Show a Leg

By: Kirian Taylor

Women's legs get noticed! Whether we like it or not, women more than men are judged on how shapely and well groomed their legs are. Derogatory or admiring remarks are seldom made about men's legs.

Women are often constantly on their legs, always on the go from morning till night, not only in their jobs - whether the work involves standing up or sitting down - but also in an effort to keep the family and household running smoothly.

Because of this, essential breaks are too short, and legs soon become tired and heavy. Being overweight is another factor, as is the bad habit of wearing high heeled shoes and continually crossing your legs.

So it is hardly surprising that women are more prone to vein problems than men. In addition, they have a predisposition towards weaker connective tissue, because hormonal influences play a part and pregnancy (or pregnancies) can exacerbate the condition.

However, let's not forget the men. Too much stress, too much inactivity, smoking, being overweight and too little in the way of sports can result in painful or varicose veins.

Problems with veins are not in the first instance a cosmetic problem. The transition from healthy to unhealthy legs is imperceptible and in many cases not visible. If you have several of the following risk factors, or are already experiencing the first symptoms, self help is called for to avoid the possibility of weakening in the veins. When changes in the leg veins become visible, the blood vessels are already damaged.

What can you do?

Horse Chestnut (Aesculus) seed extracts such as A.Vogel Venaforce Horse Chestnut tablets, have been used for many years as a treatment for the symptoms of varicose veins.

So, what should you take it for?

• Swollen ankles
• Cramp in the calf muscle
• Pains in the legs
• Varicose veins

Those who dread the hot weather because their legs feel weighted with concrete, turning walking into a drag, may wish to try Venaforce. It can be taken alongside the externally-applied Horse Chestnut gel Venagel for tired heavy legs.

Factors which do not help your varicose veins:

• Stand or sit for long periods at work
• Constantly sit cross-legged
• Do not do enough sport
• Wear high-heeled shoes
• Seldom walk or climb stairs
• Smoke
• Drink too much alcohol
• Are overweight
• Sometimes have tired, heavy or tingly legs

10 tips for improved circulation in the legs and to strengthen the muscle to vein pump

1. 'Vein-friendly' types of sport are: walking, running, cycling and swimming. Going for walks, climbing stairs and the gym all help to keep the legs fit.

2. If you must sit more than you like, a footstool under the desk will take the weight off the thighs and back of the knees, and the circulation will improve. Get used to doing the 'toe to heel seesaw' several times a day: stand on your toes and after a few seconds slowly lower the heels and repeat.

3. Treading water can help improve circulation, so look out that swimming costume.

4. Raise the legs as often as possible and do not cross the legs when sitting down.

5. Do not wear tight shoes and in the daytime, do not wear high-heeled shoes if possible. Also, clothing should not be restrictive: try to avoid tight trousers, belts and garters.

6. Watch your weight! Every extra kilo puts additional pressure on the circulation.

7. Nicotine is the Number One toxin as far as the vascular system is concerned. Women smokers using hormonal contraception have a higher risk of having thrombosis.

8. The diet should be rich in fibre, vitamins and minerals. For cold meals use a good quality oil with unsaturated fatty acids and for hot meals use olive oil. Add bitter vegetables and salads such as artichokes, chicory and endives to your diet - your liver and circulatory system will thank you for it. And do not forget to drink a lot of water - when possible 1.5 to 2 litres per day.

9. Avoid great heat and taking baths which are too hot. Visits to the sauna are possible if you keep the legs constantly raised while you are in the sweat room and make sure to take the subsequent cold showers.

10. Before going to bed, rinse the feet, calves and the back of the legs with cold water. This strengthens the veins and promotes sleep. During the night, the blood flow will be relieved if the legs are raised higher than the heart.

Venaforce Horse Chestnut gastro-resistant tablets – a traditional herbal medicinal product for the relief of symptoms associated with chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins, such as tired, heavy legs, pain, cramps and swelling, exclusively based upon long-standing use as a traditional remedy. Always read the leaflet.