Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a circulatory condition in which narrowing of the arteries occurs resulting in reduced blood flow to the limbs. It usually affects the legs causing inadequate blood flow to keep up with demand. This results in several symptoms, most commonly leg pain when walking (claudication). PAD is usually a sign of a more widespread accumulation of fatty deposits in the arteries (atherosclerosis). This condition may result in reduced blood flow to the heart as well. In this article, I go over remedies for peripheral artery disease as well as details of the condition itself.

Causes of PAD

The primary cause of PAD is atherosclerosis – a condition in which fatty deposits build up in the arterial walls and reduce blood flow. While the primary focus of atherosclerosis is the heart, the disease does also affect arteries throughout the body. In some cases, PAD can also be caused by blood vessel inflammation, injuries to the limbs, anatomical issues of the ligaments or muscles, or radiation exposure.

Symptoms of PAD

Many individuals with PAD experience little to no symptoms. Given how mild some of the symptoms may first appear, an individual may assume it is related to something else and may overlook it.

Common signs include:

• Cramps in one or both hips, thighs, or calf muscles after activities such as walking (claudication)
• Leg numbness or weakness
• Coldness in the lower leg or foot, especially when compared with the other side
• Sores on the toes, feet, or legs that won’t heal
• Discoloration of the skin on legs
• Hair loss or reduced hair growth on feet and legs
• Slow growth of your toenails
• Shiny skin on your legs
• Erectile dysfunction may also occur in men

If PAD is allowed to progress untreated, pain may even occur when at rest or when lying down (this is known as ischemic rest pain). The pain may even be intense enough to disrupt sleep. Some people find that hanging their legs over the edge of their bed or walking around a bit may temporarily relieve the pain.

Risk Factors

Several factors can increase one’s risk of developing PAD, such as:

Smoking
Diabetes
Obesity
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Being over 50 years old
A family history of PAD, heart disease, or stroke
Elevated homocysteine levels (Homocysteine is a protein component that helps build and maintain tissue)

Remedies for PAD:

While lifestyle changes are a critical part of managing this condition, some evidence-based natural remedies and dietary recommendations can also help.

Ginkgo Biloba

This medicinal herb has a wide-range of health benefits including benefits for circulatory health. In multiple studies, Ginkgo Biloba supplementation in patients with Peripheral Artery Occlusive Disease experienced improved pain-free walking distance as well as maximum walking distance (see study 1 & 2).

Dark Chocolate

Much like Ginkgo Biloba, Dark Chocolate also possesses circulatory health benefits due to its rich polyphenol content. These polyphenols have been found to increase nitric oxide levels, which in turn, boosts circulation by dilating the blood vessels.

In a clinical trial, Dark Chocolate supplementation was found to improve maximal walking distance in patients with PAD (see study).

Garlic

Garlic is probably one of the most popular remedies for cholesterol and blood pressure. It is known to have potent lipid-lowering properties and this has been supported by various studies.

Garlic has also been found to inhibit thrombocyte aggregation and to improve microcirculation (see study). Garlic supplementation in PAD was found to increase walking distance and decrease diastolic blood pressure, spontaneous thrombocyte aggregation, plasma viscosity, and cholesterol concentration (see study)

Nitrates (Beetroot)

Beetroot is well-known for its rich nitrate content. Nitrates are believed to increase plasma nitrites, resulting improved nitric-oxide related blood vessel dilation and other circulatory benefits.

In a clinical trial, the use of Beetroot use in patients with PAD resulted in increased peripheral tissue oxygenation in areas of hypoxia and increases exercise tolerance. There was an increase in peak walking time and a later onset of claudication pain. Diastolic blood pressure was also reduced (see study)

Vitamin D

Vitamin D plays a very prominent role in cardiovascular and circulatory health. The combination of Vitamin D3 and K2 has become popular for the improvement of calcification of arteries and elevated blood pressure.

Deficiencies of Vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of risk for heart attacks, congestive heart failure, peripheral arterial disease, and high blood pressure. Low levels of Vitamin D have also been associated with a higher prevalence of PAD (see study). Therefore, it is essential to get enough Vitamin D.

It is also important to note that Vitamin D should be used in the form of Vitamin D3, along with Vitamin K2 and Magnesium. Learn more about the connection between these three nutrients in this article.

Diet & Lifestyle for PAD

Exercise Regularly

A critical part of PAD treatment is regular physical activity. Depending on the severity of your condition, it may be important to do supervised exercise training, sometimes referred to as a structured exercise program. Generally speaking, walking regimens can improve symptoms significantly. Light cardio is always good for circulation.

Healthy Diet

Adopting heart-healthy eating habits is essential for maintaining good circulatory health by providing your body with the specific nutrients to keep the arteries clean and properly functioning. Focus on a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, high-fiber grains, and lean proteins. Reducing carbs may also be beneficial.

Certain foods are known to specifically have cardiovascular and circulatory health benefits such as pomegranate, beetroot, black seed, celery, dark chocolate, turmeric, blueberries, avocado, salmon, sardine, garlic, ginger, cruciferous vegetables, apples, kiwis, brazil nuts, watermelon, celery seeds, walnuts, and cumin.

If you’re looking for a specific diet to follow, The Mediterranean diet is one particularly known for its heart benefits.

Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking is absolutely non-negotiable for PAD management. Smoking contributes to constriction and damage of the arteries and is a significant risk factor for the development and worsening of PAD as well as other cardiovascular and circulatory issues.

Manage Diabetes

Elevated blood sugar can contribute to the hardening of arteries due to calcification. Therefore, keeping blood sugar levels under control can help to both reduce the progression of PAD as well as to reduce the risk of complications.

To learn more about how to manage diabetes naturally, see this article.

Control Blood Pressure and Cholesterol

High blood pressure and cholesterol can worsen PAD symptoms and increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks Increase blood pressure contributes to increases in microtears along the artery walls which then require cholesterol for healing. Long term, this can lead up to the development of plaques within the arteries and difficulty with proper circulation.

To learn more about managing blood pressure see this article. To learn more about lowering cholesterol and blood viscosity, see this article.

(Always use medicinal herb under the supervision of a doctor)

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by Dr. Nishal Ramnunan BAMS AD
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