Reversing Chronic Venous Insufficiency in an Elderly Man

When I heard about Trump’s leg swelling, I gave AI this prompt: “Channeling a functional medicine, naturopathic doctor, tell me how to reverse chronic venous insufficiency in an 80-year-old male.”

I plugged that prompt into Chat GPT, Google Gemini, and Grok. Then, since Grok writes best (in my opinion), at the end of its result, I added the input from GPT and Gemini and prompted it to incorporate that info and rewrite, rethink, add anything else, and put the footnotes at the end.

I think it did pretty well. Here is the final result, with Grok pretending to be a functional medicine naturopathic doctor, writing a post to help other people with this issue:

As a functional medicine naturopathic doctor, I’ve seen firsthand how chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) can impact quality of life, especially in our golden years. For an 80-year-old man, this condition—where weakened vein valves lead to blood pooling, swelling, and discomfort—requires a thoughtful, tailored approach. Age brings wisdom, but also considerations like frailty, slower healing, and potential interactions with medications. The good news? With holistic strategies, we can support circulation, reduce inflammation, and enhance vein health safely.

In this post, we’ll explore how to adapt a natural reversal plan for seniors, drawing on root-cause healing. Remember, this isn’t medical advice—consult your doctor before starting anything new.

Understanding CVI in the Elderly: Why Age Matters

CVI becomes more common as we age, with prevalence and severity spiking after 65, and even more so over 80.[1][2] Risks like deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or venous ulcers rise significantly, with some studies noting higher complication rates in octogenarians.[3][4] For men, factors like lower testosterone might weaken muscles supporting veins, while comorbidities such as hypertension or diabetes add pressure.[5] A holistic view focuses on inflammation, nutrient gaps, and lifestyle, but with extra caution for safety.

Step 1: A Thorough Root-Cause Assessment

Start with a comprehensive evaluation to spot age-specific vulnerabilities. Dive into history: comorbidities (e.g., heart issues), medications (like blood thinners), and frailty signs like falls.[6] Physical exams check skin fragility and swelling—elderly skin tears easily.[7]

Lab tests are crucial: inflammatory markers (hs-CRP, ESR), deficiencies (vitamin D, B12, magnesium—common in seniors), clotting factors (for DVT risk, which triples over 80), kidney function, and gut health.[8][9] In men, check testosterone if muscle weakness is evident. This personalization ensures safe, effective strategies.

Step 2: Gentle Lifestyle Tweaks for Better Flow

Lifestyle forms the foundation, but adapt for energy and mobility levels.

• Movement That Fits: Opt for low-impact activities like seated ankle pumps or short supervised walks (10-15 minutes). These activate the calf “pump” without risk.[10][11] Chair yoga or swimming if feasible—avoid anything that could cause falls.[12]
• Leg Elevation: Raise legs above heart level for 15-30 minutes, several times daily, to ease swelling comfortably.[13][14]
• Compression Therapy: A key player, using moderate 20-30 mmHg stockings to prevent pooling without harming fragile skin.[15][16] Class 2-3 options reduce ulcer recurrence, but get fitted professionally and check skin daily.[17] If not tolerated, try pneumatic devices.[18]
• Other Habits: Gentle weight management through nutrition, quit smoking, and avoid tight clothes. Stress relief via simple breathwork or acupuncture aids healing.[19][20]

Step 3: Nourishing Diet for Vascular Support

Digestion slows with age, so focus on absorbable, anti-inflammatory foods.

• Emphasize steamed veggies, berries, fatty fish, bone broth, beets, and garlic for nitric oxide boost.[21] Smaller meals with digestive enzymes if needed. Plenty of green veggies for micronutrients and fiber.
• Hydrate with 8-10 glasses of water per day, watching for overload if heart/kidney concerns exist.
• Reduce salt (stay below 3,000 mg/day) if hypertensive and sodium sensitive, and avoid fasting to prevent malnutrition or protein deficiency (protein should be over 100 grams/day).[22]

Step 4: Supplements and Herbs: Proceed with Caution

Lower doses are key, especially with polypharmacy. Always check for drug interactions—e.g., no horse chestnut with blood thinners.[23][24]

• Essentials: Bioflavonoids (300-500 mg diosmin/hesperidin), vitamin C (500 mg), omega-3s (1g), magnesium (200-300 mg).[25][26]
• Others: Red vine leaf (360 mg) or Pycnogenol (100-150 mg) for relief.[27] Vitamin E (200 IU), zinc (15 mg). For metabolic issues, berberine (500 mg).[28]
• Herbs: Minimal doses of gotu kola or butcher’s broom; monitor closely.[29]
• Advanced: L-arginine/citrulline (500-1000 mg each), CoQ10 (100 mg) if on statins.[30]

Step 5: Complementary Therapies and When to Go Conventional

Gentle hydrotherapy (mild contrast soaks) and topicals like witch hazel for skin.[31] Light lymphatic massage from a professional.

Address adrenals or testosterone with supervised adaptogens.

If swelling is advanced, blend with conventional care—minimally invasive procedures like hot/cold therapies are safe and effective even in octogenarians, with low risks.[32][33]

Final Thoughts: Patience and Progress

For an 80-year-old, improvements may take 3-6+ months, but consistency with discussed interventions and nutrition can transform symptoms and prevent complications.[34][35] Monitor weekly, adjust as needed, and celebrate small wins. Aging gracefully means empowering your body’s natural healing—let’s make those legs feel young again!

Disclaimer: Grok is not a doctor; please consult one. Don’t share information that can identify you.

P.S. (PJ’s added two cents): AI won’t tell anyone to pray, but I always do, because God is the ultimate healer. And AI also understated the importance of exercise in this post. The elderly can gain strength just as fast as the “young,” with the right strength training, when pushing to fatigue safely, and ensuring good nutrition (including adequate protein and hydration). X Gym methods are also ideal with this type of strength goal because of our Time Under Tension method and controlled movement style.

Footnotes

[1] Chronic Venous Insufficiency With Emphasis on the Geriatric… – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10358300/

[2] The association between chronic venous disease and measures of… – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8518156/

[3] Chronic Venous Insufficiency: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16872-chronic-venous-insufficiency-cvi

[4] Management of Lower Extremity Pain from Chronic Venous… – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8126535/

[5] Chronic Venous Insufficiency | Circulation – https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/circulationaha.113.006898

[6] Chronic Venous Insufficiency | Penn Medicine – https://www.pennmedicine.org/conditions/chronic-venous-insufficiency

[7] Senior Leg Vein Health: Essential Care Guide for Adults Over 65 – https://www.metroveincenters.com/blog/senior-leg-vein-health

[8] 3 Functional Medicine Labs That Help Personalize Geriatric Patients… – https://www.rupahealth.com/post/3-functional-medicine-labs-to-help-geriatric-patients-achieve-balanced-nutrition

[9] Functional Medicine Nutrition and Exercise Protocol for Aging… – https://www.rupahealth.com/post/functional-medicine-nutrition-and-exercise-protocol-for-aging-populations-enhancing-longevity-and-well-being

[10] 6 Ways to Reverse the Symptoms of Chronic Venous Insufficiency – https://www.cvmus.com/blog/6-ways-reverse-symptoms-venous-insufficiency-home-remedies-included

[11] Chronic Venous Insufficiency (+ 8 Natural Ways to Help CVI) – Dr. Axe – https://draxe.com/health/chronic-venous-insufficiency/

[12] Venous Insufficiency: Causes and Treatments for All Ages – https://certifiedfoot.com/venous-insufficiency-what-is-it/

[13] Leg elevation: Lifting your legs above the level of your heart can help reduce pressure in your leg veins. – https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/16872-chronic-venous-insufficiency-cvi

[14] Chronic Venous Insufficiency | Johns Hopkins Medicine – https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/chronic-venous-insufficiency

[15] Lifestyle Changes for Chronic Venous Insufficiency – https://nyulangone.org/conditions/chronic-venous-insufficiency/treatments/lifestyle-changes-for-chronic-venous-insufficiency

[16] Management of Varicose Veins – AAFP – https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2008/1201/p1289.html

[17] The Seriousness of Chronic Venous Disease: A Review of Real… – https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12325-019-0881-7

[18] Water-based therapy for chronic venous insufficiency – Cochrane – https://www.cochrane.org/evidence/CD013085_water-based-therapy-chronic-venous-insufficiency

[19] Many older adults look beyond conventional medicine for help, but… – https://www.michiganmedicine.org/health-lab/many-older-adults-look-beyond-conventional-medicine-help-few-talk-their-doctors-about-it

[20] Holistic Approach to Venous Insufficiency: 5 Treatment Options – https://releviummd.com/blog/holistic-approach-to-venous-insufficiency-5-treatment-options/

[21] Venous Insufficiency 101: Causes, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention – https://www.nortonschool.com/blog/venous-insufficiency-101-causes-symptoms-treatment-prevention/

[22] Can Diet Really Help Cure Chronic Venous Insufficiency? – Vein Envy – https://www.veinenvy.com/diet-for-venous-insufficiency/

[23] Alternative Treatments | Herbs & Supplements for Vein Disorders – https://veinhealthcarecenter.com/patient-information.php?Alternative-Treatments-3

[24] Horse-Chestnut Seed Extract for Chronic Venous Insufficiency – https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamadermatology/fullarticle/189561

[25] Therapeutic applications of natural products in the management of… – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11992006/

[26] Chronic Venous Insufficiency (Holistic) – Health Information Library – https://www.peacehealth.org/medical-topics/id/hn-1188006

[27] Herbal drugs in chronic venous disease treatment: An update – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0367326X24004398

[28] Therapeutic potential of flavonoids in the treatment of chronic… – https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S153718912030330X

[29] Anti-Inflammatory and Anti-Vascular Leakage Effects by… – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8060118/

[30] 9 Home Remedies for Varicose Veins – Verywell Health – https://www.verywellhealth.com/natural-treatments-for-varicose-veins-89260

[31] Getting Rid of Varicose Veins with Home Remedies – The Truth – https://www.ukveinclinic.com/blog/home-remedies-for-varicose-veins-and-why-they-dont-work

[32] Vein stripping has been shown to be an effective treatment for venous insufficiency… – https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8126535/

[33] Case Studies In Palliative Wound Care – https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/podiatry/case-studies-in-palliative-wound-care

[34] How to Reverse Venous Insufficiency – Expert Tips & Guide – https://jerseyjsr.com/how-to-reverse-venous-insufficiency-expert-tips-guide/

[35] 10 home remedies for varicose veins – Medical News Today – https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/321703