One Vitamin That “Opens Blood Vessels” — What’s the Truth?
The vitamin most often associated with vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) is niacin (vitamin B3). High doses of the nicotinic-acid form can cause a characteristic flushing reaction because of increased blood flow near the skin.
O
ODNIH
+1
But there’s an important catch: niacin should not be taken simply as a circulation booster. Although prescription-strength niacin can improve cholesterol numbers, research has not shown that these changes reduce cardiovascular events, and experts don’t recommend high-dose niacin for people taking statins.
O
ODNIH
+1
What about vitamin C?
Vitamin C has been shown in research to support endothelial function and nitric-oxide-related vasodilation, but that doesn’t mean taking vitamin C supplements will open blocked arteries or reliably improve circulation.
O
ODNIH
The safest approach
For healthy circulation, focus on:
Regular physical activity, especially walking
Not smoking
Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes
Eating plenty of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and fish
Taking prescribed cardiovascular medicines as directed
Don’t take high-dose niacin to make your blood vessels “open.” High doses can cause flushing, dizziness, increased blood sugar, and—particularly with prolonged high-dose use—serious liver problems.
O
ODNIH
If you’re asking because you have cold feet, leg pain when walking, numbness, or swollen legs, those symptoms can have very different causes, and it’s better to identify the cause than try to increase circulation with a vitamin.
O
Sources
