Condition
Intermittent Claudication
Intermittent claudication is leg pain during walking that eases with rest, caused by peripheral artery disease, in which narrowed arteries limit blood flow to the legs. Ginkgo biloba and L-arginine have the strongest evidence, rated moderate, and in one trial of 39 people, blood flow went up with L-arginine. That study was small, and the evidence for other options such as vitamin E is limited.
Sources: PMID 9809945
- Supplements studied
- 4
- Graded outcomes
- 2
- Trials
- 6
- People studied
- 1,221
Evidence by supplement
- Strong
- Moderate
- Limited
- Very limited
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blood Flow Small Increase | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 1 study | 39 people | ||
| Nitric Oxide | Improves (the measure goes up) | 4 studies | 39 people | |||
Studies that measured nitric oxide
| ||||||
| Intermittent Claudication Symptoms | Changes; see studies | 39 people | ||||
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High-density lipoprotein (HDL) Small Improvement | Improves (the measure goes up) | Small effect | 39 people | |||
| Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) | Improves (the measure goes down) | 10 studies | 39 people | |||
Studies that measured low-density lipoprotein (ldl) | ||||||
| Total cholesterol | Improves (the measure goes down) | 3 studies | 39 people | |||
Studies that measured total cholesterol
| ||||||
| Intermittent Claudication Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 1 study | 39 people | |||
Studies that measured intermittent claudication symptoms | ||||||
Ginkgo Biloba
- Intermittent Claudication Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intermittent Claudication Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 5 studies | 415 people | |||
Studies that measured intermittent claudication symptoms
| ||||||
L-Carnitine
- Intermittent Claudication Symptoms: improves
| Grade | Outcome | Effect | Size | Studies | People | Studies list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intermittent Claudication Symptoms | Improves (the measure goes down) | 3 studies | 570 people | |||
Studies that measured intermittent claudication symptoms | ||||||
Key findings
- Blood FlowImproves (the measure goes up)
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL)Improves (the measure goes up)
The Intermittent Claudication Support protocol
2 primary supplements · 3 supporting supplements
- Ginkgo Biloba120–240 mg standardized extract daily
- L-Arginine3–6 g daily in divided doses
Shop the evidence-backed picks
Support alongside medical care. These supplements are not a treatment for Intermittent Claudication. If you are being treated for it, talk to your clinician before adding one: supplements can interact with medicines.
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Studies cited
100 studies from PubMed
- Effect of Ginkgo biloba Extract on Cognitive Function: A Systematic Review
- Efficacy and Safety of Ginkgo biloba in Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Extract (EGb 761): Pharmacological Activities and Clinical Outcomes
- Ginkgo biloba L. Historical Background and Current Applications in Medicine
- Ginkgo biloba and Brain Health: A Comprehensive Review
- Safety Profile of Ginkgo biloba Extract: Evidence from Clinical Trials
- Pharmacokinetics and Bioavailability of Ginkgo biloba Extract
- Neuroprotective Effects of Ginkgo biloba Extract: A Review
- Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba on Peripheral Arterial Disease: Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Extract for Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Extract for Cognitive Decline and Dementia: A Cochrane Review Summary
- Ginkgo biloba for Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
- Ginkgo biloba Special Extract EGb 761 in Dementia: A Review
- Efficacy of Ginkgo biloba in Treating Acute Ischemic Stroke: A Meta-Analysis
- Reduction of rise in blood pressure and cortisol release during stress by Ginkgo biloba extract (EGb 761) in healthy volunteers
- Effect of a long-term oral l-arginine supplementation on glucose metabolism: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Beneficial effects of a long-term oral L-arginine treatment added to a hypocaloric diet and exercise training program in obese, insulin-resistant type 2 diabetic patients
- The effect of oral L-arginine supplementation on fasting glucose, HbA1c, nitric oxide and total antioxidant status in diabetic patients with atherosclerotic peripheral arterial disease of lower extremities
- A study of growth hormone release in man after oral administration of amino acids
- Growth hormone responses to varying doses of oral arginine
- No effect of short-term arginine supplementation on nitric oxide production, metabolism and performance in intermittent exercise in athletes
- L-arginine supplementation in peripheral arterial disease: no benefit and possible harm
- Effects of 7 days of arginine-alpha-ketoglutarate supplementation on blood flow, plasma L-arginine, nitric oxide metabolites, and asymmetric dimethyl arginine after resistance exercise
- Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of oral L-citrulline and L-arginine: impact on nitric oxide metabolism
- Hemodynamic and vascular response to resistance exercise with L-arginine
- L-arginine-induced vasodilation in healthy humans: pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationship
- Effect of L-Arginine supplementation on lipid profiles and inflammatory markers: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
- Oral arginine does not stimulate basal or augment exercise-induced GH secretion in either young or old adults
- Acute L-arginine alpha ketoglutarate supplementation fails to improve muscular performance in resistance trained and untrained men
- Restoring vascular nitric oxide formation by L-arginine improves the symptoms of intermittent claudication in patients with peripheral arterial occlusive disease
- Influence of chronic supplementation of arginine aspartate in endurance athletes on performance and substrate metabolism - a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- The effect of l-arginine supplementation on lipid profile: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
- L-carnitine ameliorated fasting-induced fatigue, hunger, and metabolic abnormalities in patients with metabolic syndrome: a randomized controlled study
- L-Carnitine's Effect on the Biomarkers of Metabolic Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
- Ameliorating hypertension and insulin resistance in subjects at increased cardiovascular risk: effects of acetyl-L-carnitine therapy
- Comparative study to evaluate the effect of l-carnitine plus glimepiride versus glimepiride alone on insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients
- Effects of simvastatin and carnitine versus simvastatin on lipoprotein(a) and apoprotein(a) in type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Comparison between orlistat plus l-carnitine and orlistat alone on inflammation parameters in obese diabetic patients
- Effects of combination of sibutramine and L-carnitine compared with sibutramine monotherapy on inflammatory parameters in diabetic patients
- L-Carnitine supplementation reduces oxidized LDL cholesterol in patients with diabetes
- Effect of L-carnitine on plasma glycemic and lipidemic profile in patients with type II diabetes mellitus
- Effect of carnitine-orotate complex on glucose metabolism and fatty liver: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study
- Efficacy and tolerability of combined treatment with L-carnitine and simvastatin in lowering lipoprotein(a) serum levels in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Blood Pressure and Metabolic Effects of Acetyl-l-Carnitine in Type 2 Diabetes: DIABASI Randomized Controlled Trial
- The effects of oral L-carnitine treatment on blood lipid metabolism and the body fat content in the diabetic patient
- The effect of L-carnitine on plasma lipoprotein(a) levels in hypercholesterolemic patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
- The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on cardiovascular risk factors in participants with impaired glucose tolerance and diabetes: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
- Effects of acetyl-L-carnitine and methylcobalamin for diabetic peripheral neuropathy: A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial
- Effect of oral L-carnitine administration on insulin sensitivity and lipid profile in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
- The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic markers in adults: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.
- L-carnitine improves glucose disposal in type 2 diabetic patients
- Caloric restriction and L-carnitine administration improves insulin sensitivity in patients with impaired glucose metabolism
- Preliminary observations on the use of propionyl-L-carnitine in combination with sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction and diabetes
- Acetyl-l-carnitine versus placebo for migraine prophylaxis: A randomized, triple-blind, crossover study
- The effects of magnesium, L-carnitine, and concurrent magnesium-L-carnitine supplementation in migraine prophylaxis
- Effects of carnitine on glucose and lipid metabolic profiles and fertility outcomes in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: A systematic review and meta-analysis.
- Oral carnitine supplementation reduces body weight and insulin resistance in women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Effects of Carnitine Administration on Carotid Intima-media Thickness and Inflammatory Factors in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Trial
- Effects of L-carnitine supplementation for women with polycystic ovary syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis
- Effect of glycine propionyl-L-carnitine on aerobic and anaerobic exercise performance
- Influence of L-carnitine administration on maximal physical exercise
- Effects of nine weeks L-Carnitine supplementation on exercise performance, anaerobic power, and exercise-induced oxidative stress in resistance-trained males
- l-Carnitine l-tartrate supplementation favorably affects biochemical markers of recovery from physical exertion in middle-aged men and women
- Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine produces enhanced anaerobic work capacity with reduced lactate accumulation in resistance trained males
- Chronic oral ingestion of L-carnitine and carbohydrate increases muscle carnitine content and alters muscle fuel metabolism during exercise in humans
- The effect of oral supplementation with L-carnitine on maximum and submaximum exercise capacity
- Effect of intravenous L-carnitine on carnitine homeostasis and fuel metabolism during exercise in humans
- Effects of prolonged L-carnitine administration on delayed muscle pain and CK release after eccentric effort
- l-Carnitine Supplementation in Older Women. A Pilot Study on Aging Skeletal Muscle Mass and Function
- Effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on muscle oxygenation responses to resistance exercise
- The effects of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on hormonal responses to resistance exercise and recovery
- Levocarnitine administration in elderly subjects with rapid muscle fatigue: effect on body composition, lipid profile and fatigue
- Oxidative stress in response to aerobic and anaerobic power testing: influence of exercise training and carnitine supplementation
- Effect of L-carnitine on submaximal exercise metabolism after depletion of muscle glycogen
- Androgenic responses to resistance exercise: effects of feeding and L-carnitine
- Carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism during exercise after oral carnitine supplementation in humans
- Effects of four weeks L-carnitine L-tartrate ingestion on substrate utilization during prolonged exercise
- L -Carnitine and the recovery from exhaustive endurance exercise: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Effects of carnitine coingested caffeine on carnitine metabolism and endurance capacity in athletes
- Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on physical performance and energy metabolism of endurance-trained athletes: a double-blind crossover field study
- Clinical Effects of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Physical Performance in Healthy Subjects, the Key to Success in Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis from the Rehabilitation Point of View.
- L-Carnitine/Simvastatin Reduces Lipoprotein (a) Levels Compared with Simvastatin Monotherapy: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Study
- Effect of lysine, vitamin B(6), and carnitine supplementation on the lipid profile of male patients with hypertriglyceridemia: a 12-week, open-label, randomized, placebo-controlled trial
- L-carnitine infusion does not alleviate lipid-induced insulin resistance and metabolic inflexibility
- Effects of acute versus chronic L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation on metabolic responses to steady state exercise in males and females
- Liver-Oriented Acute Metabolic Effects of A Low Dose of L-Carnitine under Fat-Mobilizing Conditions: Pilot Human Clinical Trial
- The effects of L-carnitine supplementation on glycemic control: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
- The effect of L-carnitine on inflammatory mediators: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials
- Single dose administration of L-carnitine improves antioxidant activities in healthy subjects
- Comparison of pre-workout nitric oxide stimulating dietary supplements on skeletal muscle oxygen saturation, blood nitrate/nitrite, lipid peroxidation, and upper body exercise performance in resistance trained men
- Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine modulates lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in human subjects
- L-carnitine supplementation to diet: a new tool in treatment of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis--a randomized and controlled clinical trial
- Effects of carnitine supplementation on flow-mediated dilation and vascular inflammatory responses to a high-fat meal in healthy young adults
- The effect of l-carnitine on fat oxidation, protein turnover, and body composition in slightly overweight subjects
- Effects of exercise intensity and altered substrate availability on cardiovascular and metabolic responses to exercise after oral carnitine supplementation in athletes
- Safety measures of L-carnitine L-tartrate supplementation in healthy men
- Effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation on insulin sensitivity indices in response to glucose feeding in lean and overweight/obese males
- Glycine propionyl-L-carnitine increases plasma nitrate/nitrite in resistance trained men
- Effects of L-carnitine on oxidative stress responses in patients with renal disease
- Effects of L-carnitine supplementation on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.