Macrobiotic Help for Neuropathy

It's all a question of what you put your faith in really and as always, if it helps, nobody can criticise you. However, although many people swear by macrobiotic diets, it can't do any harm to speak to your doctor first can it? It doesn't have to be an MD, it can be a qualified homeopathic doctor who may have more knowledge in this area. The point is, that with HIV and neuropathy, you can't afford to take any risks, so make sure that anything you try isn't going to do you any harm and that requires talking to an expert.
Having said all that, the science behind macrobiotic diets may well be sound regarding neuropathy. Carbohydrates and sugar for instance, are associated with nerve damage..read this article from eHow Health (see link below) and see what you think. Read also the author's qualifications (see below), they may have a bearing on your opinion.

Neuropathy Cures Using Macrobiotics

Though neuropathy has no cure, but a macrobiotic diet can alleviate some of the symptoms or slow their progress. Follow a macrobiotic diet to prevent the high intake of carbohydrates that contributes to neuropathy---an often degenerative ailment of the nervous sstem. Stick to small meals at regular intervals for the best results.

Yin Foods

Begin with a diet rich in yin foods---in macrobiotic jargon, "cool" foods low in sodium but rich in potassium and generally originating from in aboveground plants such as fruits, vegetables and grains. Yin foods provide plenty of antioxidants, which help control blood glucose. Aim for colorful selections---which tend to have the highest nutrient content---including dark greens such as broccoli, green beans and kale, but also carrots, carrot tops, winter squash, daikon radishes, red cabbage and cauliflower. Steam or sauté vegetable to retain the most antioxidants. Avoid vegetables with little nutritious value, such as cucumbers, celery and most herbs, or those high in carbohydrates such as potatoes. Focus on yellow, orange and red fruits---particularly apples, apricots and pears. While a macrobiotic diet generally calls for avoiding citrus fruits, small servings of oranges or lemons may help control neuropathy.

Potassium, found in sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and almonds helps improve nerve function; eat 1 to 2 cups of these foods every week.

Some ointments used to treat neuropathy contain capsaicin, a compound found in red chilis. Eat this plant in powdered form (it's used extensively in Indian cooking ,for example), or mix it with baby powder and apply it topically.

Get plenty of vitamin B-12; eficiencies in this vitamin greatly exacerbate neuropathy by damaging the myelin sheath that protects the nerves. Though you'll find B-12 most commonly in animal products from poultry and eggs to fish and dairy, yin choices include fortified cereals and grains, as well as fortified soy milk. Select whole grains, oat bread or buckwheat, avoiding white flour or processed grains. Shoot for 50 to 100 micrograms per day of vitamin B-12.

Yang Foods

Eat yang foods, or "warm" foods, in small doses. Yang foods include meats, fish, poultry, eggs, hard cheeses, sea salt and sea vegetables, whole grains and legumes. An important source of vitamin B-12, yang foods are also rich in alpha lipoic acid; consuming 50 mg per day of this acid effectively removes glucose from the bloodstream, thus controlling neuropathy. For the best source of alpha lipoic acid, eat organic, lean cuts of red meat. Use sparingly, but consider keeping red meat in your diet.

Other Considerations

Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, both of which agitate neuropathy. Stick to water, green tea and weak teas made from sticks, dandelions and herbs. Use stevia root and honey as acceptable alternatives to artificial sweeteners and sugar.

John Briggs
Over the course of a 15-year career, John Briggs has written for print and online clients. As a syndicated TV critic, his work appeared in some of the country's top dailies. He has a degree in political science from Temple University and took additional writing classes at NYU.

http://www.ehow.com/way_5683457_neuropathy-cures-using-macrobiotics.html