How to keep your legs healthy and sexy?

Sometimes sexy legs are not just about the skin on the outside. Keeping our blood vessels healthy and working properly on the inside can help your legs look slim and healthy on the outside. Compression therapy is a well-known method of supporting the natural flow of blood and can be used in conjunction with supplements that can improve the health of your blood vessels.

The most common form of compression therapy is stockings, whether they are knee high, thigh high or tights. These stockings are specially designed to improve blood flow from the lower parts of the body back to the heart by using graduated compression, meaning that the pressure or compression felt at the ankle is greater than that felt higher up in the stocking. Over-the-counter compression stockings come in two levels of compression: 8-15 mmHg and 15-20 mmHg. These lower levels of compression can be useful for those whose feet feel tired at the end of the day and/or those who spend a lot of time sitting and want to prevent future problems. These lower levels of compression do not require a doctor's prescription and are useful for introducing the legs to compression stockings. Those who spend a lot of time on their feet (e.g. nurses, pharmacists, flight attendants, traffic controllers, bank tellers, construction workers, etc.) and find that their feet are a little swollen at the end of the day may benefit from higher levels of compression. Pregnant women who experience swelling in the ankles and legs may find compression stockings very useful. Any compression above 20 mmHg requires a doctor's prescription as a real need and then the level of compression should be properly assessed. Remember that higher levels of compression require proper fitting by a certified fitter, who can also help you choose from the growing range of styles and fabrics available.

There are many natural supplements that can support vein health.  Some common ones include VEINSMART® by Lorna Vanderhaeghe, CIRCUVEIN® by Flora Health and WOBENZYM®N.  They work by different mechanisms, so they can be used together. Both VEINSMART® and CIRCUVEIN® are combinations of herbal astringents, including Diosmin, Horse Chestnut, Butcher's Broom and Hesperidin, which work together to tighten the veins in your body to help return blood to the heart.   WOBENZYM® N is a collection of enzymes that can reduce inflammation and swelling, as well as improve blood properties for better flow throughout the circulatory system.  An interesting tidbit about all these products is that they can also benefit haemorrhoid sufferers. This is because the same ingredients in CIRCUVEIN® are also sold under the brand name HEMORAID®, which is indicated for the symptoms of haemorrhoids. In a class of its own is PYCNOGENOL ™, an extract of maritime pine bark, which has been shown to be as effective as compression stockings in reducing mild oedema. It works by increasing the strength of the capillary walls so that fluid cannot 'leak' into the tissues, which would otherwise cause swelling or oedema.

Because of their therapeutic nature, it may be beneficial to discuss compression products, as well as the supplements mentioned above, with your doctor or pharmacist to ensure that you are using them safely and effectively. Also remember that there may be extended medical coverage for compression products that provide 20mmHg or more of compression when prescribed by a doctor.

Christine and Fred Cheng are a passionate, charismatic sister and brother team of pharmacists at their unique, family-owned and operated Pharmasave stores in Cloverdale and Steveston, B.C. They specialise in natural remedies and compounding for both human and veterinary use. Everything mentioned in their article is available in-store.