Summary
Limited research indicates that L-carnitine supplementation (under medical supervision) may improve exercise tolerance in individuals with peripheral arterial disease (PAD). Moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages has been associated with a decreased risk of developing PAD.
Disease Overview
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) results from atherosclerosis of the arteries that supply blood to the head, organs, and limbs. PAD most commonly affects the arteries in the legs.
Due to the narrowed arteries and reduced blood flow to the extremities, cramping, pain, and fatigue may occur, especially during physical activity. The activity-induced muscle pain associated with PAD is clinically termed intermittent claudication. Left untreated, PAD can lead to tissue damage or infection.
See below for specific information about nutrients and dietary factors relevant to intermittent claudication.
Other Articles
Atherosclerosis
Coronary Heart Disease
| Condition | Caused by Atherosclerosis of |
|---|---|
| Coronary Artery Disease | the arteries that supply blood to the heart |
| Carotid Artery Disease | the arteries that supply blood to the brain |
| Peripheral Arterial Disease | the arteries that supply blood to the head, organs, and limbs |
Nutrition Research
L-Carnitine
What it does
General
- L-carnitine is a compound that can be made inside the body and obtained from food and dietary supplements. It is considered a conditionally essential nutrient because in some situations, the body’s demand for L-carnitine exceeds its capacity to make it.
- L-carnitine helps the body convert fat into useable energy.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)-specific
- Supplemental forms of carnitine, L-carnitine and propionyl-L-carnitine, administered in conjunction with standard drug therapy appear to improve cardiac and skeletal muscle function during ischemia.
- Propionyl-L-carnitine in particular may benefit ischemic tissue by replenishing intermediates of energy metabolism or by increasing blood vessel dilation (widening).
What we know
- Several randomized controlled trials have found that oral supplementation with propionyl-L-carnitine improves exercise tolerance (walking performancy) in some patients with intermittent claudication.
For references and more information, see the section on intermittent claudication and PAD in L-carnitine article.
Alcoholic Beverages
What they do
General
- Alcoholic beverages contain ethanol and other ingredients with bioactive properties that may benefit health.
- When consumed in moderation (no more than two drinks/day for men and one drink/day for women), alcoholic beverages have been associated with beneficial effects in the cardiovascular system.
Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)-specific
- Moderate alcohol consumption favorably influences several atherosclerotic risk factors: it increases HDL-C levels, inhibits factors involved in blood clot formation, and may have an anti-inflammatory effect.
What we know
- There is some evidence that moderate alcohol consumption is associated with a decreased risk of PAD.
For references and more information, see the section on the Potential Health Benefits of Moderate Alcohol Consumption in the Alcoholic Beverages article.
Definitions
Artery – a muscular-walled blood vessel that carries blood away from the heart
Atherosclerosis – the buildup of plaque inside arterial walls
Claudication – pain caused by insufficient blood flow during exercise
Ischemia – inadequate blood supply to an organ or part of the body
Placebo – a chemically inactive substance
Periphery – the outer regions of the body; away from the heart
Plaque – a deposit of fat, cholesterol, immune cells, fibrin (a blood clotting protein), and other substances that forms inside arterial walls
Randomized controlled trial – a human research study in which participants are assigned by chance alone to receive either an experimental agent (the treatment group) or a placebo (the control group)
Authors and Reviewers
Originally written in May 2015 by:
Giana Angelo, Ph.D.
Linus Pauling Institute
Oregon State University
Reviewed in September 2015 by:
John F. Keaney, Jr., M.D.
Medical Director, Heart and Vascular Center of Excellence
Chief, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
University of Massachusetts Medical School and Memorial Medical Center
Mary C. DeFeudis Professor of Biomedical Research
University of Massachusetts Medical School
Copyright 2015-2025 Linus Pauling Institute
| Relevant External Link | Related Condition |
|---|---|
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