Nutrition: Healing the Nerves from the Inside Out
We use nutritional supplements to increase our success rate in the treatment of Peripheral Neuropathy. We have been very gratified by the addition of this modality in the treatment of our patients. Approximately 70% of our patients that begin nutritional supplements, which actually help the nerves repair and regenerate, are able to discontinue their prescription medications. Some of the supplements we recommend include: L-Arginine, Benfotiamine, Magnesium, Acetyl-L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid. We base our use of these supplements on clinical studies that have shown widespread success and nerve regeneration.
We recommend that you keep your sugar down: This is the 500 pound gorilla. If you don’t keep your sugar controlled nothing else seems to help. Your goal is below 150 and preferably below 120.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine This supplement has been shown in studies to improve nerve density, nerve conduction, vibration perception and significantly decreased pain scores in patients. It also helps nerve fiber regeneration in the skin. This supplement works for patients with diabetes-related Neuropathy and chemotherapy-induced Peripheral Neuropathy.
Benfotiamine This is a bio-available form of thiamine. Thiamine is a vitamin critical in nerve metabolism. Patients with diabetes have as significant increase in urinary excretion of thiamine. In relatively large studies patients who took this supplement experience significant decrease in their diabetic neuropathy symptoms in less than a month. Also, increases in nerve function were noted in these patients.
Alpha lipoic acid This supplement delays or reverses Diabetic Neuroapthy due to its powerful antioxidant properties. This actually helps the nerve regenerate.
Methylcobalamine This supplement when used in association with some of the other supplements has also shown a significant improvement in nerve function, nerve conduction studies and pain decreases.
Magnesium This supplement is used mainly for pain control. If you don’t have pain, you don’t need to take this supplement. However, it won’t hurt as most older Americans are Magnesium deficitent to some degree.
L-Arginine This supplement increases microcirculation and the blood supply to the nerve.
N-acetyl Cysteine This supplement is a very potent anti-oxidant to help prevent nerve damage and increase energy to the nerve.
Others: Vitamin C Vitamin E Selenium Vitamin B Complex
Videos
How Dietary Supplements Can Help with Neuropathy
Reducing Neuropathy Discomfort with Alpha Lipoic Acid
L Arginine: Supplement to Help Relieve Neuropathy Symptoms
How Acetyl L Carnitine Helps Treat Neuropathy
How Benfotiamine Helps Treat Neuropathy
ALWAYS CHECK WITH YOUR PRIMARY CARE DOCTOR BEFORE STARTING ANY SUPPLEMENTS TO ENSURE COMPATIBILITY WITH CURRENT MEDICATIONS.
