When we talk about venous insufficiency in the lower limbs we almost always consider a hereditary problem, but it should not be.
Accepted with submissiveness, something to contain the discomfort of swollen, heavy legs, varicose veins and increasingly obvious capillaries can be done with a proper lifestyle and an appropriate dietary choice.
A low-fibre diet acts on the intestinal musculature, which must make a greater effort to carry out the normal daily evacuation. This creates an increase in abdominal pressure that prevents upward flow from the legs to the heart, a factor that significantly weakens the walls of our veins. Here then appear on our legs varicose veins associated with problems of intestinal inflammation, diverticulos and even hemorrhoids. The fibers in these cases become a real panacea because by forming a gelatinous mass when they arrive in our intestines, they manage to make the stools soft, thus facilitating effortless evacuation and keeping the abdomen free and light. Then we give the green light to fruits and vegetables, but also to legumes and whole grains.
There are also foods that are particularly suitable for strengthening the venous walls because they are rich in flavonoids, such as blueberries, blackcurrants and, in general, all berries. Other foods such as buckwheat, barley, asparagus, broccoli, cauliflower should not be missing from the table. Vitamin C also plays an important role because it has vasoprotective and anti-inflammatory properties. Another fundamental attention must be given to our liver, which must always be kept healthy to guarantee the integrity of the connective and muscular tissue of the venous walls.
It is better to avoid red meat, sausages, fatty dairy products, animal fat condiments, to be replaced with fish and oils squeezed from seeds or olives.
A healthy way to start the day could be a good breakfast of green tea, low-fat yogurt and a slice of buckwheat plumcake with red fruits prepared the night before.
Easy to make, it is healthy and tasty. Work 3 eggs with 150g. agave syrup until you get a soft compound. Separately mix 150 g. of buckwheat flour and 50 g. of wholemeal flour with a sachet of baking powder. Add the flours to the mixture together with 190 g. of ricotta. Mix well, but gently and then add 100g of cranberries, 50g of blackcurrants, 50g of blackberries. Pour the mixture obtained into a mould previously covered with greaseproof paper, cover with other red fruits and sprinkle the surface with 2 teaspoons of brown sugar. Bake for about 45 minutes at 180 ° C, let cool.
Here is your breakfast ready with a sweet taste and antioxidant "character" that will help you to be light all day long.
Especially in the hot season, it is worth supplementing our diet with rutin, quercetin and melilot which play an important role in reducing symptoms of swelling in the lower limbs.
- Rutin promotes the elasticity of the capillaries by improving circulation and combating bleeding, and for its antithrombotic properties is also useful in improving the cardiovascular system.
- Quercetin, known as an antioxidant, acts to prevent the formation of edema due to capillary fragility, very useful than for the annoying swelling of the legs.
- Melilotum is also an excellent ally for those suffering from lymphatic insufficiency and especially for women who are much more prone to the presence of cellulite linked to water retention and to venous and lymphatic insufficiency.
Physical activity should never be neglected and in particular, should not be neglected by people who suffer from problems of microcirculation. The watchword is to avoid sedentariness.
A nice walk in the open air is very suitable, during which the calf muscle contracts, pushing the blood accumulated in the circulation; deep breathing then helps the return of the blood, thus avoiding stagnation.