Can Vinegar Cure Varicose Veins?
If you are a varicose vein sufferer who has spent any time on the internet diagnosing your symptoms or seeking out non-medical treatment options, you’ve likely read about a number of home remedies that claim to do the trick. One popular at-home cure for varicose veins is apple cider vinegar.
The question you’re probably asking is, “does it actually work?”
While many people tout apple cider vinegar as an effective cure for varicose veins, only medical treatment can truly free you of varicose veins. Apple cider vinegar does not have any proven effect on visible veins.
The Home Remedy
Apple cider vinegar comes from the juices of mashed apples with the addition of yeast to it. This combination, along with the sugar from the apples, eventually turns into alcohol and then later on to vinegar. Within apple cider vinegar the main ingredient found is called acetic acid. This acid contains many nutrients such as vitamin B and C. These nutrients are good to destroy free radicals in the body and are found to improve circulation which is why people say apple cider vinegar is a cure for varicose veins but it is actually not.
Is There Any Truth to It?
The apple cider vinegar “cure” likely comes from the results of one study conducted in 2016. This study did find that apple cider vinegar eased the discomfort of 120 patients who had varicose veins. However, throughout the study, those whose pain decreased were also elevating their legs above their heart multiple times per day. Elevating the affected limb can also help reduce the pain and swelling due to the blood flow being moved in the right direction and reducing the pressure on the vein. It’s likely that elevating your legs can have a more positive effect than using apple cider vinegar to ease any pain or discomfort that comes from varicose veins.
The Verdict
While apple cider vinegar is not going to cause you any harm, it’s also not going to cure your varicose veins. There are only a few proven cures for varicose veins, and they all require the expertise of a vein specialist. Treatments such as Endovenous Laser Therapy (EVLT) and Transcatheter Sclerotherapy (TCT) are far more effective than unproven home remedies. And the best part? Many patients discover that these treatments are covered by their insurance..
To get real treatment for your varicose veins, contact us today.
Elmore Medical Vein & Laser Treatment Center is the premier vein specialty medical practice in the Central Valley. Dr. Mario H. Gonzalez and his staff offer years of experience and medical expertise that you won’t find anywhere else. Contact us to set up a consultation appointment.