Answer:
Varicose veins are swollen, bluish veins that are visible just under the skin. They are caused by weak or damaged vein walls and valves. These can occur due to heredity and aging, as well as from high blood pressure, periods of sitting or standing for long periods of time, weight gain, and pregnancy. For some people, the appearance of varicose veins may be of cosmetic concern only, but for others, they may result from venous insufficiency or other circulatory disease, which may affect both superficial and deeper veins, and cause symptoms such as leg swelling and nighttime leg cramps (NIH 2023).
There is some evidence that pine bark extract (such as Pycnogenol), horse chestnut extract, butcher's broom, gotu kola, and citrus bioflavonoids may reduce the symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency or reduce the appearance of varicose veins, but more research is needed, and there are safety concerns with some of these supplements. Certain lifestyle interventions may also help.
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Sam**99
August 29, 2023I have started taking pine bark extract standardized 3X a day. I have been having issues for months after taking metoprolol with my ankles swelling. I also have RLS. After taking the pine bark, I could slowly feel the swelling going down. I still have the RLS which I would love to know anyone who has a successful treatment for it. My iron levels tested were a bit lower so I take an iron supplement 2X week with Vitamin C. I also supplement with thiamine (benfotiamine.)
ConsumerLab.com
March 11, 2024Please see our article about supplements and restless legs syndrome https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/do-any-supplements-help-for-restless-legs-syndrome/supplements-restless-legs-syndrome/.
Camilla19125
March 27, 2024I've had RLS for most of my life and magnesium at night definitely helps me.
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David5663
July 24, 2023butchers broom, troxerutins, gotu kola and pycnogenol have all worked well for me ( venous insufficiency and postural hypotension); horse chestnut caused a lot of problems.
ConsumerLab.com
July 26, 2023Please see our article about horse chesnut for information about potential adverse effects and drug interactions with horse chesnut https://www.consumerlab.com/answers/can-horse-chestnut-cause-stomach-irritation/horse-chestnut-side-effects/.
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Susan5656
December 09, 2015I have had positive experience with both gotu kola and with Vitamin C bioflavinoids for signs of venous insufficiency.
Patrick5657
August 22, 2019I have used nattokinase with good results. It aim at improving circulation, acting like a proteolytic enzyme and clearing arteries and veins of dead tissues, fibrins, or pieces of proteins jamming the veins and arteries. It will act within few weeks/months depending on a number of factors (doses, etc..) but you can definitely measure beneficial changes by measuring blood pressure over time.
ConsumerLab.com
August 23, 2019Hi Patrick - Thank you for sharing this. Please see the Nattokinase Supplements Review for more about the evidence for nattokinase, and our tests of products https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/nattokinase-supplement-review/nattokinase/.
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