettes and eggs. 2 tbsp. mixed salad greens. 1 tbsp. l. low-fat sour cream dressing. 1 hour l. olive oil. Sparkling water.
Tuesday
Breakfast	1 tbsp. oatmeal with 1 tsp l. a spoonful of cinnamon. 1 slice of whole grain toast 1 hour l. butter. 1 banana. Tea made from fresh currant leaves.
Snack	2 apple toast on whole grain bread. Fresh juice.
Dinner	Baked beef with vegetables in foil. 1 serving of cooked brown rice. A handful of pecans.
Snack	1 tbsp. light yogurt. 1 medium peach
Dinner	Buckwheat porridge with vegetable salad and a piece of lean fish.
Wednesday
Breakfast	1 slice of cheese. Semolina porridge with milk. Mint, lemon, kiwi, tarragon cocktail.
2 breakfast	Toast with black currant jam. Nettle leaf tea.
Dinner	Spinach puree soup. Fish baked under vegetables in foil. Green tea.
Afternoon snack	Whole wheat bun. Green cocktail with black currant.
Dinner	Any seafood. Green salad with cucumbers and tomatoes. Mineral water.
Thursday
Breakfast	Zucchini casserole. Cheese - 1 slice. Green tea. Whole grain bread toast.
2nd breakfast	Cottage cheese with dried fruits or nuts. Honey - 1 tbsp. l. Grape seed cocktail.
Dinner	Diet pate from liver and vegetables. Vegetable broth. Currant fruit drink.
Afternoon snack	200 ml of freshly squeezed juice.
Dinner	Buckwheat cutlets. Squid salad. Mineral water.
Friday
Breakfast	Oatmeal porridge with honey. 1 slice of cheese. Green tea.
Snack	1 tbsp. natural yoghurt.
Dinner	Chowder from fresh vegetables, spinach, okroshka in summer. Low-fat fish steak. Kissel from black currant.
Afternoon snack	Salad with beans and croutons. Green tea.
Dinner	Rice and vegetable cutlets. Broccoli cocktail.
Saturday
Breakfast	Boiled in water or milk diluted with water, porridge, berries, dried fruits, nuts.
2 breakfast	Vegetable salad with olives and sesame seeds.
Dinner	Creamy sweet potato soup. Fish in yoghurt sauce, stewed vegetables.
Afternoon snack	Baked quince with honey.
Dinner	Spicy salad with avocado and tomatoes. Cocktail with prunes.
Sunday
Breakfast	Whole wheat bagel with 2 tsp l. butter. 1 medium orange. Decaffeinated coffee.
Snack	Yogurt and fruit smoothie.
Dinner	Spinach salad made from products: fresh spinach leaves, 1 pear 1/2 tbsp. canned tangerine pieces, 1/3 Art. chopped almonds. Chicken broth soup. Whole grain crackers.
Snack	1 tbsp. low-fat, low-calorie yogurt. Waffles.
Dinner	Baked cod in spices. Brown rice with vegetables. Baked green beans with garlic. 1 tbsp. fresh berries with chopped mint. Herbal tea with ice and mango.

The predominant number of dishes on the table should be porridge. Any grain is an invaluable source of vitamins, fiber and microelements. For example, rice helps to remove excess salt, and millet removes fat. Semolina, containing vitamin B5, stimulates metabolic processes, and buckwheat stimulates the formation of red blood cells.

With varicose veins, rye porridge with honey is very useful. The combination of these products increases the protective functions of the body, therefore it is recommended for patients who have undergone surgery to remove problem veins.

When to expect the effect

Eating a healthy and healthy diet rich in fiber, routine, flavonoids, vitamin C and vitamin B will help relieve symptoms.

In addition to diet, exercise plays an important role in preventing venous disease and keeping your legs and veins healthy. Walking for at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, is a low-impact activity that improves circulation and strengthens the calf muscles.

Even riding a stationary bike and using an elliptical trainer is a great calf exercise. At the same time, the outflow of blood from the gastrocnemius muscle improves without stress on the joints and bones.

As in all areas of health, nutrition plays an important role in lower limb venous disease. Admittedly, varicose veins in women cannot be completely prevented or cured with diet. However, a healthy diet can have a beneficial effect on the disease and stop its further development.

Author: Belyaeva Anna

Video about the diet for varicose veins

Nutrition for varicose veins. Do's and don'ts: