In someone with intermittent claudication, the body's ability to deliver fuel and oxygen to the tissues is compromised, explains Dr. Bieber. My guess is that if L-carnitine can help you use the fuel a little more efficiently or get more oxygen to the muscles, that might be what's at work here. L-carnitine can be found in meats, especially red meat. Vegetarians can get enough L-carnitine if they follow a diet that supplies a reasonable amount of protein , says Dr. Bieber. If you choose to supplement your diet, L-carnitine supplements can be found in most health food stores.
Some doctors recommend one nutrient, vitamin E , to prevent and treat intermittent claudication.
It's best to check with your doctor before taking vitamin E in doses that exceed 600 international units daily. If you are taking anticoagulant drugs, you should not take vitamin E supplements. The information given here is designed to help you make informed decisions about your health. In larger amounts, vitamins and minerals can have powerful druglike effects on your body. It is possible to overdose on certain vitamins and minerals, and it is possible to experience side effects.