Enzyme therapy for varicose veins is a treatment modality you should really consider. With varicose veins, swelling is a major issue. You want to alleviate as much pressure on your vein walls as possible. Thankfully, there are enzymes that can reduce that swelling and even soothe inflammation!

What is an Enzyme?

An enzyme is a protein that speeds up chemical reactions in our bodies. They catalyze essential body functions like blood coagulation, growth, healing, digestion, breathing, and more. Checking your body’s enzyme levels can be part of routine blood work your doctor may order. Enzyme markers show the effectiveness of enzymes in your body and if they are doing their jobs.

We have more than 3,000 enzymes in our bodies, and if they are not functioning correctly, we can experience health problems such as heart and liver issues.

Enzymes for Varicose Veins

Many essential enzymes for varicose veins are found in foods like pineapples, bananas, and papayas. In fact, papayas contain an enzyme called papain that’s so good at breaking down proteins, it has been used as a meat tenderizer for thousands of years. And we love touting the benefits of bromelain, which is found in pineapples. Here are other enzymes that will help alleviate some of your varicose vein symptoms.

Systemic and Proteolytic Enzymes

Systemic enzyme therapy (SET) has been used for years to treat various types of inflammation, including chronic venous insufficiency, or vein disease. In fact, this study concludes that “SET has good efficacy, tolerability and holds great promise to improve the quality of life of a patient with chronic vein disease.” SET typically includes the use of proteolytic enzymes like trypsin, bromelain, and the flavonoid rutoside. Your pancreas naturally makes proteolytic enzymes, but those typically decline after age 40.

Proteolytic enzyme supplements are both animal and plant based, so keep this in mind if you live a vegan or vegetarian lifestyle:

• Trypsin and chymotrypsin. These are animal-based proteolytic enzymes and usually come from pigs and cows.
• Papain and bromelain. These are fruit-derived.

In supplement form, these enzymes should be taken on an empty stomach so they can more quickly and easily move to parts of the body where they are needed.

SET is also great for blood cleansing and can prevent blood cells from becoming sticky and clinging to the vein walls.

SIRT1 and NAD+ Supplements

Research from Penn State shows the SIRT1 enzyme can help create new capillaries, and even though its production diminishes with age, restoring SIRT1 can reverse signs of vascular aging. The use of a supplement called precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide was shown to restore and even regrow veins. You can find NAD+ supplements online.

Serrapeptase

Serrapeptase is another anti-inflammatory enzyme that has been shown to reduce symptoms of vein disease. It comes from silkworms and binds to blood cells to help carry blood where it is needed. It’s great for varicose veins because it helps remove atherosclerotic plaque It also helps break down proteins in the blood. It can also help with swelling. Serrapeptase can also be found online and many come with excellent reviews.

Make Enzymes Part of Your Vein Health Routine

Through diet and supplements, you can easily add these powerful enzymes to your daily routine to help ward off worsening varicose vein symptoms. We also encourage you to read up on some other supplements your veins may be craving! If you have symptoms of vein disease, early intervention is your best bet, as these symptoms will not improve on their own. Schedule your free consultation with one of our expert providers and find out if your symptoms are actually vein disease.

Hannah Kohut is Content Editor for Vein Treatment Forum.

These statements have not been verified by the Food and Drug Administration and do not constitute medical advice. Please consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any supplement regimen