Expert: Dr. Kristina Conner - 3/16/2008

Question
Hi Kristina,

I've had a varicocele and a quite prominent one ever since i was a teenager
(i'm now 22).
I'm eat predominantly organic food, hardly ever eat sugar, drink water (not
filtered), exercise regularly (have started kung fu and qigong), and have
always lead quite a healthy lifestyle (grew up on an organic/biodynamic
farm).

I've recently cut back allot on drinking (now drink maybe one beer a week). I
feel very healthy and quite vital but i haven't noticed any positive changes in
my varicocele (although i'm being healthy because i like it, not with any
specific aim of trying to heal the varicocele).

I was wondering if there's something you would recommend as a treatment
option like should i be taking something each day?

I'm about 189 centremeters tall and quite fit. I'm a student living in the city
(Melbourne) and spend time each day in front of a computer.

Thanks very much for your advice,

Matt in Australia

Answer
Hello Matt,
That's great that you are looking to improve your lifestyle for overall health.  That will benefit you greatly in the future.  
A varicocele like any varicosity will benefit from anything that helps strengthen the integrity of the blood vessels.  Phytonutrients from a variety of (organic as much as possible) fruits & vegetables are important for this effect.  Of particular benefit are vitamin C rich foods like citrus, and proanthocyanadins from dark berries like blueberries & blackberries, also high in grapes.  These can obviously be obtained from foods, but you might consider a supplement as well, for a more concentrated effect.  Other herbs that are often used for blood vessels include butcher's broom, horsechestnut, cayenne pepper, gingko, and gotu kola.  Finally, you do want to make sure that you are getting regular exercise, plenty of fluids, little caffeine & alcohol, and maintaining other healthy habits like adequate sleep, which it sounds like you already do.  Computers use can be fine as long as you take breaks & don't sit for hours on end.  
Thanks for writing & good luck,
Dr Conner