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Health Condition

Peripheral Vascular Disease

  • Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

    Vitamin B3 may help prevent and treat skin ulcers caused by peripheral vascular disease.

    Dose:

    1,200 mg a day of inositol hexaniacinate
    Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
    ×
     

    One controlled study compared a type of niacin (vitamin B3) known as inositol hexaniacinate to the drug pyridinolcarbamate for the treatment of skin ulcers caused by PVD.3 A placebo was not included in this trial, and both 1.2 grams daily of inositol hexaniacinate and 1.5 grams daily of the drug produced beneficial results in about half of the patients.

  • Folic Acid

    As with other vascular diseases, people with thromboangiitis obliterans are more likely to have low levels of folic acid. Supplementing with folic acid may help correct a deficiency.

    Dose:

    Refer to label instructions
    Folic Acid
    ×
     

    As with other vascular diseases, people with TAO are more likely to have high levels of homocysteine and low levels of folic acid.4 However, no research has tested folic acid as prevention or treatment for this disease.

What Are Star Ratings
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Reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a substantial health benefit.
Contradictory, insufficient, or preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or minimal health benefit.
For an herb, supported by traditional use but minimal or no scientific evidence. For a supplement, little scientific support.

Holistic Options

Intravenous chelation therapy has been reported to be an effective treatment for PVD.5,6 A partially controlled study reported improvements after ten chelation treatments.7 However, two double-blind studies found no difference between chelation therapy and a placebo in patients with intermittent claudication.8,9

Preliminary reports suggest acupuncture may reduce pain and improve blood flow in TAO,10,11 but controlled studies are needed to better evaluate these claims.

References

1. Anderson LA. An update on the cause of abdominal aortic aneurysms. J Vasc Nurs 1994;12:95-100 [review].

2. MacSweeney ST, Powell JT, Greenhalgh RM. Pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysm. Br J Surg 1994;81:935-41 [review].

3. Mishima Y, Kamiya K, Sakaguchi S, et al. A multiclinic double-blind trial of pyridinolcarbamate and inositol niacinate in ischemic ulcer due to chronic arterial occlusion. Angiology 1977;28:84-94.

4. Stammler F, Diehm C, Hsu E, et al. The prevalence of hyperhomocysteinemia in thromboangiitis obliterans. Does homocysteine play a role pathogenetically? Dtsch Med Wochenschr 1996;121:1417-23 [in German].

5. Olszewer E, Carter JP. EDTA chelation therapy in chronic degenerative disease. Med Hypotheses 1988;27:41-9.

6. Chappell LT, Janson M. EDTA chelation therapy in the treatment of vascular disease. J Cardiovasc Nurs 1996;10:78-86.

7. Olszewer E, Sabbag FC, Carter JP. A pilot double-blind study of sodium-magnesium EDTA in peripheral vascular disease. J Natl Med Assoc 1990;82:173-7.

8. Guldager B, Jelnes R, Jorgensen SJ, et al. EDTA treatment of intermittent claudication—a double-blind, placebo-controlled study. J Intern Med 1992;231:261-7.

9. Van Rij AM, Solomon C, Packer SGK, Hopkins WG. Chelation therapy for intermittent claudication. A double-blind, randomized, controlled trial. Circulation 1994;90:1194-9.

10. Zheng P. Traditional Chinese medicine anesthesia in severe thromboangiitis obliterans. Report of 30 cases. Chin Med J (Engl) 1988;101(3):221-4.

11. Yang BH, Zhang SG. Study of thromboangiitis obliterans treated with “vascular no. 3” using Doppler ultrasound. Chung Hsi I Chieh Ho Tsa Chih 1989;9:596-8, 581 [in Chinese].

12. Szuba A, Cooke JP. Thromboangiitis obliterans. An update on Buerger's disease. West J Med 1998;168:255-60 [review].

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The information presented by TraceGains is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires December 2025.