Arginine
Arginine is a
pre-cursor to nitric oxide. Nitric
oxide is a well-known vasodilator. A disruption in the synthesis and
metabolism of nitric oxide is
thought to play a role in the
pathogenesis of Raynaud's disease. Arginine supplementation produces vasodilation via the nitric oxide
pathway. Several case reports
using arginine show promising
results for the treatment of Raynaud's. Arginine was reported to reverse
digital necrosis and improve
symptoms in Raynaud's sufferers. [4]
Inositol
hexanicotinate (Vitamin B3)
Inositol
hexanicotinate has vasodilatory
properties. It has been studied as
a treatment for Raynaud's disease. In one study,
B3 supplementation
resulted in a decrease in the
occurrence of attacks, as well as
shorter duration of attacks. It
also relieved symptoms significantly
better than placebo. [5]
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is a
potent anti-oxidant. It is an
effective treatment option for
individuals with Raynaud's disease
because of the proposed role of
free radicals.
In one study of
patients with Raynaud's disease, Vitamin C was found to be
deficient in a majority of
individuals. This critical deficiency is
thought to contribute to the
severity of the disease. [6]
Fish oils
Fish oil is rich in
essential fatty acids. These
fatty acids are anti-inflammatory
because they divert the
prostaglandin synthesis away from
pro-inflammatory molecules.
Pro-inflammatory prostaglandins
are thought to play a direct role in the
pathogenesis of Raynaud's disease. In one
particular study, patients were given
fish oil for 12 weeks. The supplementation
group improved their cold
tolerance and delayed onset of
vasospasm, significantly over
those receiving placebo. [7] These results were observed in
individuals with Raynaud's disease
and not Raynaud's phenomenon.
Evening Primrose
oil
Evening primrose
oil is also anti-inflammatory in
nature. It
effects are achieved in the same
manner as fish oil, though the
main essential fatty acid is DGLA.
Numerous studies have been
performed examining the efficacy
of evening primrose oil in the
treatment of Raynaud's. In one
study, its supplementation resulted in
fewer attacks than placebo. These
attacks were also rated as less
severe, and there was an increase
in cold tolerance. Most of the
benefits were symptomatic; there
was no observed measurable effect
on blood flow. [8]
Vitamin B12,
Vitamin B6, and Folic acid
Increased
homocysteine is thought to play a
role in the development of
Raynaud's disease. Homocysteine is
a metabolite that can build up in the
blood if Vitamin B12, B6, or folic
acid is deficient. Homocysteine
was measured in patients with
Raynaud's disease and was found to
be elevated in both the primary and
secondary classes of the disease. [9]
Another study measured both homocysteine and folic acid levels
in the blood of individuals with
Raynaud's and compared it to
healthy controls. Homocysteine was
elevated compared to controls and
folic acid was decreased compared
to controls. [10]
Ginkgo Biloba
Ginkgo biloba is a
well-known botanical medicine. It
is effective at increasing
circulation and is an
powerful anti-oxidant. In one study,
ginkgo supplementation for 10 weeks
reduced the number of attacks in
patients with primary Raynaud's
disease. [11]
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