Varicose veins — those gnarled, bulging veins, usually in legs — affect about half of the adult population of the United States.

For most people, varicose veins and spider veins (their smaller, capillary-based cousins) are merely unsightly nuisances, but they can also make walking and standing extremely painful, and in extreme cases, they can cause skin ulcers, tumors, blood clots, and even severe bleeding if punctured.

Normally your leg muscles help pump blood against gravity up your legs and to your heart. Unfortunately, with aging, these vein pumps can break down, causing blood to pool and veins to bulge.

Varicose veins are more common in women, and often hereditary. However, pregnancy, obesity, menopause, aging, prolonged standing, leg injury, and constipation (abdominal straining) can all increase incidence and severity of stressed-out veins. 

While there is no sure way to prevent the formation of varicose veins, there are a number of things you can do to decrease your chances of them.

Supplements for Healthy Circulation, Strong Blood Vessels & More

Vitamin C - Vitamin C aids circulation, promotes the healing of sores, and strengthens vein walls to prevent collapse (remember how ascorbic acid mends collagen tears in the arteries?). Shoot for 500mg to 3g daily.

Vitamin E - Vitamin E helps keep platelets -- blood components involved in clotting -- from sticking together and adhering to the sides of blood vessel walls. Hmm. Also sounds good the old ticker, eh? Try 200 to 600IU daily for maximum support.

Ginkgo Biloba – Ginkgo strengthens blood vessels and improves peripheral circulation and blood flow which takes strain off your poor old veins. Another two-fer (two for one, if you're slow) as ginkgo is good for brain health.

Grape Seed Extract – Bioflavonoids in grape seed extract help protect vein integrity and prevent free radical stress. At least 100mg daily will help you out.

B Vitamins – B vitamins, especially vitamin B6 and folic acid, help maintain blood vessels and reduce homocysteine levels, thus reducing blood clot risk so common to varicose vein sufferers.

Fiber – Tsk, tsk, straining caused by constipation stresses your lower body muscles and can worsen varicose veins. Eat more fiber (aim for 25-30 grams a day) and boost your water intake to ensure that you are poo-ing easily and often, and you'll take stress off your poor veins.  ^..^

Common Sense Tips for Your Healthy Circulation

• Exercise regularly. Stay fit to keep your leg muscles toned, your blood pumping, and your weight under control.
• Stretch it out. If you're on your feet a lot (or you're in airplanes a lot), stretch and exercise your legs as often as possible to increase circulation and reduce pressure buildup.
• Put your feet up. You couch potatoes will love this one. Take time to elevate your feet above your heart and let gravity work in your favor to help pooled blood drain from your legs.
• Nix the cruel shoes. Ladies, avoid high heels, which strain your leg muscles and impair circulation.
• Wear loose clothing. Tight jeans (or girdles, egad!) restrict blood flow and can leave blood pooled in your legs.

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