6 replies to this topic

[InVeritate]

Hello all,

I am slowly building a regimen and seeking to add a supplement to promote circulation. In my case I have very poor circulation in my lower extremities due to paralysis. I have been a paraplegic for 25 years (I am 27 now) and am noticing my circulation in my feet may be worsening. I would make the comparison to diabetics. This is a very common problem for disabled individuals that can cause many complications. Similar to diabetics the lack of proper circulation can impede wound healing. It also can advance the development of pressure ulcers. In some cases this can lead to amputation. I am also seriously worried about clots forming.

I have already experienced some of these problems. Due to a tightly fitting shoe, I developed a large sore on a toe that refused to heal for months. Ultimately, what helped me to heal was to spend a whole week in bed with my feet elevated to improve blood flow followed by further bed rest as well as having a debridement done by a podiatrist.

My overall physical health I would characterize as better than average. I try to make my body work the best it can. I swim and cycle regularly and do weight training. I have followed a lacto-octo vegetarian diet for the past 14 years. But I feel I am not getting all of the benefits I could. Despite the regularity of aerobic exercise for example, I have not been able to develop a lower resting pulse. I have thought that my constricted circulation in my legs may be a contributing factor.

I have resolved to keep them elevated more regularly, but I feel like this is not enough. I am considering supplements that could do one of three things: act as vasodilators, act as blood thinners, or promote the development of circulatory tissue.

I currently supplement 400-800IU of D3, a B vitamin complex, Maca, and Glucosamine, all daily, and Glutamine only following periods of intense exercise. I also try to carefully balance my diet to include regular vitamins and minerals.

Thank you for your advice.

[niner]

Hi InVeritate, welcome to Longecity! It sounds like venous insufficiency, if elevating your legs is beneficial. If that's the case, you might well see some improvement with Pycnogenol. A reasonable dose would be 100mg twice a day. Unless you are spending excessive amounts of time in the sun, you certainl need more vitamin D3. 2000-3000 IU/d, taken from an oil-based (softgel) formulation would be appropriate. Get a 25-OH-D3 blood test; ask your doctor for that. I shoot for 50ng/ml. What's your resting pulse rate now?

[InVeritate]

Niner,

Thank you for the welcome. I have been reading the forum for quite a while. I had never considered supplementing prior to reading some of the threads here. It is really a great resource. I did a search for venous insufficiency. This led me to a description of Chronic Venous Insufficiency. The symptoms are almost exactly how I would characterize my circulation problems. I started thinking my circulation was getting worse when I began developing "eczema" on my feet. Reading about Pycnogenol it sounds exactly like what I am looking for. I have been trying to determine a regimen of supplements that target specific problems, but still provide broader benefits or synergistic benefits.

I take my resting heart rate every morning just after waking up. It can vary considerably. On most mornings it will be in the mid 70s though at times it will be in the mid to low 60s. I would like to get it in the low 60s consistently, if not even lower. I started thinking my legs might influence it when I noticed that if I woke up and my feet felt warm to my touch (they are usually quite cold and purple by the end of the day) then my heart rate tended to be lower. That is just a casual observation. I have been aerobic training regularly and routinely cycle 40-50 miles a week.

Once I get the Pycnogenol I plan on doing a simple experiment. Once I wake up in the morning I will record each hour my observations of my feet and note how long it takes before I notice mottled skin color, swelling, and being cold to the touch. We will see if I notice a trend.

Thanks too for the tip about D3. I will double up on the D3 tablets I have now. I have been thinking I should since my wife had a fainting spell her doctor attributed to low vitamin D.

[Lufega]

I dealt with venous insufficiency for a long time. The only thing that worked for me short of compression socks was Diosmin in the formula "European Leg solutions." Two pills a day was very helpful. Also, regarding improved circulation, Capsaicin supplements come to mind and vasodilators like magnesium and arginine.

[InVeritate]

I tried compression socks for a while, but they never seemed to work, and at times seemed to exacerbate the problem. I am considering trying compression bandage therapy at the lowest pressure threshold. I bought the Pycnogenol yesterday and have began supplementing it. Lufega, you mention arginine. I have seen research indicating that it compliments Pycnogenol. I am going to research it more and consider adding it. I have to determine to whether my diet may be deficient in it.I really think I have benefited from my supplementing of Glutamine so maybe it will be the same with Arginine. Thanks for the tip. The way my wife cooks with chili, she uses it like others use ketchup, I not sure I should supplement capsaicin. I need to check out the magnesium possibility too. Thanks!

[J. Galt]

I tried compression socks for a while, but they never seemed to work, and at times seemed to exacerbate the problem. I am considering trying compression bandage therapy at the lowest pressure threshold. I bought the Pycnogenol yesterday and have began supplementing it. Lufega, you mention arginine. I have seen research indicating that it compliments Pycnogenol. I am going to research it more and consider adding it. I have to determine to whether my diet may be deficient in it.I really think I have benefited from my supplementing of Glutamine so maybe it will be the same with Arginine. Thanks for the tip. The way my wife cooks with chili, she uses it like others use ketchup, I not sure I should supplement capsaicin. I need to check out the magnesium possibility too. Thanks!

Cayenne, horsetail extract, gout kola, and butcher's broom are all helpful herbal supplements for circulation. Swanson Vitamins has most of them in its "Leg Vein Essentials" formula (which i've found to be highly effective) for like $5/month.

Deep breathing exercises are also beneficial.

[InVeritate]

Thanks J. It is nice to know about the leg essentials herb tincture. I am going to give the pycnogenol time to work and then I will evaluate experimenting with other supplements. I may already be noticing some effect. I started thinking about a supplement when I developed a psoriasis looking discolored patch on the back of my calf. It seems to be getting smaller now. But I may finally be noticing effects from my exercise regimen. I recently bumped up my miles cycled during the week. It is hard for me to tell what may be improving it or impeding my circulation. On the occasional day my legs will still be warm and pink by the end of the day. But most often they are discolored a patchy purple and feel cold to the touch.