Peripheral neuropathy is the most common type of diabetic neuropathy. It damages the peripheral nerves that branch out to our arms, legs, fingers, and toes. When these nerves are damaged, severe problems may develop, frequently causing infections, ulcers, pain from bones and joints, and amputations to the feet. But peripheral neuropathy can develop from many other medical conditions as well.
Metabolic problems, traumatic injuries, inflammatory infections, autoimmune diseases, poor nutrition, chronic kidney disease, and unknown (idiopathic) causes can damage these delicate nerves, preventing them from properly sending out signals transmitted by the brain or spinal cord to the rest of the body.
Poor dietary habits often cause long-term elevation of blood sugar which is responsible for developing nerve damage. Initially, it could be asymptomatic but eventually becomes debilitating if left untreated. Damaged nerves will continue sending out confusing signals to the brain, and if left untreated, numbness, tingling, burning sensations, and pain will continue to intensify in severity over time.
Not regularly eating healthy foods, becoming overweight or obese, failure to regularly exercise are a few lifestyle risk factors that elevate blood sugar levels, damaging blood vessels supplying oxygen to our nerve endings. Over the years as we continue to consume junk food, gaining more weight, doing much too little physically to keep ourselves healthy, the body eventually capitulates to the destructive forces damaging blood vessels leaving a dysfunctional nervous system. It should come as no surprise that when we choose to continuously abuse the body with habits destructive to health, these issues arise by not respecting the needs of our body. Today, it is estimated that at least 20 million Americans suffer from peripheral neuropathy and that 60 percent of diabetics suffer from it.
It is also estimated that more than 100 million Americans are currently living with diabetes or prediabetes according to the Center for Disease Control. Their 2015 report concluded that 9.4 percent of Americans or more than 30 million adults have diabetes that develops from lifestyle habits destructive to our health as we age.
The CDC also estimates that 26 percent or one-quarter of all Americans aged 65 and older currently have diabetes. Despite this on-going epidemic numbers for diabetes and peripheral neuropathy continue to escalate as this article is read.
Peripheral nerves are the cables for delivering messages sent from our brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. These nerves affect how the body responds to pain, temperature, and reflexes, depending on which type of nerves are damaged. There are three types of peripheral nerves: motor nerves, sensory nerves, and autonomic nerves.
Our brain controls the contractions of skeletal muscles through information provided by our nerves. But motor neurons located in the spinal cord are the only way our brain connects to muscles. When peripheral nerves are damaged, muscles may atrophy due to muscle weakness along with difficulty moving arms or legs. Uncontrolled muscle twitching can also develop along with decreased reflexes.
The brain also sends signals via sensory nerves to trigger our senses. Our ability to sense hot and cold or feeling something is due to our sensory nerves. When these are damaged, numbness or tingling is often felt in the hands or feet, along with a sensitivity to touch. Our ability to sense temperature changes to hot or cold becomes disabled, along with a loss of reflexes and coordination.
The autonomic nerves control involuntary and semi-voluntary functions. Raising and lowering of blood pressure, how much we sweat, heart rate, and bladder functions are affected. When these nerves are damaged, symptoms of nausea or vomiting may appear. An irregular heart rate, difficulty swallowing or losing the ability to control bladder and bowel functions could also develop.
Our arms, feet, and legs can develop numbness, pain, and weakness at any time, but the longer poor habits dominate our lives, the greater the risk becomes as we approach the ripe old age of 40 and above. Living a healthier life can at least help prevent further damage to our nerves, while no one can say to what extent the body would be able to recover from the damage that has already occurred. There are a number of different nonpharmacological treatment approaches that have been shown to be helpful in managing the health of our nerves, but each of these suggestions MUST be coordinated with your physician when taking any prescription medications.
Nonpharmacological Options Studied for Peripheral Neuropathy
Alpha Lipoic Acid: There are studies suggesting that taking supplements of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), an antioxidant that protects microcirculation to the nerves, may enhance the body’s ability to better control blood sugar levels especially for those who have diabetes. There is no established dose but dosages ranged up to 1,200 mg per day for those with diabetes or neuropathy. 100 mg of ALA per day is a recommended initial dose, slowly increasing dosage as needed. 100 mg capsules ALA are available with TwinLab at vitacost.com for a reasonable price. Other brand names with higher capsule doses are also available.
In this 2009 Greek study from the Department of Internal Medicine, Polyliniki General Hospital, Athens, Greece, researchers stated the following conclusions: “The role of oxidative stress in nerve damage has been extensively studied in experimental and clinical diabetes. Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to improve motor-nerve conduction velocity in experimental diabetic neuropathy and to protect peripheral nerves from ischemia in rats.
Recently, trials have been conducted with neuropathic diabetes patients who received 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid. The treatment reduced pain, paresthesias, and numbness. Further studies are needed to determine the effectiveness of alpha-lipoic acid in reducing pain and/or preventing the progression of diabetic neuropathy.”
Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Neuropathy. Rev Diabet Stud. Winter 2009
Vitamin D: This vitamin also is needed to help manage nerve pain. Many Americans, particularly seniors, are deficient in this critical vitamin as it is the sunshine vitamin that the body cannot make when sunscreen is applied to the skin. A deficiency of this vitamin could contribute to neuropathy pain. Vitamin D is an immune modulator that is able to help calm the immune system when it is overacting. A deficiency of vitamin D – lower than 30 ng/ml has been linked to increased vulnerability to autoimmunity and infections. Taking a supplement of vitamin D3, 2,000 IU per day would boost blood levels of vitamin D above 50 ng/ml may offer additional protection from symptoms of neuropathy. Garden of Life Vitamin D3 containing 2,000 mg per capsule is available at vitacost.com at a reasonable price.
The Dr. Cynthia Aranow, Feinstein Institute of Medical Research, Manhasset, N.Y. published a 2011 study concluding: “Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in autoimmune disease. Cells of the immune system are capable of synthesizing and responding to vitamin D. Immune cells in autoimmune diseases are responsive to the ameliorative effects of vitamin D suggesting that the beneficial effects of supplementing vitamin D deficient individuals with autoimmune disease may extend beyond effects on bone and calcium homeostasis.”
Vitamin D and the Immune System. J Investig Med. August 2011
More recently, Chinese researchers in 2017 wrote these conclusions: “This meta-analysis indicates that vitamin D deficiency is associated with the generation and development of DPN [diabetic peripheral neuropathy] in Caucasian with T2DM, and in Asian, diabetic patients with vitamin D deficiency are 1.22 times to suffer from DPN compared with normal vitamin D level. Vitamin D supplementation is urgently needed to prevent the development of DPN in T2DM.”
The association between vitamin D level and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: An update systematic review and meta-analysis. J Clin Transl Endocrinol. September 2017
Capsaicin: Capsaicin is a phytochemical found in cayenne, hot peppers which are available as a ground spice. The heat produced by capsaicin dilates blood vessels, helping to increase blood flow. This can help to decrease the intensity of pain signals that are sent throughout the body. It is currently used in topical creams to help relieve neuropathy pain. Using the spice cayenne with your meals and applying it as a topical ready-made cream onto painful areas could also help with pain management due to neuropathy. Organic ground cayenne pepper is reasonably priced with vitacost.com
A 2012 Danish study concluded: “Capsaicin administered topically, intradermally, or orally has proven to produce complex effects but remains a reliable and reproducible way to investigate peripheral and central mechanisms underlying certain hypersensitivities. In addition, we have discussed how it may also be a useful treatment of certain pain states, including neuropathies.”
Unraveling the Mystery of Capsaicin: A Tool to Understand and Treat Pain. Pharmacological Reviews. October 2012
Turmeric/Curcumin: By eliminating the primary cause of the neuropathy, some nerve fibers may be able to slowly regenerate if the nerve cell itself retains some life. Curcumin is an anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial phytochemical with analgesic properties that reduces pain and inflammation when used in the spice turmeric or curry. Turmeric is able to cool dendritic nerve cells which are central activators of inflammation that modify immune system responses.
In a 2017 the University of Central Michigan study, researchers concluded: “Curcumin has received worldwide attention for its multiple health benefits, which appear to act primarily through its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory mechanisms. These benefits are best achieved when curcumin is combined with agents such as piperine [black pepper], which increase its bioavailability significantly. Research suggests that curcumin can help in the management of oxidative and inflammatory conditions, metabolic syndrome, arthritis, anxiety, and hyperlipidemia. It may also help in the management of exercise-induced inflammation and muscle soreness, thus enhancing recovery and subsequent performance in active people. In addition, a relatively low dose can provide health benefits for people that do not have diagnosed health conditions.”
Curcumin: A Review of Its’ Effects on Human Health. Foods. October 2017
Taking a daily supplement of a curcumin/turmeric may offer some relief. In a 2014 Chinese study, researchers concluded: “Findings of the present study indicated that the anti-nociceptive [pain blocking] effect of curcumin on neuropathic pain resulted from peripheral nerve injury. These results are in agreement with previous studies. Our results showed that curcumin attenuated thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia in a dose-dependent manner. Thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia were attenuated with the treatment of 40 and 60 mg/kg curcumin. However, 20 mg/kg curcumin exerted no significant analgesic effect.”
Curcumin Alleviates Neuropathic Pain by Inhibiting p300/CBP Histone Acetyltransferase Activity-Regulated Expression of BDNF and Cox-2 in a Rat Model. PLoS One. March 2014
Two capsules daily of organic India turmeric formula containing 740 mg of organic turmeric, 100 mg of organic ginger, and 160 mg of turmeric extract 95% curcuminoids is another supplement with the potential to improve symptoms caused by peripheral neuropathy. This supplement is reasonably priced with vitacost.com
But studies have also been done showing quick relief of neuropathic pain when dietary habits were changed to plant-based, whole foods. Listen to Dr. Michael Greger’s 5:29 minute video explaining the powerful and dramatic results of a vegetarian diet:
Curing Painful Diabetic Neuropathy
Michael Greger M.D. FACLM April 29th, 2016
“Diabetics suffering from nerve pain for years are cured within days with a plant-based diet.”
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/curing-painful-diabetic-neuropathy/
There is a lot of research going on investigating the health benefits of the spice turmeric/curcumin. Here’s a 2:55 minute video by Dr. Greger describing what they are finding:
Turmeric Curcumin for Prediabetes
Michael Greger M.D. FACLM January 15th, 2016
“A randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled trial on the use of the turmeric pigment curcumin to prevent diabetes in prediabetics is published with extraordinary results.”
https://nutritionfacts.org/video/turmeric-curcumin-for-prediabetes/
Even the way you bath may offer a way to help reduce pain due to peripheral neuropathy. Taking a warm bath either with Epsom salt or better yet, salts derived from Israel’s Dead Sea can alleviate pain by soaking your entire body in warm water not hot enough to burn the skin. The warm water temperature increases blood circulation throughout the body, helping to overcome any pain due to numbness. Dead Sea salts also contain the minerals magnesium, potassium, bromide, chloride, and sodium which help to relax feelings of stress. Use about a cup in a warm bath and enjoy soaking for 10 to 15 minutes, while listening to
relaxing music if possible. These Dead Sea bath salts are available from T.J. Maxx and contain either eucalyptus oil or argan oil in the bath salts. Or you can order them from vitacost.com for reasonably priced Dead Sea salts. Your skin will truly feel softer and much differently after soaking and bathing than you’ve felt in a long time. German researchers in 2005 published the conclusions of their study writing: “Skin hydration was enhanced on the forearm treated with the Dead Sea salt in each group, which means the treatment moisturized the skin. Skin roughness and redness of the skin as a marker for inflammation were significantly reduced after bathing in the salt solution. This demonstrates that bathing in the salt solution was well tolerated, improved skin barrier function, enhanced stratum corneum hydration, and reduced skin roughness and inflammation. We suggest that the favorable effects of bathing in the Dead Sea salt solution are most likely related to the high magnesium content. Magnesium salts are known to bind water, influence epidermal proliferation and differentiation, and enhance permeability barrier repair”
Bathing in a magnesium-rich Dead Sea salt solution improves skin barrier function, enhances skin hydration, and reduces inflammation in atopic dry skin. International Journal of Dermatology. March 2005
Dr. Joel Salinas, a neurologist at Harvard-affiliated MGH, strongly recommends the adaption of dietary and lifestyle habits to improve overall health as well as the health of our brain.
“Each habit has a big effect the longer you practice it.”
Additional goals for minimizing inflammation and optimizing overall health:
Make Mediterranean meals your primary dietary choices with lots of EVOO to manage weight, while reducing chronic inflammation. EVOO is an anti-inflammatory good fat that helps regulate inflammation, blood glucose, and successful weight management.
Omega-3 fatty acids have been linked in the development and maintenance of healthy nerves and could be beneficial for promoting the health of peripheral nerves. Eat fatty, wild fish such as salmon and sardines packed in EVOO as good sources of omega-3 fatty acids. DHA and EPA are two types of highly effective anti-inflammatory omega-3 fats that are best obtained from wild fish, but a good omega-3 supplement could also be helpful for reducing chronic inflammation by initially taking 340 mg of EPA and 510 mg of DHA with every teaspoon. This cod liver oil must remain refrigerated for storage once the bottle is opened. It too can be ordered for a reasonable price from vitacost.com. Always check with your doctor before taking, especially if you are on prescription medications.
Brazilian researchers in 2017 published these conclusions of their study writing:
“These results point to the regenerative and possibly protective properties of a combined EPA and DHA oral administration after peripheral nerve injury, as well as its anti-neuroinflammatory activity, evidencing ω-3 PUFAs promising therapeutic outcomes for NP [neuropathic pain] treatment.”
Long-Chain Omega-3 Fatty Acids Supplementation Accelerates Nerve Regeneration and Prevents Neuropathic Pain Behavior in Mice. Front Pharmacol. October 2017
Use lots of herbs & spices when preparing meals: garlic, turmeric, ground cloves, ginger, nutmeg, cinnamon, oregano, basil. These spices are a bounty of anti-inflammatory, antioxidants that help to build a shield of inflammatory protection from damaging free radicals.
Exercise regularly as best you can. Exercise as many days each week as you can. Sessions should initially last 10 to 15 minutes using aerobic and strength training routines. The more you can train your body to exercise regularly, the better off you’ll feel in the long run.
Get your personal BMI (body mass index) somewhere between 18.5 and 24.9; ideal, 21 – 23. This goal is highly dependent upon your dietary habits.
Get your blood tested for hs-CRP (high sensitivity C – reactive protein). This will inform you precisely how much systemic inflammation your blood is carrying around. The goal for this biomarker is to have your level of inflammation less than 1.0 mg/L to reduce pain as well as the risk of heart disease. Again, dietary habits are extremely important to accomplish this goal. Mediterranean dietary habits are anti-inflammatory.
Get 7 to 8 hours of sound sleep each night.
Socialize with family and friends in positive ways. Positive thoughts and actions are fertilization for a happy heart that is less stressed.
Manage stress – daily meditation/yoga/tai chi have all been shown to be powerfully effective to still the mind and effectively manage daily stress, improving pain management while creating a life of tranquility and compassion.
Lifestyle habits are defensive strategies for prevention as well as for improving health that has degraded. Neuropathy often occurs after years of long-term surges and crashes of blood sugar levels brought about by the standard American diet. Managing blood sugar levels is primarily dependent upon dietary habits which will help prevent symptoms of neuropathy from degrading further. While natural strategies are preferred over pharmacological approaches, you should ALWAYS coordinate your choices with your doctor. Do not stop any prescription drugs without first consulting with your doctor, and consult with your doctor before mixing supplements with medications. At the same time consider these suggestions as potential ways to improve your health when coordinating with your doctor.
Posted Yesterday by Nature's Real Health
https://naturesrealhealth.blogspot.com/2019/01/another-look-at-peripheral-neuropathy.html
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