Vitamins for Raynaud’s Disease. Vitamins for Raynaud’s Disease. Vitamins for Raynaud’s Syndrome. Give your body the vitamins it needs to avoid the symptoms of Raynaud’s.
Raynaud’s disease is an uncommon condition characterized by episodes of vasospasm in the skin and mucous membranes. Raynaud’s phenomenon refers to the predictable and recurrent response of blood vessels in the extremities to cold temperature environments. Raynaud’s syndrome describes several other symptoms, including urticaria, arthralgia or arthritis, and gastrointestinal disorders.
vitamins for raynaud’s
Raynaud’s disease is a group of conditions that affects blood flow in the fingers and toes. Symptoms include cold hands and feet, pain and tingling, especially in painful areas of the body such as the fingers, toes, palms and knees
vitamins for raynaud’s syndrome
What is Raynaud’s phenomenon?
Raynaud’s phenomenon is classified as either primary, known as Raynaud’s disease, or secondary, known as Raynaud’s syndrome. In either case, it is a disorder that affects small arteries (called arterioles) in the fingers and (sometimes) the toes, causing them to narrow briefly, reducing blood flow. Less often, the nose, ears, lips and even nipples are affected. While the condition can be severe, most cases are not difficult to control.
What are some Raynaud’s symptoms?
With Raynaud’s phenomenon, the fingers (or toes) turn white, then blue upon exposure to cold or in response to emotional stress. The affected fingers feel cold and numb. As blood flow returns to normal, the fingers turn red and throb, tingle, swell or feel numb or painful.
In some cases, even brief or mild changes in temperature can cause an attack, which can last for less than a minute or up to several hours. The frequency of Raynaud’s disease attacks can range from daily to weekly. Sometimes only one or two fingers or toes are affected. Attacks can begin in a single finger or toe and then spread to other digits. In severe cases of secondary Raynaud’s (see below), skin sores or gangrene (tissue death) can occur, but these severe cases are quite rare.
What are the causes?
The cause of primary Raynaud’s, known as Raynaud’s disease, is unknown. Secondary Raynaud’s, known as Raynaud’s syndrome, is associated with another physical condition such as a disease or injury. It tends to be more severe than primary cases and can accompany or precede autoimmune phenomena such as lupus, scleroderma and rheumatoid arthritis.
According to the National Institutes of Health, nine out of 10 people who have scleroderma also develop Raynaud’s syndrome, as do one out of three people who have lupus. Raynaud’s syndrome is weakly associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and sometimes can be triggered by medications, including beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure, drugs for the treatment of migraines that contain ergotamine, certain chemotherapy agents, and some over-the-counter cold remedies containing compounds that cause blood vessels to constrict. Other phenomena that can lead to Raynaud’s syndrome include atherosclerosis, certain blood disorders, and specific thyroid conditions.
Still more possible causes of Raynaud’s syndrome are repetitive motions (such as typing or playing the piano) that damage the nerves that control blood vessels in the hands, injuries to the hands and feet (from frostbite, surgery or accidents) and exposure to chemicals such as vinyl chloride.
Raynaud’s phenomenon is most common among women, between the ages of 15 and 40. Additional risk factors include a family history of primary Raynaud’s and living in a cold climate.
The root problem is abnormal neurovascular reactivity – that is, the nerves controlling blood flow through the arterioles become oversensitive, constricting vessels in peripheral areas of the body (fingers, toes, nose and earlobes) in temperatures that should not trigger this response. Constriction of peripheral blood vessels is a normal, protective response to conserve body heat in cold environments, but should occur within definite limits to preserve sufficient blood flow to the extremities.
How is Raynaud’s diagnosed?
If you have symptoms that are compatible with Raynaud’s disease, physical exam and medical history may help your doctor make a diagnosis. Or, if you have one of the conditions that is associated with secondary Raynaud’s, diagnosis can be made on the basis of symptoms and the overall clinical picture. No blood test can diagnose Raynaud’s disease, but two other tests may be recommended to narrow the possibilities:
Cold stimulation test: A device that measures temperature is attached to your fingers and then your hands are dipped briefly in cold water. The device shows how quickly your fingers return to normal temperature. With Raynaud’s, this can take more than 20 minutes.
Nailfold capillaroscopy: The doctor puts a drop of oil at the base of one of your fingernails and then looks at the nail under a microscope. If abnormal arteries can be seen, it may indicate scleroderma or another phenomenon associated with Raynaud’s.
In addition, you may be tested for autoimmune diseases that can underlie Raynaud’s.
What is the conventional Raynaud’s syndrome treatment?
There is no cure for either primary or secondary Raynaud’s. Raynaud’s syndrome treatment often depends on making lifestyle changes for protection against cold temperatures. In addition to wearing warm clothes, a physician may suggest putting battery operated heat packs inside mittens, boots, socks or pockets. Those who are severely affected by cold temperatures may be instructed to wear gloves or mittens when taking food out of the refrigerator or freezer.
In addition, you may be advised to avoid or stop taking certain drugs that can worsen Raynaud’s. These include over-the-counter cold medications that contain pseudoephedrine, beta blockers used to treat high blood pressure and heart disorders , and birth control pills.
Prescription medications that dilate blood vessels may be prescribed for Raynaud’s phenomenon if lifestyle measures don’t work well enough. These include calcium-channel blockers usually given to treat high blood pressure. Other options are alpha blockers, drugs that counteract norepinephrine (a hormone that constricts blood vessels), and vasodilators that relax blood vessels. No drug works reliably for all patients, so a small series of therapeutic interventions may be involved to find the right one. While these medications can decrease the frequency and severity of attacks, they also have significant side effects. What’s more, even a drug that appears to work well may stop helping after a while.
If skin sores or gangrene develop as a result of Raynaud’s, antibiotics may be prescribed and sometimes surgery is necessary to remove tissues damaged by gangrene. In severe cases, nerve blocks may be recommended to control the arteries in the hands and feet. This latter treatment typically involves injections.
What therapies does Dr. Weil recommend for Raynaud’s phenomenon?
To prevent the symptoms of Raynaud’s, Dr. Weil recommends dressing warmly during cold weather: Wear thick socks, heavy gloves or mittens, a hat and scarf. If you smoke, stop – along with all the other health hazards smoking presents, nicotine constricts the small arteries (arterioles) in the hands and feet and can worsen Raynaud’s symptoms. Other stimulants including caffeine can also aggravate Raynaud’s.
Dr. Weil also recommends trying mind/body approaches. His colleague, hypnotherapist Steve Gurgevich, Ph.D., notes that Raynaud’s phenomenon is quite responsive to self-hypnosis and biofeedback training in which the subject is told to “warm” the hands. Using these methods, you can quiet the reactivity of nerves and blood vessels in your hands and feet and allow more blood to flow in them.
Dr. Weil’s other recommendations for treating Raynaud’s phenomenon include:
Running warm (not hot) water over your hands and feet during attacks. This may shorten the episode or reduce the severity.
Trying his relaxing breath to help relax the entire autonomic nervous system, including the nerves that control the size of the small blood vessels in the hands.
Because stress can bring on attacks, relaxation training may help you avoid episodes.
Try acupuncture which may decrease the frequency of attacks.
Take 100 mg of niacin (vitamin B3) twice a day. This helps dilate blood vessels. Be aware, however, that his can cause sometimes painful flushing of blood to the face.
Take ginkgo biloba to help increase circulation in the fingertips. The dosage is 120 to 240 mg per day.
Raynaud’s phenomenon, also called Raynaud’s syndrome or disease, is a condition where blood vessels in the fingers and toes — and sometimes in the earlobes, nose, and lips — narrow and cause the skin to turn pale or patchy red to blue. The affected body part may feel numb and cold. It is usually triggered by cold or stress.
Episodes come and go and may last minutes or hours. Women are 5 times more likely to have Raynaud’s than men. It usually happens between the ages of 20 to 40 in women and later in life in men. When it happens by itself, it’s called primary Raynaud’s. It can also happen along with other conditions, such as scleroderma, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis. In those cases, it’s called secondary Raynaud’s.
Although some cases may be severe, Raynaud’s usually does not cause permanent damage.
Signs and Symptoms
Changes in skin color in the fingers or toes and sometimes in the nose, legs, or earlobes. Skin may turn white, blue, then red.
Throbbing, tingling, numbness, and pain.
Rarely, deterioration of the pads on fingertips or toes.
Rarely, gangrenous ulcers near fingertips.
What Causes It?
No one knows what causes primary Raynaud’s. Researchers think that when people with Raynaud’s get cold or feel stress — which causes blood vessels to narrow — their blood vessels overreact and constrict more than they do in people without Raynaud’s.
Primary Raynaud’s is more common in people who live in cold climates and those who have a family history of Raynaud’s.
Risk factors for secondary Raynaud’s include:
Cigarette smoking.
Age in women. Raynaud’s tends to occur between the ages of 20 to 40, although secondary Raynaud’s tends to happen later.
Using vibrating tools such as chain saws and jackhammers.
Taking some medications, including some cancer drugs, narcotics, and over-the-counter cold medications.
Having had frostbite.
Repetitive motion — for example, typing or playing the piano.
Carpal tunnel syndrome.
Other medical conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), and carpal tunnel syndrome. If you have Raynaud’s because of these conditions, it is called secondary Raynaud’s and is often more severe.
What to Expect at Your Doctor’s Office
Your doctor may do a test where you are exposed to cold air or water to see if it brings on symptoms of Raynaud’s. Your doctor may also look at the base of your fingernail under a microscope to see if there is an underlying condition.
If your doctor suspects there may be an underlying condition, he may do several blood tests, such as the antinuclear antibody test and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), to look for connective tissue disease or other autoimmune disorders. If you have primary Raynaud’s phenomenon, your doctor may suggest trying to manage it with self-care strategies — for example, dressing warmly, avoiding the cold, controlling stress.
Treatment Options
Many times you can help prevent symptoms of Raynaud’s. One of the most important things you can do is to stop smoking. Nicotine shrinks arteries and decreases blood flow. Other ways you can help prevent symptoms include:
Protecting yourself from cold, especially outdoors in the winter
Guarding against cuts and other injuries to affected areas
Avoiding caffeine
Avoiding stress
Exercising to increase circulation
Often, this may be enough to manage Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Drug Therapies
Several types of drugs are used to treat Raynaud’s phenomenon.
Calcium-channel blockers. May reduce the frequency and severity of attacks. These drugs include:
Nifedipine (Procardia)
Amlodipine (Norvasc)
Verapamil (Calan, Isoptin)
Diltiazem (Cardizem)
Felodipine (Plendil)
Nisoldipine (Sular)
Bepridil (Vascor)
Alpha blockers. Help keep blood vessels from narrowing. Alpha blockers include:
Prazosin (Minipress)
Doxazosin (Cardura)
Vasodilators. Open up blood vessels.
Surgical Procedures
In severe cases, patients may require surgery to cut the nerves that open and close blood vessels.
Complementary and Alternative Therapies
Be sure to tell your doctors about any herbs, supplements, or alternative therapies you are using. Some complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies can interfere with conventional medical therapies. Work with a doctor who is experienced in CAM therapies to find the combination of treatments that is right for you.
Nutrition
Avoid caffeine and alcohol, and get regular exercise. These supplements may help:
Omega-3 fatty acids , found in fish oil, may reduce symptoms in people with primary Raynaud’s, according to one study. Fish oil did not reduce symptoms in people who had secondary Raynaud’s. High doses of fish oil can increase your risk of bleeding. So ask your doctor before taking it, especially if you already take blood thinners, such as warfarin (Coumadin), clopidogrel (Plavix), or aspirin.
Evening primrose oil (EPO) . EPO contains a different type of fatty acid that stops the body from making chemicals that narrow blood vessels. In one study, people with Raynaud’s who took EPO had fewer and less severe attacks compared to those who took placebo. More research is needed, however. People who have a history of seizures should not take EPO. EPO can increase your risk of bleeding. So ask your doctor before taking it, especially if you already take blood thinners.
Inositol hexaniacinate , a form of vitamin B3 or niacin, may reduce frequency of Raynaud’s attacks. In studies, people took high doses of inositol hexaniacinate, which can be dangerous if not monitored by a doctor. If you want to try inositol hexaniacinate, ask your doctor to determine the right dose for you.
Magnesium opens up blood vessels. Some doctors suggest taking a magnesium supplement, although there are no scientific studies to show it works. Take with meals and reduce dose if diarrhea occurs. Magnesium can interact with a number of medications, including antibiotics, drugs used to treat high blood pressure, and drugs used to treat osteoporosis. Ask your doctor before taking a magnesium supplement.
Herbs
Herbs are a way to strengthen and tone the body’s systems. As with any therapy, you should work with your doctor to diagnose your problem before starting treatment. You may use herbs as dried extracts (capsules, powders, or teas), glycerites (glycerine extracts), or tinctures (alcohol extracts). Unless otherwise indicated, make teas with 1 tsp (5 g) herb per cup of hot water. Steep covered 5 to 10 minutes for leaf or flowers, and 10 to 20 minutes for roots. Drink 2 to 4 cups per day. You may use tinctures alone or in combination as noted.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or nursing before taking any herbs.
Ginkgo ( Ginkgo biloba ). Can open up blood vessels and increase circulation in the fingers. One preliminary study found that people with Raynaud’s who took 160 mg of ginkgo per day had less pain. Talk to your doctor before taking ginkgo. DO NOT take ginkgo if you have a history of seizures. Ginkgo can interact with several herbs and medications, and can increase your risk of bleeding, especially if you take blood thinners. There’s some concern that Ginkgo can negatively impact fertility. In extremely high doses, Ginkgo has also been linked to cancers in animals. Speak to your doctor.
Homeopathy
Homeopathy may be useful as a supportive therapy.
Acupuncture
Although no major studies have looked at acupuncture to treat Raynaud’s syndrome, some people may find that acupuncture increases blood flow and decreases pain.
Mind-Body Medicine
Although there have not yet been any clinical trials, some people with Raynaud’s say they have used guided imagery to reduce symptoms. More research is needed.
Following Up
Most cases of Raynaud’s are not severe. Avoiding cold and stress, and not smoking, can help manage symptoms.
Special Considerations
Many drugs used to treat Raynaud’s phenomenon may cause birth defects. So pregnant women should not use them. Some people with Raynaud’s also have depression. So talk to your doctor if you feel sad or have other symptoms of depression. Some people with Raynaud’s also have migraines.
Avoid the following medications if you have Raynaud’s because they can make symptoms worse. Ask your doctor about the safest way to stop taking these medications or what substitutes might work better for you. DO NOT stop taking prescription medications without talking to your doctor first:
Some over-the-counter cold and flu drugs. Avoid drugs that contain pseudoephedrine, such as Actifed, Chlor-Trimeton, and Sudafed.
Beta-blockers. Used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease. These include:
Acebutolol (Sectral)
Atenolol (Tenormin)
Bisoprolol (Zebeta)
Carteolol (Cartrol)
Metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL)
Nadolol (Corgard)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Birth control pills.
Also known as Raynaud’s phenomenon, Raynaud’s syndrome and Raynaud’s disease, Raynaud’s is much more than simply having sluggish circulation. Raynaud’s blocks the blood supply to extreme parts of your body (usually your fingers and toes but sometimes your earlobes, lips, nose, tongue or nipples) by constricting the small blood vessels, causing them to turn white. As the tissues in your fingers or toes quickly use up the oxygen in the narrowed blood vessels it can turn them blue or purple, sometimes even black.
Then as the blood vessels relax and open up again, fresh blood flows through, turning your fingers or toes bright red. At the same time, you may experience pain, tingling, throbbing or numbness, and the symptoms can last from minutes to several hours. Eventually, your skin returns to its normal colour.
In most cases, only the fingers are affected, with some people also experiencing symptoms in their toes. The classic colour changes also don’t apply to everyone some may only develop pale, cold extremities while others may find their fingers or toes start by going blue, then red.
Primary and secondary
There are two types of Raynaud’s: primary and secondary. Primary ¬¬– where the condition develops on its own (that is, there is no explanation for it) – is the most common type (more than nine in 10 cases are primary Raynaud’s (i) ). Secondary Raynaud’s is when the condition is caused by another health problem, usually an autoimmune condition (these are conditions where the immune system attacks healthy tissue in the body).
Raynaud’s is a fairly common condition in the UK, with up to 10 million thought to be affected – which is around one in six people (20 per cent of the world’s population are also thought to have Raynaud’s) (ii) . It’s thought to affect slightly more women than men, and it’s more widespread in countries with colder climates (iii).
Raynaud’s is very common in teenagers, says Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK (iv), though the symptoms seem to improve in many as they get older.
How is it diagnosed?
There’s no specific test to diagnose Raynaud’s, so most cases are confirmed by the symptoms described above. For instance, if you go to your GP, they may place your hands in cold water to see if it triggers your symptoms. If you have suspected secondary Raynaud’s, you may also need blood tests to find out what other health conditions are causing your Raynaud’s symptoms.
What causes Raynaud’s?
Experts don’t really know why some people develop Raynaud’s, but it happens when blood vessels in your extremities become over-sensitive to the cold. Your symptoms can be triggered by even mildly cool weather, or you may find you have an attack after handling cold objects such as food from your fridge or freezer or just by placing your hands or feet in cold water. Experts also claim stress, anxiety and other strong emotions can trigger a Raynaud’s attack.
Primary Raynaud’s is thought to be caused by the way the nervous system controls the blood vessels. Normally, the nerves reduce the blood supply to your blood vessels in your extremities when you’re exposed to very cold temperatures to stop too much heat being lost from your body. But if you have Raynaud’s, it’s thought that your nerves have an exaggerated response to milder cold temperatures, which means the blood flow to your extremities is blocked much faster than in a normal person.
And while it isn’t associated with any other health condition, primary Raynaud’s is also thought to run in families, which means you may have a greater risk of being affected if someone in your family has it (iii).
However, in secondary Raynaud’s, the blood vessels may become over-sensitive as the result of an underlying medical condition, such as one of the following:
Autoimmune conditions
These are health conditions that are the result of the immune system attacking healthy tissues in the body, such as rheumatoid arthritis and scleroderma.
Cancer
The types of cancers associated with secondary Raynaud’s include those that affect the blood, bone marrow or immune system. These include cancer of the white blood cells called acute lymphoblasic leukaemia (this mostly affects children), multiple myeloma and lymphoma.
Hepatitis
The viral infections hepatitis B and hepatitis C may sometimes cause Raynaud’s in some people.
Other things that may trigger secondary Raynaud’s include taking certain medicines, including decongestants, the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), some times of migraine remedies, and medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease called beta blockers. Taking illegal recreational drugs such as amphetamines and cocaine can also cause secondary Raynaud’s.
If you’ve had frostbite that has damaged your skin, or if you use your fingers and hands a lot if you’re a musician, for example, or you do a lot of typing it can cause Raynaud’s. Smoking also increases your risk of developing it.
Raynaud’s complications
If you have secondary Raynaud’s, you may also have other conditions or an increased risk of developing complications (according to the NHS, on in 10 people with primary Raynaud’s also go on to develop a condition associated with secondary Raynaud’s(ii)). These other conditions include the following:
Scleroderma
One in 50 men and one in 16 women who have Raynaud’s – typically those aged between 25 and 55 go on to develop scleroderma (ii) . This condition affects the immune system, blood vessels and connective tissue, and makes the skin on the hands and feet tight, stiff, puffy and shiny, a result of the body producing too much collagen. It can also affect internal organs such as the lungs, bowel, heart and kidneys.
Other symptoms include joint discomfort, swallowing problems, diarrhoea, bloating, constipation and little calcium deposits under the skin, which can cause ulceration of the fingertips. According to the NHS, Raynaud’s is often the first symptom of a type of scleroderma called limited systemic sclerosis (vi).
Rheumatoid arthritis
This autoimmune condition causes inflammation of the joints, casing redness, swelling and pain. According to Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK, it is an autoimmune condition known to be associated with secondary Raynaud’s (vii). Learn more about rheumatoid arthritis treatments in our guide.
Sjogren’s syndrome
This autoimmune condition affects the sweat, saliva and tear glands, making them inflamed. Two of the main symptoms are dry eyes and dry mouth. It mostly affects women aged between 40 and 60 (viii). It’s thought that up to half a million people in the UK are affected (ix), with some also having Raynaud’s.
Vibration white finger
If you use vibrating tools on a regular basis, you may develop this condition. People affected include road diggers, mine workers and shipyard workers. Experts believe the long-term exposure to vibrations may affect the nerves or the small blood vessels in the fingers. VWF is an industrial disease, and if you have it you may be eligible for compensation.
Systemic lupus erythematosis
This is one of two forms of lupus, which is an autoimmune disease. It affects your skin and joints, plus often also your internal organs such as your heart or kidneys (according to Versus Arthritis, one in three people with SLE have significant inflammation of the kidneys (x)). It causes chronic inflammation of the blood vessels and connective tissues of the body, and can cause a rash on your cheeks and bridge of your nose. As well as Raynaud’s symptoms, you may also experience tiredness, joint pain, mouth ulcers and hair loss if you have SLE.
Chilblains
Many people who have Raynaud’s also suffer from chilblains. These cause itchy, red and tender swellings on the skin on your fingers, toes, heels, nose and ears, and usually develop a few hours after you’ve been exposed to the cold. Chilblains usually heal within a few weeks without any medical intervention.
Ulcers, gangrene
People with severe secondary Raynaud’s also have a higher risk of developing ulcers and gangrene in the affected parts of their body. Thankfully, this is fairly rare. Discover more on the signs and symptoms of mouth ulcers in our guide.
Living with Raynaud’s
If you have Raynaud’s, there are several things you can do to reduce the severity of attacks, including the following:
Stay warm
Whenever possible, avoid getting cold or moving quickly between warm and cool temperatures (such as during warm weather when you visit a building with air conditioning). Keep your whole body warm by wearing several layers of clothing during the winter, not forgetting socks, hats and gloves (you may also want to wear socks and gloves in bed at colder times of the year). Think about buying hand warmers to put in your pockets, and if you do get too cold, run warm water over your fingers or toes as soon as possible. Also avoid the rain and the damp stay indoors if you can. And if you’re handling cold or frozen food, put a pair of gloves on beforehand.
Meanwhile there’s no evidence that any specific diet has a protective effect against Raynaud’s attacks, but you could try eating and drinking hot foods and drinks to keep you warm, whatever the time of year.
Give up smoking
According to Scleroderma & Raynaud’s UK, smoking constricts blood vessels and is a potential cause of Raynaud’s (xi). Quitting, on the other hand, will help to improve your circulation and improve your symptoms. That’s because tobacco makes your blood vessels constrict, which reduces the blood flow to your extremities. If you need help with giving up, there are stop smoking aids such as patches, lozenges and gum that could help you stay smoke free.
Get advice on medicines
If you suspect a medicine you’re taking ? whether a prescription medicine or over-the-counter remedy has caused or is aggravating your Raynaud’s, speak to your GP or pharmacist. These medicines include decongestants (also found in cold and flu remedies), the contraceptive pill, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), migraine medicines such as sumatriptan and ergotamine, and beta blockers, medicines used to treat high blood pressure and heart disease.
Keep stress in check
Since stress is associated with Raynaud’s, it’s a good idea to reduce your stress levels whenever possible. Try to learn some relaxation techniques that could help you feel calm, such as meditation, deep breathing or yoga. Learning to recognise and avoid stressful situations may also help to keep your symptoms at bay.
Stay active
Regular exercise is recommended to those with Raynaud’s as it can help to boost your circulation as well as reduce feelings of stress. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week, but speak to your GP before starting a new exercise regime if you’re new to exercise or you haven’t been very active lately.
Natural remedies for Raynaud’s
A medical treatment for Raynaud’s called nifedipine is usually offered to those whose symptoms don’t improve after making lifestyle changes. This is the only medicine licensed in the UK to treat Raynaud’s, and while it isn’t a cure it may relieve the symptoms. There are, however, several common side effects, including headache, palpitations, dizziness and oedema (swelling).
If you like the idea of trying natural supplements, there are several that may help, including the following:
Ginkgo biloba
Thought to be the oldest surviving species of tree, ginkgo is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine and for a range of health problems in the West too. It’s thought to be an important antioxidant for peripheral circulation in helping to relax the small blood vessels. Studies also suggest it may help to reduce the number of attacks in people who have Raynaud’s (xii).
Fish oil
The omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), found in oily fish, are believed to help improve blood flow in the arteries. Indeed, there’s some evidence that taking fish oil supplements may reduce symptoms in those with primary Raynaud’s (xii).
If you’re a vegetarian or vegan you can still benefit from an omega-3 supplement, thanks to the availability of products that contain the natural triglyceride (TG) form of omega-3, which is sourced from plant organisms called microalgae rather than fish oils.
Vitamin E
Like fish oils, vitamin E may help to improve blood flow too. Experts believe it may also reduce symptoms in cases of Raynaud’s that are caused by vibrating machinery (xiv).
Magnesium
This mineral is also thought to help open up tightened blood vessels, which may explain why some nutritional practitioners recommend it to people who have Raynaud’s. Plus there’s evidence that being under a lot of stress could result in lower magnesium levels (xv). A study has also found that levels of magnesium in the blood are lower in women exposed to the cold who have primary Raynaud’s compared with those who do not have the condition (xvi).
Cinnamon
Anecdotal reports suggest this warming spice may help relieve Raynaud’s symptoms, while books on medicinal herbs claim cinnamon may help to stimulate the circulation (xvii).
Raynaud’s syndrome can be difficult to manage on a daily basis, but these simple steps should help to make it a little easier. Want to learn more? You can discover even more helpful articles just like this in our health library.