Raynauds Disease

In a double-blind trial, supplementation with 12 large capsules of fish oil per day (providing 4 grams of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] per day) for 6 or 12 weeks reduced the severity of blood-vessel spasm in 5 of 11 people with Raynaud’s phenomenon.¹ Fish oil was effective in people with primary Raynaud’s disease, but not in those whose symptoms were secondary to another disorder.

Fatty acids in evening primrose oil (EPO) inhibit the formation of biochemical messengers (prostaglandins) that promote blood vessel constriction. A double-blind trial of 21 people with Raynaud’s disease found that, compared with placebo, supplementation with EPO reduced the number and severity of attacks despite the fact that blood flow did not appear to increase.⁵ Researchers have used 3,000–6,000 mg of EPO per day.

Ginkgo biloba has been reported to improve the circulation in small blood vessels.⁶ For that reason, some doctors recommend ginkgo for people with Raynaud’s disease. One preliminary trial found that 160 mg of standardized ginkgo extract per day reduced pain in people with Raynaud’s disease.⁷ Larger clinical trials are needed to confirm ginkgo’s effectiveness for this condition. Ginkgo is often used as a standardized extract (containing 24% ginkgo flavone glycosides and 6% terpene lactones). Doctors who recommend use of ginkgo often suggest that people take 120–160 mg per day.

In one study, 12 people with Raynaud’s disease were given L-carnitine (1 gram three times a day) for 20 days.⁸ After receiving L-carnitine, these people showed less blood-vessel spasm in their fingers in response to cold exposure.

Abnormalities of magnesium metabolism have been reported in people with Raynaud’s disease.⁹ Symptoms similar to those seen with Raynaud’s disease occur in people with magnesium deficiency,¹⁰ probably because a deficiency of this mineral results in spasm of blood vessels.¹¹ Some doctors recommend that people with Raynaud’s disease supplement with 200–600 mg of magnesium per day, although no clinical trials support this treatment.