The supplement also improved blood flow to the limbs, which was measured using a noninvasive technique called Doppler ultrasound. Herbalists often recommend 120 milligrams of ginkgo in divided doses of 40 milligrams three times a day. In some studies, however, people have used 160 milligrams a day with good results. Dr. Weiss s recommendation is lower. He prefers to use a standardized liquid extract of ginkgo , prescribing 20 drops four times a day for at least six months.
Vitamin E has a long history of use for intermittent claudication.
For smokers, however, supplementation with vitamin E doesn t seem to reduce the symptoms of intermittent claudication. It s quite possible that the vitamin can t entirely overcome the harmful effects that smoking has on your circulatory system, Dr. Weiss says. Dr. Weiss gives many of his patients with atherosclerosis 400 to 800 IU of vitamin E and 1,000 to 3,000 grams of vitamin C a day. Vitamin E helps prevent the oxidation of harmful LDL cholesterol, a first step in cholesterol blockage. Vitamin C regenerates vitamin E and also helps the cells lining the blood vessel walls to produce nitric oxide, which keeps blood vessels open and dilated.