Do You Bruise Easily

Try These Natural Supplements and Treatments

OVERVIEW

Bruising is a contusion to the skin caused by contact with a hard object. The capillaries (tiny blood vessels beneath the skin) are ruptured, but the skin is not broken. The bruised area swells as blood from the broken blood vessels seeps into the tissues and turns into various shades of red, blue, and purple. Eventually the blood cells are broken down, reabsorbed, and the discoloration and swelling disappear.

Easy bruising that is not the result of dietary deficiencies (e.g., vitamin K) may be caused by some medications (e.g., blood thinners) or other health conditions (e.g., leukemia).

SUPPLEMENTS FOR BRUISING

There are several natural supplements that can help with bruising. Consult with your healthcare provider to see which of the following supplements may be appropriate for you.

Vitamins & Minerals

No vitamins or minerals standout as being very helpful in reducing the tendency to bruise.

Less helpful supplements: vitamin C, vitamin K.

Other Supplements

Citrus Bioflavonoids – In supplements, citrus bioflavonoids usually come from lemons, limes, oranges, and grapefruit. Citrus bioflavonoids work well with vitamin C, and, like the vitamin, have antioxidant properties. Look for a product that is standardized to at least 40% active bioflavonoids.

Quercetin – Natural sources of quercetin include apples, berries, broccoli, grapes (purple and red), onions, red wine, and tea (black and green). Besides helping with bruising, quercetin may help with allergies, heart disease, diabetes, and inflammation.

Herbs

Bilberry – A relative of the blueberry, bilberry contains several known active ingredients, including anthocyanosides, chlorogenic acid, flavonoids, and tannins. As with quercetin, it may also be helpful with heart disease.

Grape Seed – Along with a pine bark extract (pycnogenols), grape seed contains oligomer proanthocyanidins (OPCs), sometimes called procyanidolic oligomers. Besides OPCs, grape seed contain catechins, ellagic acid, fruit acids (citric, malic, oxalic, succinic, tartaric), and resveratrol. Grape seed extract may also be helpful with cancer, heart disease, and inflammation.

Grape Skin – Purple and red grape skin extract contains a mix of substances, some of which are also found in grape seeds and some in red wine. These substances include nonbioflavonoid polyphenols (derivatives of cinnamic and benzoic acid) and bioflavonoid polyphenols (quercetin, catechins, flavonols, and anthocyanidins). One of these ingredients, resveratrol, a phytoalexin, was found to have antiplatelet aggregating activity. Grape skin extract may also be helpful with heart disease.

Horse Chestnut – This herb’s seeds contain many active ingredients, including flavonoids (quercetin), oligomeric proanthocyanidins, and triterpene saponins (aescin or escin). As with the other herbs listed above, horse chestnut works by strengthening capillaries. Besides bruising, it is often recommended for hemorrhoids and varicose veins.

COMMENTS

Some medications, such as corticosteroids and aspirin, can increase the tendency for bruising.

References
Jellin, JM, editor. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 2005.
Pillepich, JA. The Nutraceutical Reference Guide, 2005.

For bruising, consider Age-Less Paks, which contain Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Bilberry, Citrus Bioflavonoids, Grape Seed, and Grape Skin.

The products and the claims made about specific products on or through this site have not been evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent disease. The information provided on this site is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professionals or any information contained on or in any product label or packaging. You should not use the information on this site for diagnosis or treatment of any health problem or for prescription of any medication or other treatment. You should consult with a healthcare professional before starting any diet, exercise or supplementation program, before taking any medication, or if you have or suspect you might have a health problem. Your health is our major concern.

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