Hemorrhoids and Veins Hx
Dr. Claire Arcidiacono, ND
Many people call telling me they have hemorrhoids and/or anal polyps. I always ask people to be specific as to exactly what is going on in their digestive tract. While to most people, hemorrhoids might seem to be the same as polyps, they are not actually the same thing. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower part of the rectum and anus. Polyps are a growth of cells in a clump. While both hemorrhoids and colon polyps can cause rectal bleeding, hemorrhoids are the Number 1 cause. Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include blood in the stool or when you wipe, swelling, pain and itching. It is important to note that even though hemorrhoids are usually not dangerous, if bleeding continues for more than a week it is important to see a doctor. In this blog I will concentrate on hemorrhoids. I will also be concentrating on one of our best products for supporting veins, Veins Hx. My reason for highlighting this product is that in my clinical experience when working with hemorrhoids it is especially important to support our blood vessels. There is much to cover so let us get into it, shall we?
The risk factors for hemorrhoids include having an unhealthy lifestyle. Unhealthy lifestyle habits that can increase the risk of hemorrhoids include being obese, smoking, alcohol intake and low water/fiber intake as well as diet high in fat and meat consumption. Low physical activity is also a risk factor. Constipation is the most common cause of hemorrhoids. Other risk factors can include anal sex, and pregnancy. (11) Having a colonoscopy and or sigmoidoscopy to rule out hemorrhoids. (6) One of the best ways to treat a hemorrhoid is to remove it. However, there are ways to strengthen our veins if hemorrhoids are a concern for you! The best product for this is Veins Hx!
Veins Hx is a formula made of vitamins and herbal extracts that studies have found to be helpful for circulation. What exactly is in Veins Hx? Veins Hx contains Vitamin C, Citrus Bioflavonoids, Horse Chestnut, Horsetail Rush Silica, Gotu Kola and Bilberry! Herbal formulas studied and found to be helpful for hemorrhoids include, Gotu Kola, Horse chestnut and bilberry. (17) As you can see Veins Hx contains all these things!
Let’s start with Vitamin C! What does Vitamin C do for our circulation? To start with studies have found Vitamin C may help to slow down the buildup of atherosclerosis. This is important as it is a risk factor for poor circulation. Additionally, other studies have found that Vitamin C can help keep our arteries flexible, which is important for circulation. Vitamin C also appears to help protect our arteries via its anti-inflammatory properties. (18) Vitamin C has also been found to boost nitric oxide which leads to vasodilation or the “opening up” of the blood vessels. This allows the blood to flow easier through the vessels. (19)
The next item is called Citrus Bioflavonoids. What is a Citrus Bioflavonoid? These are powerful antioxidants that come from citrus foods and have specific benefits to our health. (20) Bioflavonoids are important for circulation because in studies they help to strengthen blood vessel walls. (21) Bioflavonoids are also helpful because they are anti- inflammatory! (22)
Next is Horse Chestnut. Horse Chestnuts are a very well-known therapy for poor circulation. Studies show that after using Horse Chestnut there is an improvement in circulation! (23) Lastly studies have also shown that Horse Chestnut is anti-inflammatory, which is always good for circulation and overall health. (24)
Horsetail Rush Silica, contrary to what you may be thinking, does not actually come from a horse. It comes from the leaves of the horsetail plant and is rich in silica. Recent studies have found that silica can help with circulation. Studies have also recently found that silica can help form collagen, which is a building block of skin, cartilage, blood, connective tissues and even our muscles and ligaments all of which make up our circulatory system. (26)
Gotu Kola may have you squinting for a moment since most people associate it with brain and memory. But think for a moment – why is associated with brain and memory? Because it helps with circulation! Studies have also shown gotu kola to increase overall circulation and blood flow. (27)
Lastly we have Bilberry extract. Bilberry has amazing benefits for our health. According to studies bilberry can help with cholesterol, atherosclerosis, and even reduce the risk of blood clots! Additionally, Bilberry can also help with our blood pressure. Bilberries have also been found to help circulation. And of course we can’t forget the other benefits of Bilberry including our eye health, liver health and even our overall digestive health! (28)
What else can you do to help with hemorrhoids?
- Eliminate constipation! Please see my blog for helpful hints on encouraging healthy bowel movements!
- Probiotics have been found in studies to be helpful for hemorrhoids. (12, 13) See Invite’s Probiotic Hx and Probiotic Immune!
- L Glutamine is an amazing amino acid found to be helpful at rebuilding and repairing the digestive tract. Which is why it’s such a favorite for digestive health! (9) Please See Invites GI Maintain and Amino Acid Growth factor powder.
Sources:
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/colon-polyps/symptoms-causes/syc-20352875
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15370-colon-polyps
- https://www.mskcc.org/cancer-care/risk-assessment-screening/genetic-counseling-and-testing/hereditary-cancer-genes-and-hereditary-cancer-syndromes/hereditary-colon-cancer-and-polyposis
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/colon-polyp-cancer-risk/
- https://www.gastrohealthpartners.com/identifying-different-types-of-colorectal-polyps/
- https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/understanding-hemorrhoids-basics
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31859087/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7146259/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4369670/
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3963320/
- https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/colon-polyps/eating-diet-nutrition
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7438237/
- https://www.stlukes-stl.com/health-content/medicine/33/000077.htm#:~:text=Nutrition%20and%20Dietary%20Supplements&text=Probiotics%20%2C%20or%20%22friendly%22%20bacteria,their%20physician%20before%20taking%20probiotics.
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6205744/
- https://princetonlongevitycenter.com/colon_polyps/
- https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/sitz-bath
- https://www.wnyurology.com/content.aspx?chunkiid=21721#:~:text=Other%20sources%20of%20bioflavonoids%20have,symptoms%20as%20compared%20to%20placebo.
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/supplement/vitamin-c-ascorbic-acid#:~:text=Other%20studies%20suggest%20that%20vitamin,potential%20results%20of%20having%20atherosclerosis
- https://texaseva.com/posts/news/ask-the-vein-doctors-why-is-it-good-to-take-vitamin-c/
- https://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/articles/what-are-citrus-bioflavonoids.html
- https://restorevein.com/blog-bioflavonoids-benefits-for-vein-health.html#:~:text=The%20results%20in%20increased%20%E2%80%9Cleakiness,the%20function%20of%20the%20vessels
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6431442/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23152216/
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0102695X15001003
- https://www.digicomply.com/dietary-supplements-database/horsetail
- https://get-nourished.com/blogs/nourished/the-benefits-of-silica
- https://www.mountsinai.org/health-library/herb/gotu-kola
- https://www.medicinenet.com/10_emerging_health_benefits_of_bilberries/article.htm
