Raynaud's disease, also known as Raynaud's phenomenon, causes blood vessels in the fingers and toes to narrow, leaving skin pale or patchy and often numb. Cold temperatures and stress can trigger attacks of Raynaud's symptoms. People who experience Raynaud's symptoms on their own have primary Raynaud's, while those who experience these symptoms as a result of other conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, lupus or scleroderma, have secondary Raynaud's. Fish oil supplements may help relieve symptoms in people with primary Raynaud's.
Fish Oil Supplements
Omega-3 fatty acids contained in fish oil can help relieve ischemia, or reduced blood flow to a particular part of the body due to narrowed blood vessels. A study conducted by faculty of the Division of Rheumatology at Albany Medical College found that daily fish oil supplementation improved tolerance to cold temperatures and delayed or relieved Raynaud's symptoms in individuals with primary Raynaud's. Fish oil did not provide the same benefits for people with secondary Raynaud's.
Dose
Patients in the Albany Medical College study took 12 fish-oil capsules per day, with a total of 3.96 g of eicosapentaenoic acid, or EPA, and 2.64 g of docosahexaenoic acid, or DHA. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends taking a 1,500 mg dose of dish oil two to three times per day to relieve symptoms of primary Raynaud's. Fish oil supplements may increase your risk of bleeding. Consult your doctor before you begin taking fish oil if you already take other blood-thinning medications.
Other Supplements and Medications
Several other dietary supplements and medications can help relieve Raynaud's symptoms. Evening primrose oil contains a different type of fatty acid than fish oil that can prevent the body from producing blood vessel narrowing chemicals. Primrose oil may not be not safe for people with history of seizures, however, and, like fish oil, it may increase your risk of bleeding. Vitamin B-3, or niacin, may reduce the frequency of Raynaud's attacks. High amounts of this supplement may be dangerous, so consult your doctor to determine an appropriate dose. Magnesium supplements can help dilate blood vessels and prevent Raynaud's attacks. Common drugs prescribed to treat Raynaud's include calcium-channel blockers, alpha blockers and vasodilators.
Considerations
Certain medications can worsen symptoms of Raynauds, including birth control pills, beta-blockers used to treat high blood pressure and over-the-counter cold and flu drugs that contain pseudoephedrine. Smoking cigarettes can constrict blood vessels and lower skin temperature, leading to Raynaud's attacks. Drinking caffeine can also cause narrowed blood vessels and worsened Raynaud's symptoms.
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