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Natural Solutions For Swollen Or Painful Legs And Feet

Natural Solutions For Swollen Or Painful Legs And FeetAt the end of a busy or active day, do you find yourself with uncomfortable, swollen feet and ankles? Or, are you self-conscious about unsightly varicose veins in your legs, that may even be tender to the touch?

While you may think these are just some of the natural consequences of aging, that doesn’t necessarily have to be the case. Aging can contribute to some of these minor discomforts, but a more significant contributor may actually be poor blood flow. While aging can contribute to some degree to reduced blood flow, there are some other factors that may make a difference too—like your weight, activity level, and hydration status.

Fortunately, there are some safe ways to help improve your blood flow naturally by making healthy lifestyle choices—including the addition of carefully formulated supplements.

In this article, you will learn:

  • How poor blood flow is the culprit of uncomfortable feet and ankle swelling and varicose veins
  • The importance of nitric oxide, the body’s natural vasodilator that helps improve blood circulation
  • Some natural strategies to help with blood flow, including weight loss, regular exercise, staying hydrated, and using compression hosiery
  • How Juvenon BloodFlow-7, by way of its carefully chosen ingredients, can help boost NO production and healthy blood flow

What Causes Leg Swelling and Varicose Veins?

The short answer is: Poor blood flow.

As they get further and further away from the heart, your blood vessels get smaller and smaller—many even branching into tiny, microscopic vessels called capillaries.

Moreover, as you age, it gets harder and harder for your body to efficiently pump blood to these distant vessels and capillaries, which can lead to swelling and varicose veins. But these issues aren’t just cosmetic—this reduced blood flow can also contribute to discomfort in your legs and feet, especially after you’ve been standing for a while.[1]

Other telltale signs that you may be experiencing are poor circulation in your extremities including numbness or tingling in your feet, cold hands and feet, fatigue, and ulcers in your legs and feet.

And while these issues may not seem like a huge deal if taken at face value, they are signs of a deeper circulation issue—and they can significantly affect your quality of life and keep you from leading the healthy, active lifestyle you desire as you age.

The Importance of Nitric Oxide in Blood Flow

Nitric oxide (NO) is a gas produced by your cells that plays a key role in blood vessel regulation. Each of your blood vessels has an inner lining known as the endothelium which regulates the widening (vasodilation) or narrowing (vasoconstriction) of the vessel to control blood flow.

Nitric oxide is a vasodilator, so it widens the blood vessels—allowing for increased blood flow and improved circulation.[2]

Unfortunately, aging can impair your body’s ability to produce nitric oxide on its own and reduce your body’s ability to respond to the nitric oxide it does produce. Risk factors for decreased nitric oxide function found in one study included aging and being female.[3]

Natural Ways to Improve Circulation in Legs and Feet

Adequate Hydration

Fortunately, there are many lifestyle changes that may help you to naturally improve your circulation to relieve discomfort from swelling and varicose veins. Some of the changes that may have the most significant effects include:

  • Weight loss. Carrying excess body fat can physically constrict your blood vessels, making it harder for blood to pump fully throughout your circulatory system. However, weight loss not only can improve this, but weight loss may also help your body regulate NO production.[4,5]
  • Exercise. Regular exercise can get your blood pumping harder, making it easier for blood to circulate to your lower extremities. One review of high quality scientific studies noted that cardio exercise intensity and improvements to endothelial function were linked, but that all types of exercise provided a benefit. Even if you’re not currently active, any small changes to your physical activity level might help improve your blood flow.[6]
  • Adequate hydration. One of the key determinants of your blood volume (the amount of blood you have in your body) is how well-hydrated you are. Even slight dehydration can reduce your blood volume, making it harder for your heart to pump blood throughout your whole body. And unfortunately, your thirst sensations may diminish as you age—making it even easier for you to become dehydrated. Aim to quench your thirst with water each day, and for your urine to be pale yellow in color—and drink extra if it’s hot or if you’re spending time outside[7]
  • Compression hosiery. Swelling in your legs is caused by a buildup of fluid, usually when standing for long periods of time. Inadequate blood flow causes the pooling of fluid in your legs thanks to gravity. However, compression hosiery or socks can help prevent this pooling and improve your swelling.[8]
  • Supplements. Finally, certain supplements may also help. There are many different compounds, food sources, and vitamins that may help your body to create more NO or to respond better to NO. Juvenon’s Bloodflow-7 is one such product.

Juvenon Bloodflow-7 Promoted Healthy Blood Flow

Bloodflow-7 was meticulously designed to help improve your body’s nitric oxide system in three different ways:

  1. Provide the raw materials your body needs to create new nitric oxide
  2. Help your body use nitric oxide more efficiently
  3. Protect nitric oxide from degradation by free radicals

What’s more, is that BloodFlow-7 isn’t just for varicose veins or swelling. Improving your body’s nitric oxide production and utilization can have a whole host of positive effects like:

  • Increasing your energy and vitality
  • Optimizing focus and concentration
  • Promoting a healthy sex drive and stellar sexual performance, and
  • Helping you maintain healthy blood pressure

Here’s how the carefully chosen ingredients in Bloodflow-7 can boost nitric oxide and promote healthy blood flow, through a daily dose of just three tablets per day.

Nitric Oxide Precursor Blend

Bloodflow-7 contains citrulline and arginine, two amino acids (protein precursors) that your body can use to synthesize nitric oxide. Researchers have found that supplementation with these two compounds may increase nitric oxide formation, supporting healthy blood flow.[9,10]

It also contains glutathione, an antioxidant that helps to maintain the bioavailability of nitric oxide by protecting it from premature breakdown.[11]

All together, this nitric oxide Precursor Blend in Bloodflow-7 may help to enhance both nitric oxide production and your body’s responsiveness to nitric oxide.

BloodFlow-7 contains a combined 1,080 mg of these ingredients (citrulline, arginine, and glutathione) in a single dose.

Beet root extract

Beets are a natural source of dietary nitrates, compounds that can be easily broken down and transformed into nitric oxide. Beet root extract offers a particularly concentrated form of the nitrites, with the 100mg of beet root extract in a single serving of Bloodflow-7 containing 25% betaine nitrate.

One evidenced based study in healthy people found that daily beetroot supplementation for 4 weeks increased nitric oxide production, improved endothelial function, and reduced blood pressure compared to a control group, with no notable side effects.[12]

S7 Blend

The S7 Blend in Bloodflow-7 is a unique blend of whole food antioxidants that may help to improve blood flow and defend your cells and your nitric oxide supply from free radical damage and degradation. The ingredients in this blend include:

  • Green coffee bean extract: rich in antioxidants and contains organic acids that may boost nitric oxide function[13]
  • Green tea leaf extract: contains free radical scavenging compounds that help to regulate nitric oxide production in the body[14]
  • Turmeric root extract: contains curcumin, a powerful natural antioxidant that may help relieve discomfort and protect against free radical damage[15,16]
  • Tart cherry: rich in antioxidants and may help improve vascular circulation[17]
  • Blueberry: shown to help improve endothelial function and defend cells from free radical attacks[18]
  • Broccoli: contains free radical fighting antioxidants like quercetin and sulforaphane[19,20]
  • Kale: closely related to broccoli and equally rich in antioxidants and health boosting compounds[21]

Together, these ingredients help to protect the nitric oxide your body produces from being broken down before you’re able to use it. They are also significant for overall health because of their antioxidant and nutrient content, which offer a host of other benefits.

A serving of BloodFlow-7 provides 50 mg combined of these ingredients.

Trans-resveratrol

Trans-resveratrol is an antioxidant found in dark chocolate and red wine. You’ve probably heard of its heart health boosting potential before.

It’s unique in that it can pull double duty when it comes to nitric oxide. Not only does it stimulate the production of nitric oxide through your body’s established mechanisms, it also protects nitric oxide from free radical breakdown.[22]

That’s why you’ll find 30 mg of it in a daily dose of BloodFlow-7.

Takeaway

While blood flow can naturally decrease as you age, there are ways to mitigate the discomfort and problems associated with it—like swelling and varicose veins—through healthy lifestyle choices.

Nitric oxide production is a key consideration, as it’s your body’s own vasodilator—meaning it helps open up the blood vessels so your blood can circulate more freely.

Natural ways to improve your circulation include weight loss if you are carrying excess fat, regular exercise, staying hydrated, wearing compression garments, and supplementation.

Carefully designed and informed by science, Juvenon’s BloodFlow-7 contains a targeted blend of amino acids and whole food antioxidants. It can help to improve your endothelial function, nitric oxide utilization, and blood flow in three key ways:

  • Increased nitric oxide production
  • Improved nitric oxide utilization
  • Protection of nitric oxide from free radicals

BloodFlow-7 can help to get your blood pumping, reduce the discomfort associated with swelling and varicose veins, and help you to lead the healthy and active life you desire.

References

  1. Youn YJ, Lee J. Chronic venous insufficiency and varicose veins of the lower extremities. Korean J Intern Med. 2019;34(2):269-283. doi:10.3904/kjim.2018.230
  2. Ferrari AU, Radaelli A, Mori T, et al. Nitric oxide-dependent vasodilation and the regulation of arterial blood pressure. J Cardiovasc Pharmacol. 2001;38 Suppl 2:S19-S22. doi:10.1097/00005344-200111002-00006
  3. Sverdlov AL, Ngo DT, Chan WP, Chirkov YY, Horowitz JD. Aging of the nitric oxide system: are we as old as our NO?. J Am Heart Assoc. 2014;3(4):e000973. Published 2014 Aug 18. doi:10.1161/JAHA.114.000973
  4. Sorop O, Olver TD, van de Wouw J, et al. The microcirculation: a key player in obesity-associated cardiovascular disease. Cardiovasc Res. 2017;113(9):1035-1045. doi:10.1093/cvr/cvx093
  5. Fenster CP, Darley-Usmar VM, Landar AL, et al. Weight loss and race modulate nitric oxide metabolism in overweight women. Free Radic Biol Med. 2004;37(5):695-702. doi:10.1016/j.freeradbiomed.2004.05.021
  6. Ashor AW, Lara J, Siervo M, et al. Exercise modalities and endothelial function: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Sports Med. 2015;45(2):279-296. doi:10.1007/s40279-014-0272-9
  7. Sharma R, Sharma S. Physiology, Blood Volume. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; April 20, 2021.
  8. Rabe E, Partsch H, Hafner J, et al. Indications for medical compression stockings in venous and lymphatic disorders: An evidence-based consensus statement. Phlebology. 2018;33(3):163-184. doi:10.1177/0268355516689631
  9. Ströhle A, von Bibra H, Hahn A. Bedeutung von L-Arginin für die Gefäßgesundheit [L-Arginine and vascular health]. Med Monatsschr Pharm. 2016;39(12):515-520.
  10. Figueroa A, Wong A, Jaime SJ, Gonzales JU. Influence of L-citrulline and watermelon supplementation on vascular function and exercise performance. Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care. 2017;20(1):92-98. doi:10.1097/MCO.0000000000000340
  11. Robaczewska J, Kedziora-Kornatowska K, Kozakiewicz M, et al. Role of glutathione metabolism and glutathione-related antioxidant defense systems in hypertension. J Physiol Pharmacol. 2016;67(3):331-337.
  12. Kapil V, Khambata RS, Robertson A, Caulfield MJ, Ahluwalia A. Dietary nitrate provides sustained blood pressure lowering in hypertensive patients: a randomized, phase 2, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Hypertension. 2015;65(2):320-327. doi:10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.04675
  13. Ochiai R, Jokura H, Suzuki A, et al. Green coffee bean extract improves human vasoreactivity. Hypertens Res. 2004;27(10):731-737. doi:10.1291/hypres.27.731
  14. Agnetti G, Bordoni A, Angeloni C, et al. Green tea modulation of inducible nitric oxide synthase in hypoxic/reoxygenated cardiomyocytes. Biochimie. 2005;87(5):457-460. doi:10.1016/j.biochi.2005.01.004
  15. Sun J, Chen F, Braun C, et al. Role of curcumin in the management of pathological pain. Phytomedicine. 2018;48:129-140. doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2018.04.045
  16. Lin X, Bai D, Wei Z, et al. Curcumin attenuates oxidative stress in RAW264.7 cells by increasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and activating the Nrf2-Keap1 pathway. PLoS One. 2019;14(5):e0216711. Published 2019 May 21. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0216711
  17. Keane KM, Haskell-Ramsay CF, Veasey RC, Howatson G. Montmorency Tart cherries (Prunus cerasus L.) modulate vascular function acutely, in the absence of improvement in cognitive performance. Br J Nutr. 2016;116(11):1935-1944. doi:10.1017/S0007114516004177
  18. Bharat D, Cavalcanti RRM, Petersen C, et al. Blueberry Metabolites Attenuate Lipotoxicity-Induced Endothelial Dysfunction. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2018;62(2):10.1002/mnfr.201700601. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201700601
  19. Anand David AV, Arulmoli R, Parasuraman S. Overviews of Biological Importance of Quercetin: A Bioactive Flavonoid. Pharmacogn Rev. 2016;10(20):84-89. doi:10.4103/0973-7847.194044
  20. Greaney AJ, Maier NK, Leppla SH, Moayeri M. Sulforaphane inhibits multiple inflammasomes through an Nrf2-independent mechanism. J Leukoc Biol. 2016;99(1):189-199. doi:10.1189/jlb.3A0415-155RR
  21. Šamec D, Urlić B, Salopek-Sondi B. Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) as a superfood: Review of the scientific evidence behind the statement. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(15):2411-2422. doi:10.1080/10408398.2018.1454400
  22. Xia N, Förstermann U, Li H. Resveratrol and endothelial nitric oxide. Molecules. 2014;19(10):16102-16121. Published 2014 Oct 9. doi:10.3390/molecules191016102

 

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