Claudication, also known as intermittent claudication, is experienced as cramping pain in your legs during exercise, but it can also occur in your arms and, in advanced cases, when you are at rest. The pain is caused by lack of blood to your muscles. The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews says vitamin E has been suggested as a way to improve blood flow and ease claudication. Consult your doctor before taking vitamin E for claudication.
Claudication and Artery Disease
Claudication is usually a symptom of peripheral artery disease, according to MayoClinic.com, which occurs when your arteries are damaged due to factors such as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerotic plaques cause arterial walls to harden and narrow, preventing adequate blood flow from reaching your muscles. The lack of adequate blood supply causes the pain associated with claudication.
Vitamin E
Fat-soluble vitamin E is found in a wide range of foods, such as vegetable oil, nuts, green vegetables and fortified foods. It is an antioxidant, meaning it neutralizes unstable molecules called free radicals that can cause cell damage. Vitamin E also helps bolster your immune system's ability to ward off pathogens. The ability of vitamin E to dilate blood vessels and prevent blood clots is especially relevant to those with claudication.
Research
A study published in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews in 2009 presented an overview of research conducted to investigate whether vitamin E is effective as a treatment for claudication. The review focused on five controlled research studies that compared vitamin E with a placebo in patients suffering from intermittent claudication. Positive effects were found in all five studies, with no serious adverse effects.
Considerations
Although these studies present positive results from the use of vitamin E in patients with claudication, more research is needed to conclusively support vitamin E as a treatment for this condition. If you have claudication, consult your doctor. There are risks associated with the consumption of high dosages of supplemental vitamin E, including drug interactions that can increase your risk of bleeding if you are taking anticoagulant drugs. Antioxidant supplements can also interfere with the effectiveness of chemotherapy or radiation treatments, as well as the protective effects of cholesterol-lowering medications.
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