With constant heat, I risk swollen legs all year round. Help from vitamin C

There are no longer “ally” seasons for the legs for the approximately 20 million Italians who suffer from venous insufficiency. A very substantial share made up predominantly of women, but which also concerns 15% of men affected by venous stasis, which usually worsens in the hottest months of the year but which today, due to the average high temperatures, becomes a problem for all the year.

Venous insufficiency

”The heat, in fact, exacerbates the symptoms of venous insufficiency of the lower limbs, a chronic pathology caused by the difficulty of the blood in returning from the peripheral veins of the legs to the heart. A problem mistakenly considered only aesthetic which instead requires attention and care” states the Professor Alessandro Frullini, honorary president of the Italian Phlebological Association.

Liquids in tissues

“In particular, heat-related edema is the result of an abnormal accumulation of fluid in the tissues that causes the blood vessels to dilate and the small valves that regulate flow in the vessels to weaken, making it difficult for the veins to pump blood towards the heart – he explains Edoardo Cervi, scientific director of the Italian Phlebological Association (AFI), specialist in Vascular and General Surgery and author of a study that has demonstrated that a mix of bromelain and liposomal vitamin C is a new one, if associated with regular movement and a balanced, poor diet of salt and rich in water, it has a strong impact on reducing edema. The results of the work, just published in the International Journal of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, show that just one administration per day is enough to benefit from the maximum effect that is usually obtained with two doses of bromelain daily.

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“Venous insufficiency of the lower limbs affects around 30% of women, but not even men are immune, even if they tend to ignore and underestimate the problem – underlines Cervi -. In fact, 15% suffer from swollen and painful legs. of the male population”. However, the incidence of venous insufficiency increases with age, especially in women: between the ages of 20 and 30, it affects 20% of women and 10% of men, while after the age of 50, men remain unchanged at 20 % and in women, with the arrival of menopause which causes a weakening of the blood vessel, this rises to 50%. In practice, among the over 50s, 1 in 2 suffers from venous insufficiency.

Familiarity

“Often linked to family history, the main risk factors for venous insufficiency are obesity, smoking, a sedentary lifestyle and the presence of postural pathologies – observes Cervi -. The heat can worsen the condition, causing vasodilation of the entire circulation venous. This means that the veins of the legs, already affected by venous insufficiency, suffer even more due to further enlargement, also favored by the stagnation of liquids caused by slower drainage. A healthy diet and physical movement are therefore essential regularly, with very simple exercises, walking, cycling or even an exercise bike, rotating the ankles and doing ‘gentle’ stretching which can provide relief from swelling”.

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In these conditions, a high dosage of bromelain associated with a particular formulation of vitamin C can be of great help. “Bromelain is a complex enzymatic mixture extracted from both the pulp and the stem of pineapple, capable of breaking down and metabolizing other proteins, obtaining amino acids basic – highlights Cervi -. This results in an anti-inflammatory effect through a joint analgesic, antiangiogenic and antioxidant action. For the treatment of venous insufficiency it has been shown to be effective at a maximum dose of 1 gram per day combined with vitamin C. thanks to a nanotechnology that optimizes absorption without side effects, reduces oxidative stress and improves vascular remodeling.”