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DISORDERS
(Their description, characteristics or symptoms,
causes, and complementary or alternative treatments)
Disorder: CIRCULATORY PROBLEMS
Description: There are many disorders associated with circulatory problems, including hypertension, intermittent claudication, Buerger’s disease, Raynaud’s disease, and varicose veins.
Symptoms: Early signs of Buerger’s disease are a tingling sensation (commonly referred to as "pins and needles") and a burning sensation in the fingers and toes. It can lead to ulceration and gangrene; in severe cases, amputation may be required. Raynaud’s disease, another serious circulatory condition, is characterized by constriction and spasm of the blood vessels in the extremities, such as in the fingers, toes, and tip of the nose. Cold, stress, smoking and other factors may cause fingers and toes to become numb; extremities may appear colorless or bluish due to lack of circulation. Most commonly, intermittent claudication causes mild to severe leg pain during exertion. Eventually, as blood flow continues to slow, even short walks can cause difficulty. Skin becomes weak and susceptible to wounds from lack of proper amounts of blood, oxygen and nutrients. Pain can develop in the hips, thighs, calves and feet. People with advanced cases can develop sores on their toes and heels. (Also see Hypertension and Varicose Veins.)
Incidence:
Causes: The same factors that contribute to heart disease, such as smoking and too much dietary fat, also contribute to poor circulation. Fatty deposits build up along artery walls, impeding circulation and reducing the flow of blood to the limbs.
Treatments: Diet, nutritional supplements, and regular exercise can help improve circulation.
Nutrients:
Supplement Dosage Comments
|
L-Carnitine |
500 mg. twice daily. |
Helps to strengthen the heart muscle and to promote circulation by transporting long fatty acids chains. |
|
Garlic |
2 capsules 3 times daily, with meals |
Lowers blood pressure and helps to strengthen the heart muscle. Thins the blood. |
|
Coenzyme Q10 |
100 mg. daily |
Improves tissue oxygenation. |
|
Lecithin granules or capsules |
1 tbsp. 3 times daily, or 2400 mg. caps. 3 times daily, before meals. |
Emulsifies (breaks up) fats. |
|
Vitamin B Complex |
50-100 mg. 3 times daily. |
Needed for metabolism of fat and cholesterol. Consider injections, under a doctor’s supervision. |
|
Vitamin C with bioflavonoids |
5,000-10,000 mg. daily, in divided doses |
Helps prevent blood clotting. |
|
Calcium and
Magnesium |
1500-2000 mg. daily, in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime. 750-1,000 mg. daily, in divided doses, after meals and at bedtime. |
Essential in normal blood viscosity. Calcium and magnesium work together. |
|
Vitamin A |
50,000 IU daily. If you are pregnant, do not exceed 10,000 IU daily. |
Aids in storage of at and acts as an antioxidant. |
|
Vitamin E |
Start with 200 IU daily and increase slowly to 1500 IU daily. |
Inhibits the formation of free radicals. |
Herbs:
 | Ginkgo biloba improves circulation in general, seeming to improve the oxygen supply to the heart, the brain, and other organs. |
| Other herbs that support the heart and circulatory system include cayenne (capsicum) hawthorn berries, horseradish, and rose hips. |
Recommendations:
| Make sure your diet is high in fiber. Oat bran can help lower cholesterol levels. |
| Include the following in your diet: bananas, brown rice, endive, garlic, lima beans, onions, pears, peas and spinach. |
| Drink high quality, steam distilled water. |
| Eliminate animal protein, red meat, fatty foods, sugar and white flour from your diet. |
| Eliminate coffee and colas. |
| Do not smoke, and avoid second-hand smoke. |
| Get regular exercise to help blood flow and to keep the arteries soft and unclogged. |
| Keep your weight down. |
| If you have circulatory problems, do not take any preparations containing shark cartilage unless specifically directed to do so by your physician. Shark cartilage inhibits the formation of new blood vessels, the mechanism by which the body can increase circulatory capacity. |
Considerations:
| Poor circulation can be caused by a variety of different factors. See your health care provider if the condition persists. |
Vitamin For Life Recommended Regimen and cost:
|
Product No |
Description |
Comments |
Cost |
|
627-12 OP |
L-Carnitine 500 mg. |
2 tablets daily, in divided doses |
$27.95/60 |
|
978-15 |
Garlic 400 mg. odor free Tabs. |
2 tablets 3 times daily, with meals |
$5.50/100 |
|
949-11 |
Coenzyme Q10 100 mg. Caps. |
1 capsule daily |
$19.95/30 |
|
921-15 |
Lecithin 1200 mg. softgels |
1 softgel 3 times daily, before meals |
$4.50/100 |
|
890-15 |
B complex 100 mg. Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily |
$8.95/100 |
|
970-12 |
C 1000 mg. with rose hips Tablets |
1 tablet 3 times daily, in divided doses |
$5.75/60 |
|
112-17 |
Calcium Oyscal 500 mg. with D Tabs. |
1 tablet 3 times daily, in divided doses |
$5.75/120 |
|
232-15 |
Magnesium 200 mg. Caps. |
1 capsule 3 times daily |
$4.95/100 |
|
958-15 |
A natural 10,000 IU softgels |
1 softgel 3 times daily |
$3.95/100 |
|
237-15 |
Vitamin E 200 IU (D-alpha tocopheryl) softgels |
Start with 1 softgel daily and slowly increase to 6 softgels daily |
$5.28/100 |
|
950-12 |
Ginkgo Biloba Extract 60 mg. Caps. |
As directed on label. |
$9.95/60 |
Sources:
Prescription for Nutritional Healing, 2nd Edition
By James F. Balch, M.D. & Phyllis A. Balch, C.N.C.
Prevention’s Healing with Vitamins, by the Editors of
Prevention Magazine Health Books
