| According to a new research study published in | | | | lifting your heals off the floor with your toes while |
| the 'Journal of Vascular Research' varicosis, also | | | | standing. Do twenty times, relax, and repeat. |
| known as varicose veins, may be caused in part | | | | 2.Take mini breaks from prolonged sitting or |
| by a dietary lack of vitamin K. Medical scientists | | | | standing positions. |
| are not exactly sure what causes varicose or | | | | 3.Take cool quick baths or showers. Cold |
| spider veins, but an estimated 5 to 30 % of the | | | | compresses may also help. |
| population has them. | | | | 4.Elevate your feet, this reduces pressure in your |
| Varicose veins, and the less noticeable form of | | | | legs. |
| them called spider veins, are mainly a cosmetic | | | | 5.Lose excess weight with moderate exercise and |
| concern for most and three times more prevalent | | | | dietary measures. |
| in women than in men. Medical scientists suspect | | | | 6.Rub legs with message oils or coconut oil to help |
| that low levels of dietary vitamin K may reduce | | | | relax leg muscles. Message in upward strokes |
| the activity the Matrix GLA protein (MPG), which | | | | occasionally squeezing legs will help to force blood |
| has been seen as a key player in the | | | | out of your legs. |
| development of these unsightly purplish marks on | | | | An additional dietary measure often unconsidered |
| the legs. Vitamin K has been deemed a necessary | | | | in blood circulation problems such as varicose |
| nutrient to activate MPG , so it is theorized that | | | | veins, is due to an outdated government |
| adequate dietary levels of vitamin K could be a | | | | recommended daily dietary salt restriction guideline |
| powerful prevention tool, and help reduce an | | | | myth. Unrefined salt along with adequate daily |
| existing varicose vein condition. | | | | water intake may have a significant improvement |
| Vitamin K is not familiar to most of as the | | | | in the appearance of varicose and spider veins. |
| vitamins A, the B vitamins, and vitamins C, D, and | | | | An excerpt taken from Dr. F. Batmanghelidj's |
| E are. Vitamin K has two major forms known as | | | | health enlightening book 'Water Rx For A Healthier |
| K-1 and K-2. So what are some of the dietary | | | | Pain-Free Life', the selected paragraph text reads |
| sources of vitamin K? | | | | as follows: |
| Vitamin K-1 is highest in green plant foods. Fresh | | | | "The design of our bodies is such that the extent |
| raw spinach is high in this vitamin, and if you do | | | | of the ocean of water outside the cells is |
| not care for the taste of spinach, you can also | | | | expanded to have the extra water available for |
| find it in other green plant food sources such as | | | | filtration and emergency injection into vital cells. |
| broccoli, collard greens, leaf lettuce, kale, avocado, | | | | The brain commands an increase of salt and |
| and kiwis. Vitamin K-2 is found in high | | | | water retention by the kidneys. This is how we |
| concentration in fermented bacterial food sources | | | | get an edema when we don't drink enough water. |
| like aged cheeses and a fermented soy product | | | | The process of water filtration and its delivery |
| called natto. | | | | into cells is more efficient at night when the body |
| The primary cause of varicose veins is a | | | | is horizontal. The collected water, that mostly |
| breakdown of the valve system in the leg veins. | | | | pools in the legs, does not have to fight the force |
| Blood that carries nutrients to the cells is pumped | | | | of gravity to get into the blood circulation." |
| from the heart through the arteries to the legs. | | | | Unrefined sea salt contains a proper amount of |
| The depleted blood then returns to the heart | | | | about 80 trace minerals that the body needs in |
| through the venous system-veins having one-way | | | | trace amounts. Unrefined sea salt is a much |
| valves. Varicose veins may begin to develop | | | | better choice than other types of refined salt on |
| when one or more aggravating factors, or | | | | the market. It is notably higher in price, but higher |
| activities, adds a strain to the circulatory system | | | | in health benefits too. |
| or restricts blood flow are present such as age, | | | | An added salt intake along with proper water |
| extra weight on the hips and waist area, | | | | drinking should definitely be considered to the |
| prolonged sitting or standing, lifting heavy weights, | | | | simple dietary solutions of adequate vitamin K |
| long-distance running, lack of exercise, obesity, leg | | | | levels to help prevent or reduce the appearance |
| crossing, or constipation. | | | | of varicose or spider veins. However, most |
| Other possible contributors to consider are | | | | Americans are not salt deficient due to their love |
| pregnancy, hormonal changes, and dietary | | | | of processed foods which are loaded with way to |
| deficiencies. It is also worth mentioning here, that | | | | much processed salt. |
| over 200,00 women have an unusual form of | | | | But, it is estimated that 75% of the American |
| varicose veins, and also suffer fromchronic pelvic | | | | population is chronically dehydrated, and most |
| pain. | | | | likely the state of the world's population of |
| The prevention of varicose or spider veins is | | | | humans as well, due to the overconsumption of |
| much easier than ridding yourself from them once | | | | alcohol, soda tea, and coffee drinks. These drinks |
| you have developed them. Remember too, that | | | | do not count at all towards water intake. In fact |
| getting rid of them may take some time. It may | | | | they actually force more water out of the body. |
| take several months, possibly a year or longer, as | | | | That is the sad truth, and says a lot about |
| you did not develop them in a matter of a few | | | | diseases of all natures that promote the vast |
| days or weeks. | | | | majority of health problems in America, and all |
| Other natural tips you can use to help reduce the | | | | other nations, that have taken a liking to a |
| appearance of varicose veins include: | | | | Western diet and lifestyle. |
| 1.Doing leg calf strengthening exercises such as | | | | |