Veins
Mr. Skeptical observes some of the pics I’m using for this post. They are pics of my veins in my arms and body, and he’s looking at me with the most sarcastic look.
I want to smack the look off his face.
He’s plotting something. Machiavellian thoughts are bouncing in his head like silver coins tossed upon a marble table, each one gleaming with the promise of treachery.
I just hope I don’t get my ass bitten too hard when he says what he’s thinking.
Subconscious Fat at 30,000 feet
When researching veins, the most interesting thing about them is that they are very gender biased. For the most part, men love veins, and women hate them.
Mr. Skeptical asks, “Why don’t you start explaining the difference between veins and arteries?”
I hate it when Mr. Skeptical makes suggestions, especially when he’s right.
Arteries take oxygenated blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Veins carry oxygen-depleted blood back to the heart. Structurally, arteries have thicker walls to handle the higher pressures exerted by the heart better as it pumps oxygenated blood.
Veins, on the other hand, possess thinner walls, but they feature valves. These valves prevent backflow, facilitating the efficient return to the heart.
Subconscious Fat at 10,000 feet
Mr. Skeptical asks, “Why do women tend to hate veins and men love them?”
“Simple cultural and societal beauty standards cause these perceptions. Women tend to view bulging veins as associated with aging, illness, and lack of femininity.”
“But isn’t varicose veins a medical condition?”
“Yes and no. It’s rare for varicose veins to get to a point where they are causing serious health problems. It’s a gray area between medical and cosmetic conditions. Many women want them removed because they look ugly.”
“How do you know this?”
“I’ve had female clients tell me so. And while researching for this topic, a whole bunch of medical clinics pop-up on the searches offering their services to decrease and remove varicose veins.”
“Hmmmm,” says Mr. Skeptical while touching his chin. “You’d think a lot of these women would maybe exaggerate their symptoms to get a medical vein removal procedure done?”
“Perhaps.” I shrug my shoulders. “I’m sure there have been women with real health issues due to varicose veins and many who simply want the unsightly veins removed.”
For men, there are tons of videos on how to make your veins stand out more. One YouTube influencer states you should shave your arms.
“I’m surprised you haven’t done that,” comments Mr. Skeptical.
My eyes squint at him. “Why would I?”
“Well, you have large veins.”
“I do. But I didn’t pursue them. They just started coming out.”
Mr. Skeptical leans closer to me, like a detective hunting the missing clue from a murder suspect. “So, just out of nowhere, you started to get larger veins. You didn’t do anything to enhance the large veins?”
“What are you alluding to? That I take steroids or testosterone?”
He leans back, shrugging his shoulders. “I didn’t say it you did.”
I glare at him but can’t be too mad because I can relate to his perspective. He does have a valid point.
Subconscious Fat at Eye-Level
I have a friend who I knew from federal prison. I’ve seen him on social media since, and he’s mentioned taking testosterone. His veins started to show more prominently. I then concluded that the bulging veins were a result of taking testosterone.
Mr. Skeptical lifts his hand, saying, “There you go.”
“Let me finish. Testosterone will help a man decrease body fat and gain muscle; consequently, the veins will appear larger. However, since I’ve been on the carnivore diet, my body fat has decreased along with gaining more muscle and having more vascularity, but I’ve never taken testosterone or steroids. It’s like saying nowadays if somebody loses weight, it must be Ozempic. When in reality it may or may not be.”
Practical Suggestions and Conclusions
I have nothing against people who take testosterone, yet I always prefer to do things naturally. I follow the philosophy that ‘there’s always a price to pay (often unintended and subconscious) when you mess with Mother Nature.’
It’s the same reason I’ve never used artificial sweeteners in my coffee.
Why I avoid vegetable and seed oils for cooking.
Why I also decided not to get a vasectomy.
Why I avoid the highly processed wheat produced in the United States.
Why I agree with and understand many women who don’t want to take birth control pills.
Why I think it’s foolish to take Ozempic (mostly women) and testosterone (mostly men) when you haven’t tried a carnivore diet along with a good workout routine.
If you’re a man who likes having bulging veins, know that decreasing body fat and gaining muscle will produce more vascularity. If you’re a woman who dislikes vascularity, look at all the options carefully and make an informed choice.
As we ponder the influences that guide our decisions, let us embrace the wisdom of honoring our body’s innate intelligence and seeking harmony with the rhythms of nature–a testament to the enduring pursuit of holistic well-being.
Be aware.
PS Links in Facebook and Instagram. Full disclosure: Chat GPT was used to research and enhance this post.
PSS The past Meat-UP event had a good turnout.
