cktimes.ca Archives for Choices4Wellness
Choices4Wellness
How Vein are we?
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
This week's topic is on vein health which in this day and age should be talked about more since the rise of heart disease and obesity – we are seeing more and more people with spider veins and varicose veins which can cause health problems and are for some people a comedic annoyance.First off there are approximately 60,000 miles of blood vessels in an adult human body, veins being apart of this highway of vessels. Veins are the vessels that drain the blood from the capillaries and carry it back to the heart. The small veins that drain the capillaries (tiny blood vessels connecting arteries to veins.) flow into larger and larger vessels, like a river flowing to the sea. When they deliver the blood back to the heart, the heart pumps the blood back to the arteries and it begins its round trip again.
About 44 percent of women and 19 percent of men begin to see signs of vein problems by age thirty. By fifty, more than 64 percent of women and 42 percent of men are affected by some form of varicose veins. Women are affected nearly four times more frequently than men.
So what are spider veins? They are enlarged veins near the skin surface that appear purple, red, or blue. Commonly found on the legs, spider veins can occur on the face and other parts of the body.
Sometimes a cluster of spider veins may appear as a red or purple patch called blushing or matting (telangiectatic matting) , that are often mistaken for bruises. Unlike bruises, however, spider vein mattings do not fade. Another form of spider veins, called an ankle flare, is a cluster of spider veins, usually associated with varicose veins, that is located on the inner ankle.
What are Varicose Veins? Failure of the valves resulting in blood going away from the heart and pooling inside the vein may result in a general condition called venous insufficiency. Because of this, pressure builds up inside the vein and causes it to become enlarged, stretched out, and twisted.
Symptoms:
The presence of the bulging, enlarged, and twisted vein in part or all of a leg.
Aches, pain, or the feeling of tiredness and weakness in the leg, especially after long periods of sitting or standing.
Night cramps or charley horse in the calf muscle during sleep, especially when the person is tired or during a woman's period.
Restless legs, where legs become so uncomfortable that a person has difficulty standing on both feet at once.
Burning or itching sensation on the legs
Swollen legs and/or ankles
Brownish or bluish pigmentation on the skin
Swollen ankles can also be caused by other conditions than varicose vein. Besides standing or sitting with bent knees for a long period of time, swollen ankles can also be caused by tight shoes or socks, as well as blood clots in leg's deep veins, heart failures, anemias (too few red blood cells), high venous pressure, and other medical conditions.
The symptoms of varicose veins may affect men and women differently. Bulging varicose veins in men may not be accompanied by pain and other symptoms, whereas women usually have severe pains and other symptoms.
Other Forms of Varicose Veins
Hemorrhoids
-are a very common condition in men and women. Most people do not realize, however, that hemorrhoids are basically A varicose enlargement or swelling in the rectal and anal veins. Hemorrhoids can occur either inside or outside of the anal canal, and can be accompanied by bleeding, burning, itching, pain, discomfort, and inflammation.
The Causes:
Weak Vein Walls
distorted vein shape makes it impossible for the vein valves to work properly and trigger the cascade of further wall stretching and valve failures.
Genetics
a majority of those who have varicose veins also have other immediate family members, especially mothers or grandmothers, with varicose veins. Scientists also found that mothers and daughters often have the same symptoms and locations of varicose veins.
Low Fiber Diet
Scientists have noticed that a low fiber diet, popular in Western countries, can contribute to a much longer time required for the colon to empty itself. This "heavy" colon, or a colon filled with fecal matter, compresses the veins and puts more pressure on the veins in the leg, thus causing a tendency to develop varicose veins.
A diet low in fiber also cause frequent constipation, which leads to straining to pass a stool. Pressure from the straining is passed from the abdominal muscle to the leg veins, causing the veins to swell and enlarge.
Sedentary Lifestyle
sitting on a chair for a long period of time puts constant and increased pressure on leg veins. Vein pressure can increase as much as 250% when you sit. People in Japan who sit on the floor have much lower incidence of varicose veins as compared to those who moved to the West and sat on chairs! Indeed, varicose vein is virtually unknown in cultures where chairs are fairly rare.
The solutions
More Fibre in your diet, and as I say a lot is exercise, walking and stretching are important
And implement a supplement called VeinSense
The following are what to expect from VeinSense
Supports vein health and reduces varicose veins
Helps decrease the edema and inflammation associated with varicose veins
Eliminates heavy feeling legs and swelling of legs
Reduces Chronic Venous Insufficiency (CVI)
Reduces phlebitis
Eliminates hemorrhoids
Helps relieve symptoms of lymphedema
Helps heal leg ulcers
Aids PMS
The ingredients and what each will do for you
: Diosmin, Horse chestnut, Butcherís broom and Hesperidin. Each of these ingredients has beneficial effects on vein health and treatment of varicose veins, leg swelling, hemorrhoids, PMS and more... ??Diosmin?Diosmin is a naturally occurring flavonoid glycoside isolated from various plants and the flavonoid hesperidin. Diosmin is a vascularprotecting agent used to treat chronic venous insuficiency, hemorrhoids, lymphedema, and varicose veins. Diosmin is also a powerful antiinflammatory and free-radical scavenging agent. Diosmin should also be used for dermatitis and wound healing. ??Diosmin is derived by extracting hesperidin from citrus rinds, followed by conversion of hesperidin to diosmin. Diosmin has been used for more than 30 years as a vein tonic and vascularprotecting agent. It is now being researched for cancer, premenstrual syndrome, colitis, and diabetes. ??Diosmin improves vein tone, increases lymphatic drainage, protects capillaries, inhibits inflammation, and reduces capillary fragility and permeability. ??Diosmin and Varicose Veins/Chronic Venous Insufficiency?Chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by pain, leg heaviness, a sensation of swelling and cramps, and is often seen in those with varicose veins. A multicentre international trial involving 5,052 people with chronic venous insufficiency evaluated Diosmin. Patients were treated with 450 mg diosmin and 50 mg hesperidin daily for six months. Continuous clinical improvement was found throughout the study, as well as improvements in quality of life scores for participants. ??Diosmin has also been effective in treating severe stages of chronic venous insufficiency, including venous ulceration and delayed healing. In a randomized multicentre trial, 900 mg diosmin and 100 mg hesperidin was given to patients in the treatment group. Complete healing of ulcers less than 10 cm in diameter was found. ??Diosmin and Hemorrhoids?Several large clinical trials have demonstrated diosmin to be effective in the treatment of acute and chronic symptoms of hemorrhoids. A doubleblind, placebo-controlled study of 120 patients showed improvement of pain, pruritis, discharge, edema, erythema, and bleeding on examination. The treatment group was given diosmin and hesperidin for two months. Elimination of acute and chronic hemorrhoids was successful. ??Diosmin and Lymphedema?Diosmin acts on the lymphatic system by increasing lymph flow and lymph oncotic pressure. Diosmin was used to treat upper limb lymphedema secondary to conventional therapy for breast cancer. Results showed improvement of symptoms and limb volume; the mean decrease in volume of the swollen limb reached 6.8 percent. ??There are no documented cases of adverse interactions between diosmin and prescription medications. ??Horse Chestnut?Horse Chestnut extract is used for the treatment of the symptoms of venous insuffciency (including pain and heaviness in the legs), night time cramps in the calves, and itchy, swollen legs; along with phlebitis and varicose veins. It is also effective for hemorrhoids, skin inflammation and premenstrual syndrome. ??Aescin, the active ingredient in horse chestnut, tones the walls of the veins, improving the flow of blood back to the heart. It also relieves swelling by stopping excessive leakage through the walls of the capillaries (the tiny vessels that deliver blood to the tissues). ??Horse Chestnutís ability to relieve swelling in the legs has been confirmed in several rigorous clinical trials where it proved to be as effective as the uncomfortable compression stockings that are often prescribed. ??For example, a 1996 study involving 240 patients, reported that horse chestnut seed extract (aescin, 50 mg twice a day) provided the same relief from lower leg swelling (edema) as compression (support) stockings. ??An analysis of 13 clinical trials published in Archives of Dermatology in 1998 found Horse chestnut extract was significantly better than a placebo in relieving vein-related leg problems such as varicose veins. ??Painful and inflamed hemorrhoids subside with the addition of horse chestnut extract for the same reasons that the remedy is so effective for varicose veins. By strengthening and toning the veins, as well as actually lessening swelling and fluid retention in the body, the hemorrhoid – a swollen vein itself – can recede. ??Butcher's broom extract?Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) has been shown in several clinical trials to reduce varicose veins and hemorrhoids, and to treat the itching and burning of hemorrhoids. It is also used to help treat lower leg discomfort, including cramps, pain, itching and swelling, caused by pooling of blood in the veins. Research has also evaluated the combination of butcherís broom along with hesperidin and horse chestnut extract. ??A 1994 review of the pharmacological studies indicated that butcherís broom extract exerts activity on the three levels of circulation involved in chronic venous insufficiency. It acts on lymphatic drainage, the constriction of blood vessels and microcirculation. When used in combination with the other ingredients in VeinSense, it also improves the strength of veins and reduces permeability. Butcherís broom has been found to reduce blood pooling in the lower leg and also the size of the ankle and lower leg. Butcherís broom also reduces enlarged veins. ??During a 2-month treatment period with butcherís broom extract in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 60 patients with CVI, a significant reduction in heavy legs, tired legs, evening edema, pain, pruritus and cramps was seen. Reduction in average ankle circumference for the treatment group compared to placebo was significant at the end of the trial. ??Butcher's Broom and Premenstrual Syndrome (PMS)?In a randomized, double-blind trial, 40 women suffering PMS received either butcherís broom extract along with diosmin or placebo for 90 days. Breast pain (Mastalgia), menstrual pain and mood were significantly improved in the treatment group compared to the placebo. ??Hesperidin?Hesperidin is the main flavonoid in lemons and oranges. The peel and membrane have the highest hesperidin concentrations. Th erefore, orange juice containing pulp is richer in the flavonoid than that without pulp. Sweet oranges (Citrus sinensis) and tangelos are the richest dietary sources of hesperidin. Hesperidin is classified as a citrus bioflavonoid. ??Hesperidin, in combination with diosmin, is used in Europe for the treatment of venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids. Hesperidin reduces the permeability of capillaries and is an anti-inflammatory. In combination with diosmin, hesperidin has significantly improved acute internal hemorrhoids of pregnancy in a clinical open trial. ??FORMULA: ??Each Capsule Contains:??Diosmin (micronized) 300 mg; ?Horse Chestnut (Aesculus hippocast-anum) Extract (20% escin) 167 mg; ?Butcherís Broom (Ruscus aculeatus) Extract (10% ruscogenins)(rhizome) 33 mg;?Hesperidin 33 mg. ??Non-medicinal ingredients: Vegetarian capsule (cellulose, purified water) with rice starch and vegetable grade magnesium stearate (lubricant). ??Recommended adult dose: 3 capsules daily with food or as directed by a health practitioner. Keep out of reach of children. Sealed for your protection and freshness. ??This product does not contain artificial preservatives, colour or sweeteners; corn, dairy, soy or yeast. ??ALL FORMULAS ARE MANUFACTURER TESTED AND 3RD PARTY VERIFIED FOR POTENCY
The product is simply amazing and is quickly becoming every health food stores leading selling product in regards to vein health and PMS .
Again it comes from a quality company and a quality person Who has developed products for health the company Preferred Nutrition Ltd and the researcher/developer is Lorna Vanderhaeghe.
Again I hope I have helped educate and helped you become aware of health
Thanks for reading ..Greg Foster ..visit our web site at HYPERLINK "http://www.choices4wellness.ca" www.choices4wellness.ca
Inspiration of the week: Limitations live only in our minds. But if we use our imaginations, our possibilities become limitless.
Greg Foster, owner of Choices4Wellness has a long history in the Natural Health industry. Since 1987 Greg's goal has been to own and operate his own store. While working toward his goal, he was a sales associate for Prolab a sports nutrition company. Greg also worked as a personal trainer and helped people achieve their fat loss and fitness goals, while also teaching them that these goals were about a "whole" lifestyle approach and the benefits of supplements and healthy food choices . Always teaching that it's about FAT LOSS not weight loss, Greg is now able to live out his dream of owning a health food store so that he can better meet the needs of his clients. Greg has a personal training room at the store where he has one on one time with his clients. They range from teenagers to couples that want personalized time and attention to achieve fitness goals without the busy atmosphere of a gym, where sometimes your precious work-out time is gobbled up by socializing and waiting your turn on the equipment.. It is during this time that Greg is able to recommend lifestyle choices to enhance your work-out routine & a positive mental attitude. Being a father of 3 boys, ages Trevor 18, Chad 10,and Shane 9 , Greg is sympathetic to living a busy life, and helps to make fitness goals realistic as well. At 41, Greg Foster , has embarked on a journey of entrepreneurial spirit, meshed with a passion to see people lead healthier ,happier lives. Truly, a business combination for success. Kim Iles, the manager of Choices4Wellness, is no stranger to the Natural Health Industry. She formerly founded and owned Alternative Choices from 1993 until its closing in 2004. During those 11years, Kim achieved many levels of business experience. She was on the board of directors for the CHFA (Canadian Health Food Association) as well as developing and franchising her Alternative choices concept. Kim's real passion however is with teaching, providing lectures, and spreading her knowledge of natural health through out Chatham-Kent and beyond. Kim is a mother of a 22 year old daughter , Nicole and a 17 year old son, Jordon . To Choices4Wellness, Kim also brings her knowledge of the water purification side of the business. Kim is a former owner and co-founder of Pure Choice Water Centers. The new store located inside of Choices4Wellness is appropriately named Choices4Water with a slogan "water you can believe in", offering state of the art purification better tasting and at better prices than the old business she left behind. Kim has always been a familiar voice on the radio, as well as in the newspaper, as she believes education and creating awareness is vital to getting people use and accept natural health products to create wellness and a lifestyle that enhances their lives.
