We are often asked by our patients if certain diets can cure or treat varicose veins.
Often we hear very specific questions about types of foods, such as tomatoes. While it is tempting to think there are diets and foods that will treat veins, the reality is much different.
It is true that a healthy diet can help a patient live in better health. For example, some patients experience more varicose vein symptoms when they put on weight or eat a lot of salt. But tomatoes alone are not a varicose vein cure.
Why People Believe Tomato Can Cure Varicose Veins
There is an old European tale that placing tomatoes on varicose veins, bandaging them in place, and leaving them for a few hours at a time will slowly remove the appearance of these veins. There is no medical evidence that supports this idea. However, there could be perhaps benefits to lessen inflammation in the skin.
Tomatoes do have flavonoids that help strengthen blood vessel walls, as well as acidic properties that act as a blood thinner and anti-coagulant. They can help prevent the blood from thickening and reduce the pressure on the affected blood vessels.
So when eaten as a part of a regular healthy diet, tomatoes can help prevent the occurrence of varicose veins. It is not known for sure, however, if applying them directly to the veins helps.
What is the Actual Cure for Varicose Veins?
Once a patient develops varicose veins, a particular diet or at-home remedy is not likely going to make them go away. The good news is that there are ways to treat varicose vein symptoms that will make them more tolerable for a longer period of time.
A healthy diet and healthy weight can help lessen symptoms of varicose veins such as ache, throbbing and swelling. This can of course include tomatoes. It cannot, however, directly treat or cure varicose veins and make them go away. For those that need treatment, a consult with a vein specialist can help sort out the treatment options where the veins can be treated and fade away.
Does a Vein Treatment Cure Varicose Veins?
First of all, it is best not to think of a treatment as a cure. We can readily treat varicose veins with modern, no downtime approaches. But like many things in medicine, these are helpful treatments but not a cure.
Vein treatments can last for many years for most patients. Others recur earlier. This is often driven by genetic factors as to how fast patients make new varicose veins.
Schedule a Vein Consultation
If you are interested in learning more about varicose veins treatment options, simply fill out our Online Appointment Request Form or call any of our clinics in Northwest Portland , Tigard, Happy Valley, Hillsboro or Bend, Oregon.