Veins carry blood returning to the heart. A varicose vein is one that has become enlarged and swollen; the condition usually occurs in the legs, where circulation is most difficult. It is unlikely that optimum nutrition can do much for veins that are already varicose; however, adequate vitamins C and E as well as other antioxidants can help to prevent further occurrences. Also, there is some evidence that a high-fibre diet can help to prevent varicose veins.
Diet advice
Regular exercise, especially swimming, will improve the circulation. Putting your feet up and gentle leg massages are all helpful. Application of vitamin E cream is beneficial.
Supplements
• 2 x Multivitamin and multimineral
• 2 x Antioxidant complex
• Vitamin E 400mg
• 2 × Vitamin C 1,000mg plus bioflavonoids
Vitiligo is a condition that causes irregular pale patches of skin due to loss of pigment. The exact cause is unknown but it is thought to be a combination of auto-immune reaction and possibly some genetic predisposition.
There is a good rationale for suspecting poor methylation so testing your homocysteine level, and supplementing B vitamins in appropriate doses, if high, might help although there are no studies on this yet. Methylation also helps control gene expression.
The cause of vitiligo is thought to be excessive local levels of hydrogen peroxide, which would be reversible by increasing catalase, and enzyme that requires vitamin B6 and zinc to function. Therefore, supplementing 100mg of B6 (ideally include some pyridoxal-5-phosphate, the most biologically active form of B6), together with 20mg of zinc, might help.
Vitiligo has also been reported as an associated condition with Hepatitis C infection. Keeping your immune system strong with a diet and supplements high in antioxidants, including daily vitamin C supplementation make sense in this context.
