Bruises:

Bruise is a skin discoloration caused by breaks in the blood vessels and leakage of their contents into the soft tissues underneath the skin. It begins as a pinkish red color and progresses to a black or blue discoloration followed by a yellowish-green color at the end. The color of bruise over the course of few days is pinkish red-dark blue-yellowish green.

Bruise is usually associated with swelling, tenderness and soreness. It could occur beneath the skin (subcutaneous), inside the muscles (intramuscular), or over a bone (periosteal). Contusions and hematomas are the most types of bruises.

Potential risk factors for bruise are:

1. Trauma: falls, strains and sprains, pinches, blows, car accidents, and sports injuries.
2. Medical conditions:
   1. Blood clotting disorders.
   2. Liver and kidney diseases.
   3. Blood disorders: hemophilia, leukemia, multiple myeloma, thrombocytopenia, aplastic anemia, and platelet dysfunction.
   4. Inflammation of the vessels (vasculitis).
   5. Autoimmune disease: SLE (systemic lupus erythematous) and RA (rheumatoid arthritis).
   6. Infectious diseases: measles, rubella, mononucleosis (kissing disease), and meningitis.
   7. Connective tissue disorders: Marfan`s syndrome, and Ehlers-Danlos sundrome.
3. Medications: aspirin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Advil, indomethacin etc), blood thinners (warfarin and heparin), Plavix, and some antibiotics.
4. Child or domestic abuse.
5. Insect bites.
6. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
7. Nutritional deficiencies: vitamin C, iron, flavonoids, and vitamin K.
8. Food supplements: Omega-3 and ginkgo biloba.

Nutritional Supports:

Restricted Foods:

1. Sugar and sweets: they interfere with the healing process.
2. Saturated, hydrogenated and trans-fats.
3. Processed foods.

Recommended Foods:

1. Fruits rich in flavonoids: berries and citrus fruits.
2. Fruits and vegetables high in vitamin C: citrus fruits, potatoes, broccoli, tomatoes, and Brussels sprouts.
3. Dark-green leafy vegetables high in vitamin K: kale, parsley, coriander, Swiss chard, collards, turnip greens, mustard greens and spinach.
4. Salmon.
5. Nuts, especially walnuts.
6. Seeds, especially flaxseeds.

Recommended Supplements:

1. Vitamin C: 2 -3 grams a day.
2. French Maritime Pine Bark Extract: 100 – 200 mg a day.
3. Grape Seeds Extract: 50 – 200 mg a day.
4. Omega – 3 Fatty Acids: 1 – 3 grams a day.
5. Bromelain: 1500 mg a day. It reduces inflammation.
6. Quercetin: 1500 – 3000 mg a day. It has an anti-inflammatory affect.
7. Hesperidin: 500 – 1000 mg a day. It is a bioflavonoid that strengthens capillaries and increases effectiveness of vitamin C.
8. Rutin: 500 – 1000 mg a day. It is a bioflavonoid that strengthens capillaries and increases effectiveness of vitamin C.
9. Arnica Oil or Gel: apply topically over the bruise twice a day.
10. Vitamin K: 1000 – 2000 mcg for an acute bruise for two weeks only and 500 mcg in vitamin K deficiency. WARNING: Do NOT take vitamin K if you are taking any blood thinners.
11. Multivitamin: A high potency product.

Miscellaneous Suggestions:

1. Cold compress in acute bruises.
2. Vinegar-warm water compress.
3. Comfrey cream or gel: apply topically over the area three times a day. Mucilage and allantoin are the key active ingredients in comfrey responsible for reducing inflammation and speeding up healing process.