Cellulite, blood circulation problems and swelling: with an adequate diet it is possible to counteract several problems of the lower limbs.
An adequate intake of vitamins can help keep your legs fit and healthy. What? First of all, choosing the right foods.
There are many women – young and old – who have to deal with swollen and heavy legs, broken capillaries, varicose veins.
Problems certainly not very serious, but equally certainly little tolerated as they are considered, rightly, quite unsightly.
Even if, in part, at the origin of these disorders there are non-modifiable factors (familiarity, age and female sex), it has been shown that the situation can be improved a lot by paying attention to lifestyles and eating behaviors.
Veins-friendly antioxidants
Green light to foods rich in antioxidant vitamins, especially those that contain bioflavonoids, vitamin C, vitamin E and potassium. Here’s where to find them:
| Food sources | |
|---|---|
| Bioflavonoids | Apples, strawberries, berries, pears, oranges, peppers, radishes, onions, chocolate |
| Vitamin C | Citrus fruits (oranges, lemons, grapefruit, limes, mandarins, etc.), grapes, strawberries, berries, kiwi, melon, peppers, tomatoes and tomato paste, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, peas, spinach and potatoes |
| Vitamin E | Dried fruit (for example, almonds, hazelnuts, peanuts), vegetable oils (olive, maize, sunflower, soy, wheat germ) and cereals |
| Potassium | Green leafy vegetables, tomatoes, cucumbers, courgettes, eggplants, pumpkin, potatoes (especially in their peel), carrots, legumes, nuts, dried fruits (such as apricots and plums), fresh fruits (citrus fruits, melon, bananas, kiwis, plums and apricots), meat and poultry, dairy products, fish (such as salmon, cod, plaice and sardines) |
Bioflavonoids act synergistically with vitamin C by improving venous tone and increasing the parietal resistance of capillaries.
The contribution of the latter, together with vitamin E, is essential because it preserves the microcirculation from damage caused by radicals. In addition, it protects the chemical structure of collagen fibers, preserving their flexibility and elasticity.
Finally, the contribution of potassium is decisive, a mineral that helps to counteract the stagnation of liquids in the body.
If you can’t bring a lot of fruit and vegetables to the table, for work or other reasons, you can always resort to a multivitamin supplement.
Lifestyles and natural remedies
In addition to the food aspects, it is important to move more to promote the return of blood to the heart, avoid too high heels and too tight clothing, as well as heat sources.
It is also better to stop smoking, eliminate extra pounds, drink a lot of water, avoid foods that are too fatty or salty and take cold baths or showers and whirlpools.
There are also natural products, in the form of tablets or creams, which promote microcirculation of the legs.
They act both on the wall of the vessels, restructuring it, and on the lymphatic system, facilitating the outflow of excess fluids that cause the feeling of swelling and heaviness.
We are talking about preparations based on Centella asiatica, Ginkgo Biloba and escin, well-tolerated active ingredients that can be used in the summer months and during the rest of the year, in a preventive perspective.
Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.
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