Health Condition
Raynaud’s Disease
Fish Oil
Supplementing with fish oil may reduce the severity of blood-vessel spasm.Dose:
4 grams of EPA per dayFish OilIn a double-blind trial, supplementation with 12 large capsules of fish oil per day (providing 4 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] per day) for 6 or 12 weeks reduced the severity of blood-vessel spasm in 5 of 11 people with Raynaud’s phenomenon.1 Fish oil was effective in people with primary Raynaud’s disease, but not in those whose symptoms were secondary to another disorder.
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)
A variation on the B vitamin niacin, inositol hexaniacinate has been shown to reduce arterial spasm and improve peripheral circulation.Dose:
3 to 4 grams daily of inositol hexaniacinateVitamin B3 (Niacin)has been used with some success for relieving symptoms of Raynaud’s disease.2 In one study, 30 people with Raynaud’s disease taking 4 grams of inositol hexaniacinate each day for three months showed less spasm of their arteries.3 Another study, involving six people taking 3 grams per day of inositol hexaniacinate, again showed that this supplement improved peripheral circulation.4 People taking this supplement in these amounts should be under the care of a doctor.Evening Primrose Oil
Fatty acids in evening primrose oil (EPO) inhibit the formation of prostaglandins, which promote blood vessel constriction. One study found that supplementing with EPO reduced the number and severity of attacks.Dose:
Refer to label instructionsEvening Primrose OilFatty acids in evening primrose oil (EPO) inhibit the formation of biochemical messengers (prostaglandins) that promote blood vessel constriction. A double-blind trial of 21 people with Raynaud’s disease found that, compared with placebo, supplementation with EPO reduced the number and severity of attacks despite the fact that blood flow did not appear to increase.5 Researchers have used 3,000–6,000 mg of EPO per day.
Ginkgo
The herb Ginkgo has been reported to improve the circulation in small blood vessels and reduce pain in people with Raynaud’s disease.Dose:
Refer to label instructionsGinkgoGinkgo biloba has been reported to improve the circulation in small blood vessels.6 For that reason, some doctors recommend ginkgo for people with Raynaud’s disease. One preliminary trial found that 160 mg of standardized ginkgo extract per day reduced pain in people with Raynaud’s disease.7 Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm ginkgo’s effectiveness for this condition. Ginkgo is often used as a standardized extract (containing 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones). Doctors who recommend use of ginkgo often suggest that people take 120–160 mg per day.
L-Carnitine
In one study, people with Raynaud’s disease who were given L-carnitine showed less blood-vessel spasm in their fingers in response to cold exposure.Dose:
Refer to label instructionsL-CarnitineIn one study, 12 people with Raynaud’s disease were given L-carnitine (1 gram three times a day) for 20 days.8 After receiving L-carnitine, these people showed less blood-vessel spasm in their fingers in response to cold exposure.
Magnesium
Abnormalities of magnesium metabolism have been reported in people with Raynaud’s disease. Magnesium deficiency results in blood-vessel spasm, which may be helped with supplementation.Dose:
Refer to label instructionsMagnesiumAbnormalities of magnesium metabolism have been reported in people with Raynaud’s disease.9 Symptoms similar to those seen with Raynaud’s disease occur in people with magnesium deficiency,10 probably because a deficiency of this mineral results in spasm of blood vessels.11 Some doctors recommend that people with Raynaud’s disease supplement with 200–600 mg of magnesium per day, although no clinical trials support this treatment.