If this is old news to long time forum members I'll apologize in advance for the repetition but I'll chance posting these somewhat dated links to the potential benefits of topical L-arginine (L-Arg) creams to improve blood circulation particularly for diabetic neuropathy.

My interest here is admittedly self-centered since I'm still looking for anything that can give me even momentary relief to the constant freezing cold pain that I, and I know many others, also struggle with. I hope there is some truth to the claims since my latest podiatrist, number 6 in my ever widening circle just gave me, well, for a price, a tube of the cream - she claims that some of her diabetic patients have had good results so I'll see. In any case if other forum members know this stuff is a scam or congealed snake oil please let me know.

Nonetheless, assuming there is some merit to the claims a capsule synopsis of the benefit of L-Arg is that this amino acid is the physiological precursor to nitric oxide, a critical factor requisite to relax endothelial smooth muscle which controls blood flow. Diabetics are deficient in L-arginine but can have an excess of an L-Arg analogue which is a nitric oxide inhibitor and blocks the enzymatic conversion of L-Arg to nitric oxide. The L-Arg creams supply the amino acid transdermally which then helps to restore the blood flow. I would imagine that pre-diabetics might also benefit since the same types of physiological changes are in progress.

The authors claim some success in treating peripheral vascular disease (PVD) as well as other PN's with a metabolic origin, e.g. a B12 deficiency

http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/466972
http://www.podiatrytoday.com/article/4637

Alkymst