Medically reviewed by Lawrence Markovitz, MD, on August 25, 2023
In this article Center for Vein Restoration, venous insufficiency expert Lawrence Markovitz, MD, addresses the topic of natural remedies for spider veins. Specifically, he answers the question about the impact of vitamin K to help ease spider veins. Here’s what you should know about this fat-soluble vitamin. Dr. Markovitz is the lead vein physician in CVR’s McLean, Virginia, and Purcellville, Virginia, vein clinic locations.
Optimal vein health is imperative to healthy circulation and plays a pivotal role in the health and wellness of your entire body. From body functions to systems regulation, how your veins operate is essential.
One of the best ways to care for your veins is by regularly consuming vein-healthy vitamins and minerals. Aside from a healthy diet and regular exercise, specific vitamins, such as E, K, and D, have been shown to help with vein health, but are they useful in completely curing venous conditions like spider veins?
Let’s focus on the long-claimed benefits of vitamin K cream for spider veins. It has been marketed as a secret formula to help spider veins disappear from the skin’s surface and promote better vein health, but does it work? The verdict is still out on the actual benefits of vitamin K cream for spider veins, although the evidence is that it cannot eliminate spider veins.
In fact, too much vitamin K can be detrimental to your body. Let’s dive into understanding spider veins and treatments, such as vitamin K cream, in more detail.
Spider veins are visible, usually tortuous veins that often appear on legs and thighs in a web-like formation. Unlike more prominent varicose veins, spider veins affect the smaller blood vessels. They occur when healthy veins become overfilled with blood caused by faulty veins due to poor circulation.
Spider veins are most common in women 50 and older but can affect anyone. You are at an increased risk of developing them if you:
The most prominent symptom is purplish-blue, web-like veins on the legs. Other common symptoms include:
It has long been said that vitamin K use can reduce the appearance of spider veins, especially in a cream-based formula. Let’s dive deeper into understanding vitamin K and if it can safely and effectively help spider veins.
Vitamin K is an anticoagulant that helps prevent blood clots. It works by keeping blood flowing smoothly throughout your veins. Supplement forms are taken orally or applied topically to the affected area. Naturally, vitamin K is found in:
Before adding any vitamins to your diet, it is essential to consult with your doctor or vein specialist to determine the proper dosage and implementation.
The short answer is no. While it sounds like a good idea on paper to add vitamin K cream to your spider veins, it's simply ineffective. In fact, too much vitamin K absorption or consumption can lead to adverse health effects, especially if you already have a condition that affects your liver or kidneys or are taking certain medications for blood thinning. In rare cases, too much vitamin K can lead to severe blood clots.
While not all bad, as it has shown positive effects for those diagnosed with osteoporosis, heart disease, and high cholesterol, there needs to be more evidence to prove that vitamin K in any form can effectively treat or eliminate spider veins. Some of the best ways to treat spider veins are wearing compression stockings, walking regularly, and elevating your legs. Another effective option is sclerotherapy.
Center for Vein Restoration (CVR) offers the most effective treatment options to heal your spider veins in a minimally invasive and nonsurgical way. If you’re hoping to reverse the effects of poor circulation or the appearance and symptoms of spider veins on your thighs and calves, please visit a CVR vein clinic location near you.
CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE. Questions? Please give us a call or 240-965-3915.
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