Have any supplements been studied for peripheral arterial disease?

    Written by:

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Last Updated: May 16, 2025

    Several supplements have been studied for peripheral arterial disease, including alpha-lipoic acid, arginine, and carnitine, and carnitine has shown benefits in reducing calf pain and increasing walking distance. Additionally, supplementation with nitrate has been found to improve blood flow, vascular function, and exercise capacity in affected individuals.

    Several supplements have been studied in people with peripheral arterial disease. These include alpha-lipoic acid, arginine, carnitine, creatine, fish oil (which contains omega-3 fatty acids), flaxseed, ginkgo biloba, nitrate, resveratrol, etc. For many of these supplements, including creatine, omega-3 fatty acids, and ginkgo biloba, there is no clear benefit.[1][2][3][4][5][6] However, carnitine supplementation lowers intermittent claudication (calf pain during exercise) and increases walking distance in people with peripheral arterial disease.[7] Furthermore, emerging data show that nitrate supplementation can improve limb blood flow, vascular function, and exercise capacity in people with peripheral arterial disease.[8][9][10][11]

    Have any supplements been studied for peripheral arterial disease? - Examine