Clogged legs???

Natural Treatments for Peripheral Artery Disease (P.A.D.)

You are walking or climbing up a set of stairs, and suddenly you notice a dull, cramping pain in your leg. Before you write off the pain as simply a sign of overexertion or just a normal part of growing older, consider this: You may have intermittent claudication, the most common symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD).

What is PAD?

PAD, also known as peripheral vascular disease, is a condition in which arteries and veins in your limbs, usually in the legs and feet, are blocked or narrowed by fatty deposits that reduce blood flow.

PAD Symptoms:

Intermittent claudication, leg discomfort (typically in the calf) that occurs during exertion or exercise and is relieved by rest, usually is the first symptom of PAD. But other possible symptoms may include leg sores that won’t heal (chronic venous ulcers)…varicose veins (chronic venous insufficiency)…paleness (pallor) or discoloration (a blue tint) of the legs…or cold legs.

Why is “a little leg trouble” so significant?

If it’s due to PAD, you have got a red flag that other arteries, including those in the heart and brain, may also be blocked. In fact, people with PAD have a two- to sixfold increased risk for heart attack or stroke.

Some 8 to 12 million Americans—including up to one in five people age 60 or older—are believed to have PAD. While many individuals who have PAD experience the symptoms described earlier, some have no symptoms at all.

Those at greatest risk: Anyone who smokes or has elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes is at increased risk for PAD.

What you need to know…

BETTER TREATMENT RESULTS

"I eat plenty of "fast food" but just seem to be getting slower and slower!" - "fast food" IS one of the problems!

The standard treatment for PAD typically includes lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking, getting regular exercise and eating a healthful diet).

Medical treatment may include medication, such as one of the two drugs approved by the FDA for PAD—pentoxifylline (Trental) and cilostazol (Pletal)—and, in severe cases, surgery.

For even better results: Strong scientific evidence now indicates that several natural therapies—used in conjunction with these treatments—may help slow the progression of PAD and improve a variety of symptoms more effectively than standard treatment alone can.



Do not take more than one of the following therapies at the same time—this will increase bleeding risk.

These Natural Therapies Can Boost Your Treatment Results

Among the most effective natural therapies for PAD…

• Grape seed extract. Grapes, including the fruit, leaves and seeds, have been used medicinally since the time of the ancient Greeks. Grape seed extract is rich in oligomeric proanthocyanidins, antioxidants that integrative practitioners in Europe use to treat varicose veins, chronic leg ulcers and other symptoms of PAD. 

Scientific evidence: In several recent studies, grape seed extract was found to reduce the symptoms of poor circulation in leg veins, which can include nighttime cramps, swelling, heaviness, itching, tingling, burning, numbness and nerve pain. 

• Ginkgo biloba. A standardized extract from the leaf of the ginkgo biloba tree, which is commonly taken to improve memory, is one of the top-selling herbs in the US. But the strongest scientific evidence for ginkgo biloba may well be in the treatment of PAD. 

Scientific evidence: Numerous studies currently show that ginkgo biloba extract can decrease leg pain that occurs with exercise or at rest. The daily doses used in the studies ranged from 80 mg to 320 mg.

• Hesperidin. This flavonoid is found in unripe citrus fruits, such as oranges, grapefruits, lemons and tangerines. 

Scientific evidence: Research now shows that hesperidin may strengthen veins and tiny blood vessels called capillaries, easing the symptoms of venous insufficiency. Hesperidin also has been shown to reduce leg symptoms such as pain, cramps, heaviness and neuropathy (burning, tingling and numbness). Some hesperidin products also contain diosmin (Daflon), a prescription medication that is used to treat venous disease...vitamin C...or the herb butcher’s broom—all of which strengthen the effects of hesperidin. 

• Horse chestnut seed extract. The seeds, leaves, bark and flowers of this tree, which is native to Europe, have been used for centuries in herbal medicine. 

Scientific evidence: Several studies now indicate that horse chestnut seed extract may be helpful for venous insufficiency, decreasing leg pain, fatigue, itchiness and swelling. 

• L-carnitine. Also known as acetyl-L-carnitine, this amino acid may improve circulation and help with PAD symptoms. 

New finding: Taking L-carnitine in addition to the PAD medication cilostazol increased walking distance in people with intermittent claudication up to 46% more than taking cilostazol alone, reported researchers from the University of Colorado School of Medicine in a recent issue of Vascular Medicine.

• Inositol nicotinate. This is a form of niacin (vitamin B-3) that is less likely to create the typical “flushing” (redness and heat) that is produced by high doses of niacin. 

Several studies show that it is helpful in treating PAD. It is commonly used in the UK to treat intermittent claudication.
Policosanol. This is a natural cholesterol-lowering compound made primarily from the wax of cane sugar. Comparative studies show that policosanol treats intermittent claudication as effectively as the prescription blood thinner ticlopidine (Ticlid) and more effectively than the cholesterol-lowering statin lovastatin (Mevacor).

• OPC's - A family of bioflavonoids. (which include Grapeseed extract)

Studies have shown the efficacy of OPC's in strengthening blood vessels and increasing circulation. Pycnogenol, a patented ingredient has over 200 studies demonstrating scientific, evidenced based optimization of many health conditions, including, but not limited to circulation & blood vessel health. With over 40 years of research dedicated to Pycnogenol's safety, efficacy and quality. http://www.pycnogenol.com/

OPC-3 is the world's sole provider of patented isotonic formulated Pycnogenol.

As always, check with your doctor to be certain any of these "options" are a good fit for you and your particular situation. As many of these alternatives are natural blood thinners, which can be a  "good thing" if you are not already taking pharmaceutical blood thinners.

Source: Catherine Ulbricht, PharmD, cofounder of the Somerville, Massachusetts–based Natural Standard Research Collaboration, which collects data on natural therapies, and senior attending pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. She is also the author of Natural Standard Herbal Pharmacotherapy andNatural Standard Medical Conditions Reference (both from Mosby) and editor-in-chief of the Journal of Dietary Supplements.

Helping YOU to Select the Best Health,

Sherry

www.selectthebesthealth.com