Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) is a
medical condition where the veins cannot
pump enough oxygen-poor blood from feet and
legs back to the heart. This is due to
damaged or "incompetent" valves in leg veins
to hold blood against gravity, leading to
sluggish movement of blood out of the veins,
resulting in swollen legs, often accompanied
by a dull ache made worse with prolonged
standing. It may occur following excessive
clotting and inflammation of the leg veins,
a disease known as deep vein thrombosis. If
CVI is allowed to progress, the skin tends
to darken and ulcers may occur.
CVI often causes varicose veins, which are
twisted, enlarged veins close to the
surface. They can occur almost anywhere but
most commonly occur in the esophagus and the
legs. Veins, which return blood to the
heart, contain valves that keep blood from
flowing backward as a result of gravity.
When these valves become weak, blood pools
in the veins of the legs and causes them to
bulge. These enlarged vessels are called
varicose veins.
Standing and sitting for long periods of
time, lack of exercise, obesity and
pregnancy all tend to promote the formation
of varicose veins. Sometimes varicose veins
are painful, but elevating the affected leg
usually brings significant relief. Symptoms
of varicose veins may include a dull pain,
itch or heavy sensation in the legs. The
sensation is worse after prolonged standing
and better when the legs are elevated.
Varicose veins typically appear on the legs
as dilated, tortuous veins close to the
surface of the skin, and may look blue.
Advanced varicose veins may cause ankle and
leg swelling or skin ulcers.
Fortunately there are herbs and nutrients
that can help to support healthy vein
function and blood circulation. These
include horse chestnut, grape seed, ginkgo
biloba and gotu kola, as well as rutin.
Prolife Vein-care has included these
ingredients in the formulation for
individuals that are prone to suffer from
CVI and varicose veins.
Grape seed contains a high
level of proanthocyanidins, also known as
OPCs, which belong to the flavonoid family,
a class of water-soluble plant pigments.
OPCs have antioxidant activity and they play
a role in the stabilization of collagen and
maintenance of elastin. These two proteins
are found in connective tissues that support
organs, joints, blood vessels and muscle.
OPCs have been shown to strengthen
capillaries, improve aspects of vision, and
prevent abnormal blood clotting in smokers.
Italian researchers underwent a clinical
and capillaroscopic evaluation of the use of
OPCs in patients with non-complicated CVI.
24 patients completed the study and they
were given OPCs daily. The patients were
examined to evaluate the efficacy of the
OPCs using an instrumental evaluation by
optical probe capillaroscope, as well as the
traditional subjective clinical parameters,
which included swelling, itching, heaviness
and pain.
The results show a positive clinical
response in over 80% of patients, with
significant improvement of symptoms already
evident after the first 10 days of
treatment. The mechanism of action of the
OPCs explains the rapid reduction of the
swelling of the lower limbs. Itching and
pain had completely disappeared in 80% and
53% of the patients respectively. A total of
70% of patients experienced improvement.
There was no report of adverse events during
the study. These findings justify the use of
OPCs in the treatment of non-complicated CVI.
Horse chestnut is native to
Asia and northern Greece, but it is now
cultivated in many areas of Europe and North
America. This plant is a valuable herb used
for strengthening veins. It is particularly
useful for vein problems such as varicose
veins and haemorrhoids.
In German, a meta-analysis of randomised
controlled trials and large observational
studies was conducted on the efficacy,
routine effectiveness, and safety of horse
chestnut in the treatment of CVI. Using a
systematic literature search, 13 randomised
controlled trials of CVI (1,051 patients)
and 3 observational studies (10,725
patients) were identified. Examined outcomes
were leg volume, ankle and calf
circumference, edema, pain, sensation of
tension, swelling, leg fatigue/heaviness,
calf cramps and itching.
The randomised controlled trials indicated
that horse chestnut improved symptoms in
patients with CVI. Compared to placebo,
horse chestnut reduced leg volume and
increased the likelihood of improvement in
leg pain. Similarly, improvement
probabilities were increased for edema and
itching. Observational studies showed
significant effectiveness regarding pain,
edema and leg fatigue/heaviness. No severe
adverse events were reported, and horse
chestnut did not significantly increase mild
adverse events. Based on meta-analyses of
randomised controlled trials and
observational studies, horse chestnut
appears to be an effective and safe
treatment for CVI.
Ginkgo biloba is the
world’s oldest living tree species. Its
leaves have been used in modern herbal
medicine. Ginkgo has many valuable effects
including stabilising cell membranes,
reducing free radical damage, improving
blood circulation and enhancing oxygen and
glucose use. It is particularly beneficial
for brain, nerves and blood vessels.
The effect of ginkgo biloba on blood
fluidity and cutaneous microcirculation was
studied in a randomised, placebo controlled,
single-blind cross-over study. A total of 10
apparently healthy subjects were given
ginkgo biloba. Microcirculation was measured
before and every 30 minutes for 4 hours
after administration of ginkgo biloba, and
fluidity of blood was determined before and
after 1, 2 and 4 hours. There was a
remarkable decrease on the erythrocyte
aggregation observed 2 hours after
administration of ginkgo biloba.
The blood flow in the nail fold capillaries
increased significantly 1 hour after
administration. This study demonstrates that
ginkgo biloba is useful for enhancing the
fluidity and circulation of blood.
Mehlsen J. et al carried out a randomised,
double-blinded cross-over study to validate
possible vasodilating effects of a ginkgo
biloba extract. The effect of ginkgo biloba
extract was studied on forearm haemodynamics
in 16 healthy subjects with a median age of
32 years using oral treatment with ginkgo
biloba extract or placebo for 6 weeks.
Forearm blood flow and venous capacity were
measured by strain-gauge plethysmography.
Measurements were made at baseline and after
3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks of treatment.
Forearm blood flow was significantly higher
in the ginkgo group after 3 and 6 weeks as
compared with placebo group for 3 and 6
weeks. It is concluded that oral treatment
with a ginkgo biloba extract is able to
dilate forearm blood vessels causing
increments in regional blood flow without
changing blood pressure levels in healthy
subjects.
Rutin is a glycoside of the
flavonol quercetin. It possesses many
activities including antioxidant,
anti-inflammatory and anti-platelet.
The inhibitory mechanisms of rutin in the
platelet aggregation were studied in human
platelets. The study indicates that the
anti-platelet activity of rutin may involve
several pathways. Rutin inhibits the
activation of phospholipase C, and protein
kinase C activity and thromboxane A(2)
formation. Thereby this leads to inhibition
of the phosphorylation of P47 and
intracellular calcium mobilization. And
finally it results in inhibition of platelet
aggregation.
Gotu kola has been an
important herb in the medicinal systems of
central Asia. In Sri Lanka, it was purported
to prolong life. This herb has wound-healing
and sedative properties. Gotu kola also has
a historical reputation for boosting mental
activity and for helping a variety of
illnesses, such as high blood pressure,
rheumatism, fever, insomnia and nervous
disorders.
Pointel J.P. et al investigated the use of
gotu kola in the treatment of venous
insufficiency of the lower limbs in a
multi-centre, double-blind,
placebo-controlled study. Ninety-four
patients suffering from CVI of the lower
limbs participated in the study. After
randomisation, they were allotted for a
daily treatment period of two months to one
of three groups, high dose of gotu kola, low
dose of gotu kola or placebo.
There was a significant difference in favour
of gotu kola groups. It was shown in the
symptoms of heaviness in the lower limbs and
edema, as well as for the overall evaluation
by the patient. The venous distensibility
measured by a mercury strain gauge
plethysmograph at three occlusion pressures
was improved in the gotu kola groups but
aggravated for the placebo group. This study
showed that gotu kola might be useful for
CVI as it helped to improve the symptoms of
heaviness in the lower limbs and oedema, as
well as enhancing the venous distensibility.
In summary, Vein-care contains potent herbs
including horse chestnut, grape seed, ginkgo
biloba and gotu kola, as well as rutin,
which help to protect the integrity of veins
and capillaries, as well as tone and
strengthen vein walls. The ingredients in
Vein-care support healthy vein and capillary
function, and aid the blood circulation in
the lower extremities. Vein-care is a useful
supplement for those suffering from CVI and
varicose veins.
References:
Costantini A., De Bernardi T., Gotti A.,
Clinical and capillaroscopic evaluation
ofchronic uncomplicated venous insufficiency
with procyanidins extracted from
vitisvinifera, Minerva Cardioangiol. 1999
Jan-Feb; 47 (1-2): 39-46.GNC Healthnotes:
www.gnc.comJung F., Mrowietz C.,
Kiesewetter H., Wenzel E., Effect of Ginkgo
biloba on fluidity ofblood and peripheral
microcirculation in volunteers.
Arzneimittelforschung. 1990 May;40 (5):
589-93.Mehlsen J., Drabaek H., Wiinberg N.,
Winther K., Effects of a Ginkgo biloba
extracton forearm haemodynamics in healthy
volunteers. Clin Physiol Funct Imaging.
2002Nov; 22 (6): 375-8.Pointel J.P.,
Boccalon H., Cloarec M., Ledevehat C.,
Joubert M., Titrated extract ofCentella
asiatica (TECA) in the treatment of venous
insufficiency of the lower limbs.Angiology.
1987 Jan; 38 (1 Pt 1): 46-50.Reavley N., The
New Encyclopedia of Vitamins, Minerals,
Supplements and Herbs,Bookman Press,
Melbourne, 1998.Sheu J.R., Hsiao G., Chou
P.H., Shen M.Y., Chou D.S., Mechanisms
involved in theantiplatelet activity of
rutin, a glycoside of the flavonol quercetin,
in human platelets, JAgric Food Chem. 2004
Jul 14; 52 (14): 4414-8.Siebert U., Brach
M., Sroczynski G., Berla K., Efficacy,
routine effectiveness, andsafety of
horsechestnut seed extract in the treatment
of chronic venous insufficiency.A
meta-analysis of randomized controlled
trials and large observational studies.
IntAngiol. 2002 Dec; 21 (4): 305-15.
