We’re talking about swelling, varicose veins (i.e. spider veins), & fluid retention today. We’ll be going over 3 three main points to consider and how they all tie together.
1. Rebounding
Rebounding was originally developed in Iowa, and researched by NASA regarding the benefits of bouncing vs. running on a treadmill. The pressure is more evenly distributed when on a rebounder, which is also optimal for bone density.
Your legs & veins cannot pump themselves, so you have the responsibility to move them, especially after long periods! Rebounding provides a low-impact exercise that will get the fluid moving, which reduces swelling and helps with lower leg varicose veins.
Rebounding also:
- Supports the lymphatic system
- Decreases fluid retention and buildup (think swollen ankles)
- Energizes the cells
- Strengthens muscles to help reduce leg pain and heaviness
- Boosts the immune system
Next up … let’s take a look at some botanicals that can be beneficial for fluid retention, varicose veins, and skin discoloration on the surface of the skin due to those superficial veins.
2. Botanicals
Botanicals are referring to plants, flowers & herbs. There are quite a few that are proven to be very powerful in helping fluid retention and swelling:
Hesperidin
Hesperidin is a known bioflavonoid that is typically found in citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, and grapefruit.
- Improves Lymph System
- Helps Blood Flow
- Decreases Inflammation
- Protects Capillaries
- Capillaries are the small blood vessels that transfer nutrients deep in the tissue. When they are damaged, they expand & weaken resulting in fluid getting into the tissue (i.e. swelling and fluid retention)
Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut is an anti-edema herb that protects the blood vessels (when combined with collagen). It allows the blood vessels to expand and contract the way they’re meant to. If there is a lack of nutrients to build that type of strong vessel, the blood vessels will weaken and lead to edema.
Grapeseed Extract
Grapeseed extract is a great antioxidant that reduces inflammation and cleans up the free radicals in the system. It also strengthens your capillaries and seals up blood vessels and vein walls to keep them from getting leaky.
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola is a very popular plant in Asia that’s a member of the parsley family. It supports the tone and the elasticity of the vessels. Studies have shown that it’s most beneficial for tissue damage and ankle swelling in particular.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid found in plants and foods such as red onions and capers. It helps with circulation and strengthens the blood vessels. So it’s another great example of a natural approach to fighting inflammation and blood flow restriction.
Vitamin C
Do you get bruises easily? Bruising, bleeding and slow wound-healing are indicators of a vitamin C deficiency. Vitamin C makes up the collagen inside of your body and the collagen around the vessels. You can get vitamin C in healthy citrus fruits, such as oranges, lemons, and limes. It’s very easy to put in water and ingest it that way, or a vitamin C powder (such as the one we carry) is also a great solution.
Now that we know how important natural, beneficial plants and herbs are to our health, let’s talk about the importance of minerals.
3. Sodium / Potassium Balance
The sodium vs. potassium balance controls the fluid contained in your body. Our ancestors had a diet rich in fruits and veggies. They were taking in around 11,000+ milligrams of potassium daily. The modern-day diet is only taking in about 3-4,000 milligrams! Potassium is so important because it’s going to balance out salt intake in your body it’s also going to push fluid out of your system.
The absolute BEST way to get more potassium is by eating healthy, green, whole foods that contain higher amounts of it.
What About Bananas?
When people think of potassium, they usually think of bananas. Bananas do have potassium, but they also have tons of sugar and are most likely genetically modified. Some better alternatives (that contain MORE potassium than a banana) would include:
- Spinach
- Beets
- Sweet Potatoes
- Avocados
So getting potassium IN is essential, now let’s discuss if we need to get salt OUT…
Sodium Isn’t The Enemy
A huge widespread study showed that people who adopted a restricted salt diet actually increased their risk of heart disease! Conversely, people who had high salt diets, had the same risk, especially when it came to blood clots and increased risk for medical conditions involving the heart. So a good sodium/potassium balance is key. Salt is not the enemy – it’s the lack of potassium.
Okay great! So, I can eat a whole bunch of canned soups, packaged meals, and table salt then, right?
Salt Type Matters
The right kind of salt matters. Table salt is very toxic and will lead to fluid retention, making affected areas with vein problems a lot worse, not to mention contributing to obesity. High-quality Himalayan salt or Celtic sea salt will have the beneficial minerals your body will use to get the electrolytes it needs.
Summary
In summary, try rebounding for energizing the cells and fighting fluid retention, botanicals to naturally assist with inflammation and blood vessel integrity, and keep your sodium/potassium ratio in check to combat those varicose veins and water retention!
