When plaque, made up of cholesterol and other substances, builds up in the arteries that carry blood to your head, limbs and organs, it is called peripheral arterial disease, or PAD. PAD most commonly effects blood flow to the legs, where it causes pain and numbness. If you have PAD, certain vitamins, minerals and herbs may be helpful to you, However, you should consult with your health-care practitioner before taking any new supplement.
Calcium, Magnesium and D-3
According to Phyllis Balch in her book "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," a supplement that contains a combination of calcium, magnesium and vitamin D-3 can help to maintain proper muscular tone in the blood vessels, whilst also boosting your immune system. Taking these three nutrients together is recommended because they work synergistically and they are more easily absorbed in the body when taken together. For therapeutic purposes, Balch recommends taking a supplement that contains 1,500 mg of calcium, 750 mg of magnesium and 400 mg of vitamin D-3 daily before bed.
Vitamin A
Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant, and antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals in the body. This is important because David Rowland says in his book "The Nutritional Bypass," that free radicals can attack the arteries and vitamin A can protect the arteries from free radical induced damage. Balch recommends taking 25,000 IU of vitamin A daily and says to choose a supplement that is derived from either fish oil or from a combination of fish oil and beta carotene.
Selenium and Vitamin E
Selenium and vitamin E are two additional powerful antioxidants that can protect the arteries from free radical induced damage and normalize blood pressure. Rowland says that they also keep the blood thin and encourage increased blood flow; promote healing of the damaged arterial tissue; and dissolve blood clots and prevent their formation. Similar to calcium, magnesium and D-3, taking vitamin E and selenium together enhance the efficacy of both. Rowland recommends taking a supplement that provides 600 IU of vitamin E in the form of d-alpha-tocopherol, and 200 to 300 mcg of selenium daily.
Ginkgo
Ginkgo biloba is an herb that has been used in Asia for medicinal purposes, for centuries. Balch says that it is called "nature's circulation wonder" because it can improve circulation, and increase oxygen and blood flow in the arms, legs, brain and heart. There are many different strengths and varieties of ginkgo, and you should take it as directed on the bottle.
Green and Black Tea
Finally, drinking black tea and consuming green tea as either a beverage or a supplement may also be beneficial. Green tea has been found to lower cholesterol and fatty lipid levels, and may thereby reduce the build-up of fatty deposits of arterial plaque in the arteries. Balch says that black tea has been found to reduce the likelihood for fat in the blood to be deposited in the arteries, and recommends drinking one to four cups a day.
References
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch; 2003
- "The Nutritional Bypass"; David Rowland, PhD; 2006
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