Alternative medicine
By Mayo Clinic staffDietary supplements that may be helpful for people with small vessel disease include:
- Coenzyme Q10. This coenzyme, which is naturally present in your body, can improve blood pressure and circulation when taken as a supplement. Coenzyme Q10, taken in daily doses up to 200 milligrams, may improve small vessel blood flow in people with diabetes and coronary artery disease, and could have a similar effect in people with small vessel disease.
- L-arginine. This amino acid that's normally used by the body to help metabolize protein may help treat symptoms of small vessel disease by relaxing your blood vessels.
As with any other alternative therapy, talk to your doctor before adding any supplements to your treatment to ensure that they won't interfere with any medications you're already taking.
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- L-arginine. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed July 11, 2010.

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