By Linda Woolven and Ted Snider, The Natural Path
For some, varicose veins are a cosmetic concern; for others, they can be a serious health concern. Nature can offer help in the form of antioxidant rich grape seed extract.
Varicose veins are enlarged, bulging veins, usually in the legs. For some, they do not cause pain. For others, they can cause achy, heavy feeling legs; swelling in the lower legs accompanied by burning, throbbing and muscle cramps; and itching around the vein.
Varicose veins are caused by weakened or damaged valves that are supposed to open to allow blood to return to the heart from the legs and then close to stop the blood from flowing back. In varicose veins, the weakened valves allow the blood to flow back and pool in the veins.
Conventional treatment usually includes exercise, raising your legs when sitting or lying down and compression stockings. A new single-blind, controlled study set out to see what would happen if you added grape seed extract to conventional therapy.
The study included 176 people with varicose veins. They all did conventional therapy, but half added 150mg of grape seed extract twice a day for 12 weeks.
For the half that added grape seed extract, there was a significantly greater reduction in blood flowing back into the legs in both superficial and deep veins. Significant improvement in blood flow in the deep veins is important, the researchers say, because they cannot be treated by surgery or ablation.
Significantly more people in the grapeseed group experienced improved venous reflux (43 people versus 21), and the improvement in symptoms and quality of life was greater.
This study suggests that supplementing grape seed extract can improve varicose veins and that adding it to lifestyle modifications is more effective than those changes alone.
Source
J Vasc Surg Venous Lymphat Disord. January 2026;14(1):102355.
Find it at Nutrition World
Grape seed extract from several brands:
- Grape seed extract: NOW Foods Grape Seed Antioxidant 100 mg, Solaray Grape Seed Extract 100 mg and Solaray Grape Seed Extract 200 mg (100 mg and 200 mg strengths)
Browse the full antioxidants collection, or stop by the store at 2401 PGA Blvd in Palm Beach Gardens and we'll help you compare labels. Questions? Call (561) 626-4377.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.