Today's post from chiroeco.com (see link below) looks at the value of nutrition and nutrition supplements in helping to control the worst aspects of neuropathy. Either used together with pain medications (as mentioned below) or separately, there are certain nutrients, vitamins and minerals that will help restore nerve function. However, just as with drugs, there are no cures here, just options to help your system stay as healthy as possible. Worth a read but bear in mind that the cost of these things can be high.
Research supports nutritional remedies for a common diabetic ailment.
by Terry Lemerond
Pins and needles. A burning that begins in the feet and legs and progresses to the arms. An unpleasant crawling sensation that travels under the skin. Stabbing, intense leg pain that keeps one awake at night. The symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can develop suddenly or progress slowly, sometimes over years. Neuropathy is the most common complication of diabetes, affecting 50 percent of patients with Type 1 or 2.1
Prescription drugs, including anti-depressants, anti-seizure medications, pain relievers, and anti-nausea drugs are used in the treatment of neuropathy. But none of them result in repairing delicate blood vessels and nerve endings or helping the body learn to properly metabolize sugar again. Fortunately, nutrition research has found that along with lifestyle choices, specific nutrients can relieve — and even reverse — the symptoms and causes of neuropathy.
Bioactive B vitamins
B vitamins are crucial for blood sugar metabolism and proper nerve function. Inadequate or deficient levels of B vitamins are often noted in patients with diabetes. Replenishing this vitamin not only improves blood sugar control but also reduces inflammatory homocysteine levels and relieves the pain of neuropathy.
Clinical effects in neuropathy treatment may be improved with the use of the active forms of specific B vitamins, which do not require conversion into a usable form by the liver. Pyridoxal-5'-phosphate (vitamin B6), methylcobalamin (vitamin B12), and folate (vitamin B9) are examples of B vitamins in their active forms.
A study of epidermal nerve fiber density in patients with Type 2 diabetes treated with an oral combination of vitamin B9, B12, and B6 reported that nearly 75 percent of patients showed an increase in nerve fiber density, and slightly more than 80 percent of patients experienced reduced frequency and intensity of burning, tingling, and abnormal sensitivity to touch.2
Benfotiamine is a fat-soluble form of vitamin B1 that is retained in the body at five times the concentrations of standard water-soluble thiamine. A scientific study at the University of Florida College of Medicine showed that benfotiamine prevented glucose toxicity and brought elevated blood sugar levels down to normal.3
This form of vitamin B1 has also been clinically proven to reduce pain and complications of diabetic neuropathy, the “pins and needles” and “tingling” sensation that people with diabetes may feel in their feet and legs.
In a Serbian clinical study, patients with diabetes were treated with a combination of benfotiamine and vitamin B6 for 45 days. At the end of the study, just over 85 percent of the patients reported a significant reduction in overall pain. Hyperpathia (pain due to the loss of muscle fibers) was also reduced from 90 percent of patients to around 30 percent. The researchers felt that these results “confirmed that benfotiamine was a good starting choice for the treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy.”4
Chelated minerals
Chromium is essential for blood sugar metabolism. It activates insulin receptors, helping prevent the buildup of glucose in the bloodstream. In one clinical study, individuals taking chromium reduced their fasting blood glucose level from an average of 197 to 103 in just three months, and their triglyceride and LDL cholesterol numbers were brought down to healthier levels as well.5
Zinc stabilizes pancreatic storage of insulin and inhibits oxidative stress that promotes insulin resistance and diabetes. Research published in Diabetes, Obesity, and Metabolism reported that reduced zinc levels in the pancreas are associated with diabetes, and proper amounts of this mineral tend to keep insulin levels on an even keel.6,7
Although many forms of minerals are available as supplements, amino acid chelated forms are more easily and efficiently used by the body. The bonding of a mineral to the amino acid glycine creates a mineral form that passes through the intestinal wall and is incorporated into the blood stream more efficiently.
Blood sugar lowering nutrients
Alpha lipoic acid can boost levels of glutathione to protect delicate nerves from oxidative damage. In a review by researchers at Oregon State University, the evidence shows that alpha lipoic acid
(ALA) fights diabetic neuropathy by helping to normalize the muscles’ blood sugar intake, which reduces the pain and tingling of peripheral nerves. Other laboratory research published in Diabetes found that ALA reversed markers of diabetic neuropathy and improved peripheral nerve function.8,9
Boswellia (Boswellia serrata) is one of nature’s most powerful anti-inflamma- tory medicines. It is a specific inhibitor of 5-LOX, an enzyme that activates inflammation-inducing leukotrienes. One of the biggest challenges for people with diabetes and nerve damage is the pain and inflammation that accompany the condition.10,11
The most active and beneficial of the boswellic acids is known as AKBA (acetyl-11-keto-?-boswellic acid). However, not all boswellia extracts are equally beneficial. For example: In unstandardized boswellia products, AKBA levels can be quite low — sometimes as small as 1 percent. To make sure you get the best product, look for boswellia standardized to at least 10 percent AKBA. Additionally, unstandardized boswellia contains a pro-inflammatory compound called beta boswellic acid (BBA), which must be reduced to less than 5 percent for optimal effectiveness.
Heal naturally
There is a growing awareness of the benefits of nutrients for slowing or reversing disease.
For example: Following the clinical trial published in Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, researchers concluded that micronutrients, including B1, B2, B6, B12, folate, and zinc could “ameliorate diabetic neuropathy symptoms.”12 These interventions are starting to garner wider acceptance as linchpins for effective treatment protocols.
The damage done by elevated blood sugar levels (as seen with Type 2 diabetes) happens over time. The disease is not always noticed at first. But through a sensible exercise regimen, disciplined eating habits, and well-guided use of nutrient ingredients, the pain, numbness, and tingling of neuropathy can be overcome.
Terry Lemerond is a natural health expert with more than 40 years’ experience. He has owned health food stores, founded dietary supplement companies, and formulated more than 400 products. A published author, he appears on radio, television and is a frequent guest speaker. He can be contacted through europharmausa.com. References
1Quan D, Lin HC, Khardori R, et al. Diabetic Neuropathy: Practice Essentials. Medscape. emedicine.medscape.com/article/1170337-overview. Updated May 29, 2013. Accessed June 17, 2014.
2Jacobs AM, Cheng D. Management of diabetic small-fiber neuropathy with combination L-methylfolate, methylcobalamin, and pyridoxal 5'-phosphate. Rev Neurol Dis. 2011;8(1-2):39-47.
3Oh SH, et al. Detection of transketolase in bone marrow-derived insulin-producing cells: benfotiamine enhances insulin synthesis and glucose metabolism. Stem Cells Dev. 2009;18(1):37-46.
4Nikoli? A, Kacar A, Lavrni? D, Basta I, Apostolski S. The effect of benfothiamine in the therapy of diabetic polyneuropathy. Srp Arh Celok Lek. 2009;137(11-12):594–600.
5Sharma S, Agrawal RP, Choudhary M, Jain S, Goyal S, Agarwal V. Beneficial effect of chromium supplementation on glucose, HbA(1)C and lipid variables in individuals with newly onset type-2 diabetes. J Trace Elem Med Biol. E-pub ahead of print; May 11, 2011.
6Wijesekara N, Chimienti F, Wheeler MB. Zinc, a regulator of islet function and glucose homeostasis. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2009;11 Suppl 4:202-14.
7Senapati A. Zinc deficiency and the prolonged accumulation of zinc in wounds. Br J Surg. 1985;72(7):583-4.
8Shay KP, Moreau RF, Smith EJ, Smith AR, Hagen TM. Alpha-lipoic acid as a dietary supplement: molecular mechanisms and therapeutic potential. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2009;1790(10):1149-60.
9Kishi Y, Schmelzer JD, Yao JK, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid: effect on glucose uptake, sorbitol pathway, and energy metabolism in experimental diabetic neuropathy. Diabetes. 1999;48(10):2045-51.
10Ammon HP. Boswellic acids in chronic inflammatory diseases. Planta Med. 2006;72(12):1100-16.
11Poeckel D, Tausch L, Altmann A, Induction of central signalling pathways and select functional effects in human platelets by beta-boswellic acid. Br J Pharmacol. 2005;146(4):514-24
12Farvid MS, et al. Improving neuropathy scores in type 2 diabetic patients using micronutrients supplementation. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011;93(1):86-94.
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