Venaforce Forte is used for the symptomatic treatment associated with venous insufficiency and varicose veins. Venous insufficiency is a complex state involving an increase in capillary and vein pressure, an increase in capillary permeability, a blood stasis, an edema, inflammation, etc. Its precise cause is still unknown but many risk factors have been identified: overweight, hypertension, tobacco, alcohol, lack of physical activity, bad diet, pregnancy, standing or sitting stationary work (nurse, pharmacist, clerk), constipation, etc.

The symptoms of venous insufficiency may be benign, like heavy and tired legs, but may also be much more serious, like varicose veins, painful hemorrhoids and even phlebitis. Aside from surgery (that eliminates the diseased veins but does not stop the progression of varicose veins), there are few treatments for venous insufficiency. Support stockings are effective but so uncomfortable that very few people wear them.

Horse Chestnut seed extract is used for venous insufficiency problems (including phlebitis), fragile capillaries, liver congestion, diarrhea and fever.

The active ingredients of Horse Chestnut seeds are triterpene saponines (about thirty) collectively known as aescine or escine. Aescine increases vein wall resistance and reduces permeability (seepage), objectively reducing venous insufficiency symptoms (edema, swelling, etc.). Horse Chestnut seed extract is known for its phlebotonic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and vein wall protector effects.(1) It inhibits elastase and hyaluronidase activity. These two enzymes degrade the vein wall and the surrounding tissues (like collagen) therefore increasing venous insufficiency symptoms and progression (like spider veins, varicose veins and hemorrhoids).(2)

In vitro, aescine has demonstrated an anti-inflammatory effect.(3)

Horse Chestnut seed cannot reverse varicose veins.(4) Its effect is limited to symptom control and a slowing down of the disease progression, translating in an increased quality of life.

The German Commission E acknowledges its benefits in cases of: treatment of complaints found in pathological conditions of the veins of the legs (chronic venous insufficiency), for example, pains and a sensation of heaviness in the legs, nocturnal systremma (cramps in the calves), pruritis and swelling of the legs.

Recommended Use: Take 1 tablet every 12 hours with water during meals. Duration of use: May be used to up to 6 weeks.

Contraindications: known allergy to Horse Chestnut.

Horse Chestnut seed is not recommended during pregnancy and nursing. It can theoretically interact with anticoagulant drugs: do not combine Venaforce Forte with Coumadin or other blood-thinning medications. Ne pas utiliser si vous souffrez de troubles cardiaques, rénaux et/ou hépatiques.

The only reported side effect is a mild gastric discomfort that is eliminated when the tablet is taken with food. The most important risk factors of venous insufficiency can be controlled. It is therefore necessary to modify these factors (lose excess weight; improve the diet by eating more fruits, vegetables and whole grains; stop smoking; exercise; etc.) to effectively stop the disease progression.

Ingredients: Each tablet contains: Fresh Horse Chestnut seed tincture concentrate (Aesculus hippocastanum) 191.25 mg. Standardized to 50 mg aescine (or escine) by tablet.

Non medicinal ingredients: Microcrystalline cellulose, cornstarch, methacrylic acid copolymer, silica, soy polysaccharides, talc, triethyl citrate.