For many men and women, it often happens after the age of forty that they suddenly have to stop walking because they get a pain in their calves that forces them more and more often to interrupt their chosen path. Usually, during the pain attack, they turn towards a shop window in order not to attract the attention of their fellow men by suddenly stopping. After a certain time, the pain passes and the path can be continued. This discomfort is due to circulatory problems in the legs.
Causes and treatment
Undoubtedly, arteriosclerosis, among other diseases, plays a role in the development of narrowing vascular processes. The cause of the pain is a narrowing of the vascular pathways, which leads to a more or less acute lack of oxygen to the surrounding area and thus impairs function. The longer the blood vessels maintain their tendency to constrict, the longer the pause that the affected person has to take, for example, just when running. If this type of constriction is released, the pain ceases and function is almost completely restored. Unfortunately, it usually does not remain with temporary phenomena, but the changes in the blood vessels continues to increase under a number of damaging factors and leads to a narrowing of the vascular volume. Under unfavorable circumstances, it can even lead to a blockage, either by the blood vessel becoming overgrown or by a blood clot forming and becoming lodged. The real occlusions in the blood vessels of the legs, especially those of the aterial circulation, are often accompanied by very dramatic circumstances. In the case of obstruction of larger blood vessels, the entire leg is usually at risk. The leg may die and a highly dangerous condition may occur, requiring the intervention of a surgeon. However, surgery in this area in particular has developed to such an extent that the limb can be saved if timely intervention is made, for example also by inserting an artificial blood vessel that can heal completely. The blood supply is then still ensured, even if the patient must remain under constant medical treatment and control. In many cases, however, the organism creates a bypass circuit for itself in the affected section and thus secures the blood supply by itself, albeit under somewhat less favorable conditions. If the body creates the help by itself in this way, surgical intervention can be avoided. These changes are also known, among others, as the so-called smoker’s legs. In fact, in these cases, urgent medical advice must be given to refrain from nicotine consumption in any form. This prohibition is particularly strict in the case of younger patients. Nicotine is considered to be a vascular poison that favors the tendency to arteriosclerosis. There is no doubt that factors of a nervous nature, such as mental stress, also have a vasoconstrictive effect. If nicotine consumption is added to this, the effects are particularly harmful. However, a number of other factors, such as prolonged exposure to cold, wetness, ill-fitting shoes or stockings made of synthetic fibers, which impair skin respiration, also have an unfavorable influence. However, stockings made of synthetic fibers need not be used until circulatory problems are severe.
Diet for circulatory disorders
Undoubtedly, for the emergence of narrowing vascular processes, in addition to other diseases, atherosclerosis plays a role. Unfortunately, we usually find the mentioned factors combined, and therefore the treatment must be carried out by various measures. Besides the absolute prohibition of nicotine and a regular daily routine, a special diet is important. It is mainly a diet very rich in vitamins, low in fats, but relatively rich in certain vegetable oils. In any case, excess weight must be avoided, if only to prevent excessive stress on the extremities. Since the so-called unsaturated fatty acids have a favorable effect on the vascular processes according to nutritional science findings, one should consume mainly oils in smaller quantities. Animal and vegetable fats are compounds of glycerine and fatty acids, which are mainly so-called saturated and unsaturated fatty acids. Animal fats contain mainly higher fatty acids such as palmitic, oleic and stearic acids, and few lower fatty acids.The butyric acid in milk fat, for example, is the fatty acid with the lowest number of carbon atoms. If butter becomes rancid, this usually depends on the cleavage of butyric acid fat into butyric acid and glycerol. Animal fat is mainly found stored in fat cells under the skin in connective tissue. Plant fat is found mainly in seeds. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, a distinction is made between monounsaturated fatty acids, such as palmitoleic, oleic and erucic acid, and also the doubly unsaturated linoleic acid, the triply unsaturated linolenic acid and the quadruply unsaturated arachidonic acid. Oleic acid is found not only in vegetable fats but also in animal fats. Erucic acid is found in rapeseed oil, mustard seed oil and grape seed oil. Linoleic and linolenic acids are found in rich quantities in linseed oil. The unsaturated fatty acids are not formed in the human organism and must therefore always be supplied. For this reason they are also called essential fatty acids. It is therefore advisable to use sunflower oil in addition to the above-mentioned oils for food preparation. Above all, it is advisable to add the oils cold to salads. Also when steaming and grilling it is favorable to use small quantities of oil of this type. Those suffering from circulatory disorders should not consume more than 20 to 30 grams of butter per day, unless the attending physician allows larger amounts. White bread and cakes, sweets and chocolate should also be avoided in the diet if possible. The need for sweets is best met with pure bee honey, which can also be mixed with food and drinks. It contains a large number of so-called trace elements, which play an important role in the cell metabolism of the human organism. Of the bread types, the most beneficial are the whole-grain breads, as they contain vitamins as well as minerals. Potatoes can also be included in the diet for circulatory disorders. Pasta, on the other hand, can be dispensed with, as it is only a source of calories, not nutrients. Low salt is also sought in the diet for vascular processes. In this context, rice as a carbohydrate is of great importance, as it ensures a low-salt permanent diet. It should be noted that the consumption of meat and protein should be as low as possible. The most favorable protein carrier is curd cheese, preferably without cream. Cheese is already again too fat-containing. Small amounts of semi-hard cheese can be consumed occasionally, also fresh eggs, but they should be included in the diet with restraint. Fish, preferably boiled, steamed or grilled, is more beneficial than meat. Sausage is best avoided altogether, as its fat and salt content is uncontrollable. Vitamin requirements can be met from all fruits and vegetables that are available in abundance. Juices, especially apple juice, are also recommended. Modern food processors guarantee fast juicing of fresh fruit, so we can learn to avoid canned food or fruit juice concentrates as much as possible. But also steamed vegetables, such as peppers, chicory and Chinese cabbage, help to keep our blood vessels elastic.
