Raynaud’s Disease
Raynaud’s disease is caused by constriction and spasms of small arteries in the extremities after exposure to cold. In the person with Raynaud’s disease, the hands (and sometimes the toes, cheeks, nose, and ears) turn white or bluish and become painful. Its cause is unknown. A condition called Raynaud’s phenomenon causes similar symptoms, but it is the result of connective tissue disease or exposure to certain chemicals. The same natural remedies are used for both disorders.
Lifestyle changes that may be helpful:
Dressing warmly and wearing gloves or mittens are important for preventing attacks of Raynaud’s disease. Individuals with Raynaud’s disease should not smoke, because nicotine decreases blood flow to the extremities. Women with Raynaud’s disease should not use birth control pills, as this method of contraception affects circulation.Nutritional supplements that may be helpful:
Inositol hexaniacinate—a variation on the B vitamin niacin—has been used with some success for relieving symptoms of Raynaud’s disease.1 In one study, 30 individuals with Raynaud’s disease taking 4 grams of inositol hexaniacinate each day for three months showed less spasm of their arteries.2 Another study, involving six individuals taking 3 grams per day of inositol hexaniacinate, showed that this supplement improved peripheral circulation.3Evening primrose oil inhibits the prostaglandins that may otherwise promote blood vessel constriction. A double-blind study of 21 individuals with Raynaud’s disease found that, compared with placebo, evening primrose oil reduced the number and severity of attacks despite the fact that blood flow did not appear to increase.4 Researchers often use 3,000–6,000 mg of evening primrose oil per day.
Abnormalities of magnesium metabolism have been found in individuals with Raynaud’s disease.5 Symptoms similar to those seen with Raynaud’s disease occur in individuals with magnesium deficiency,6 probably because a deficiency of this mineral results in spasm of blood vessels.7 Some doctors recommend that individuals with Raynaud’s disease supplement with 200–600 mg of magnesium per day; however, no clinical studies support this treatment.
In 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 individuals showed less blood-vessel spasm in their fingers in response to cold exposure. This study suggests that supplementing with L-carnitine may be useful for people with Raynaud’s disease.
In a double-blind study, supplementation with 12 large capsules of
Fish oil per day (providing 3.96 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] per day) for 6 or 12 weeks reduced the severity of blood-vessel spasm in 5 of 11 individuals with Raynaud’s phenomenon.9 Fish oil was effective in people with primary Raynaud’s disease, but not in those whose symptoms were secondary to another disorder.Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects or interactions.Herbs that may be helpful:
Ginkgo biloba appears to improve the circulation in small blood vessels.10 For that reason, some doctors recommend ginkgo for individuals with Raynaud’s disease. However, no studies have been published on the use of ginkgo for this purpose. Ginkgo is often used as a standard extract (containing 24% ginkgo heterosides) in the amount of 40 mg three times per day.Garlic, which is known to improve circulation, is also recommended by some doctors as a supportive nutrient for people with Raynaud’s disease. For those who do not mind the taste, one whole clove of raw garlic can be chewed per day. Otherwise, odor-controlled, enteric-coated tablets or capsules with standardized allicin potential can be taken in amounts of 400–500 mg once or twice per day (providing up to 5,000 mcg of allicin). As an alternative, 2–4 ml of a tincture can be taken three times daily.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual herb for information about any side effects or interactions.Checklist for Raynaud’s disease
|
Ranking |
Nutritional Supplements |
Herbs |
|
Secondary |
Fish oil Inositol hexaniacinate (vitamin B3) |
|
|
Other |
Evening primrose oil L-carnitine Magnesium |
Garlic Ginkgo biloba |
Information about the effects of a particular supplement or herb on a particular condition has been qualified in terms of the methodology or source of supporting data (for example: clinical, double blind, meta-analysis, or traditional use). For the convenience of the reader, the information in the table listing the supplements for particular conditions is also categorized. The criteria for the categorizations are: "Primary" indicates there are reliable and relatively consistent scientific data showing a health benefit. "Secondary" indicates there are conflicting, insufficient, or only preliminary studies suggesting a health benefit or that the health benefit is minimal. "Other" indicates that an herb is primarily supported by traditional use or that the herb or supplement has little scientific support and/or minimal proven health benefit.
References: 1. Aylward M. Hexopal in Raynaud’s disease. J Int Med Res 1979;7:484–91. 2. Holti G. An experimentally controlled evaluation of the effect of inositol nicotinate upon the digital blood flow in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon. J Int Med Res 1979;7:473–83. 3. Ring EF, Bacon PA. Quantitative thermographic assessment of inositol nicotinate therapy in Raynaud’s phenomenon. J Int Med Res 1977;5:217–22. 4. Belch JJF, Shaw B, O’Dowd A, et al. Evening primrose oil (Efamol) in the treatment of Raynaud’s phenomenon: A double-blind study. Throm Haemost 1985;54(2):490–4. 5. Leppert J, Aberg H, Levin K, et al. The concentration of magnesium in erythrocytes in female patients with primary Raynaud’s phenomenon; fluctuation with the time of year. Angiology 1994;45:283–8. 6. Smith WO, Hammarsten JF, Eliel LP. The clinical expression of magnesium deficiency. JAMA 1960;174:77–8. 7. Turlapaty P, Altura BM. Magnesium deficiency produces spasms of coronary arteries; relationship to etiology of sudden death ischemic heart disease. Science 1980;208:198–200. 8. Gasser P, Martina B, Dubler B. Reaction of capillary blood cell velocity in nailfold capillaries to L-carnitine in patients with vasospastic disease. Drugs Exptl Clin Res 1997;23:39–43. 9. Digiacomo RA, Kremer JM, Shah DM. Fish-oil dietary supplementation in patients with Raynaud’s phenomenon: a double-blind, controlled, prospective study. Am J Med 1989;86:158–64. 10. Kleijnen J, Knipschild P. Ginkgo biloba. Lancet 1992;340:1136–9 [review].