4. Nattokinase
If you’ve got spider veins or varicose veins, you’re at a higher risk of getting blood clots. That’s because when blood isn’t flowing right, it can pool and get all sticky. Nattokinase is an enzyme that comes from fermented soybeans. It’s pretty cool because it can naturally break down blood clots and thin out your blood, which helps with circulation. It also helps clear out scar tissue inside your veins, opening up those blood vessel pathways so blood can flow freely. A typical dose is 100 to 200 mg daily in a capsule. But, and this is important, if you’re already taking blood thinners, definitely talk to your doctor first.
3. Horse Chestnut Extract
Walk into any health food store, and you’ll probably see horse chestnut extract in most vein support supplements. Why? Because horse chestnut seeds have a natural compound called aescin. Studies show aescin can make your veins stronger over time and stop tiny blood vessels from leaking fluid into the surrounding tissues. This is super helpful for preventing swelling and inflammation in your legs and feet. People who take this often find their leg pain, swelling, and that heavy feeling go away. The usual dose is 300 to 600 mg per day, and make sure your chosen brand has at least 50 to 100 mg of aescin in each capsule.
2. Diosmin and Hesperidin
One reason your veins might get damaged is that the collagen in their walls gets broken down by certain enzymes in your body. This often happens if you’re not eating enough raw fruits and veggies that are rich in vitamin C and flavonoids. But here’s where diosmin and hesperidin come in.
These are two powerful flavonoids found in the peels of citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, and grapefruits. Clinical trials show these flavonoids can reduce leg pain, heaviness, and swelling for people with varicose veins and chronic venous insufficiency.
They do this by blocking those collagen-breaking enzymes, which helps your veins start healing naturally. They’ve also been shown to lower the risk of venous ulcers. A standard dose is around 900 mg of diosmin and 100 mg of hesperidin daily.