Diabetic Neuropathy & Treatment

Neuropathy is the damage to the nerves and their normal function(s). Diabetic neuropathy is an insidious, progressive condition related in large part to the impaired circulation that most people with diabetes experience and diabetic neuropathy symptoms can be debilitating.

CAUSES OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

Impaired circulation brought on by diabetes causes inadequate delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the nerve tissues, especially in the legs, arms, hands and feet. And the nerves in these areas become damaged and gradually lose the ability to feel pain, temperature and touch.

Other factors, such as inflammation, glycation (the reaction of proteins with excess glucose), and the accumulation of a type of sugar called sorbitol also damage nerve cells and contribute to diabetic neuropathy symptoms.

SYMPTOMS OF DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

• Burning and/or Tingling Sensations (Needles & Pins feelings)

• Weakness or a lack of muscle control and coordination

• Loss of sensation in the feet or hands

• Impaired digestion

• Problems with urination
• Carpal tunnel syndrome
• Erectile Dysfunction for men
• Increased vulnerability to infection, especially in the feet

TREATING DIABETIC NEUROPATHY

There are no effective conventional treatments for diabetic neuropathy. However, there are nutrients that can help slow down, stop, and even reverse its progression (as well as one other alternative solution). Try these in addition to a potent, antioxidant-rich daily multivitamin.

• B vitamins. Patients suffering with diabetic neuropathy are usually deficient in B-complex vitamins.
  • Take daily 1,500 mcg of Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin),

• Take daily 150 mg of Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) helps prevent diabetes-related damage to the nerves, blood vessels, kidneys and eyes.
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• Take daily 150–450 mg of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) in the form of Benfotiamine, which is a fat-soluble, highly absorbable form of Vitamin B1. It reduces diabetic pain and improve nerve conduction velocity.

• Alpha lipoic acid: Take 600–1,200 mg per day. It is an extraordinary antioxidant that alleviates the diabetic pain, burning sensation, numbness and other symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.

• Fish oil. Take a daily dose ranging from 3,000 to 18,000 mg. It has no harmful effect on the blood glucose control as per the latest meta-analysis. It significantly improved triglyceride levels. Besides, Inflammation is a serious factor with diabetic neuropathy and fish oil has natural anti-inflammatory properties.

• Gamma linolenic acid (GLA): Take evening primrose oil at a starting dose of 500–1,500 mg per day. It is a fatty substance found in various plant seed oils such as Borage oil and Evening Primrose oil. People use it as medicine. It prevents the deterioration of diabetic neuropathy and, in some cases, even reverse the condition. Borage oil and Evening primrose oils are the best sources of GLA.

• Acetyl-l-carnitine: Take 500–1,000 mg per day. It improves nerve function, stimulates nerve fiber regeneration and relieves diabetic pain. Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid (a building block for proteins) that is naturally produced in the body. It helps the body produce energy. Acetyl-L-carnitine is used for a variety of mental disorders including Alzheimer’s disease, age-related memory loss, late-life Depression, thinking problems related to Alcoholism, and thinking problems related to Lyme Disease. It is also used for Down Syndrome, poor circulation in the Brain, Cataracts, Nerve pain due to Diabetes, nerve pain due to drugs used in the treatment of AIDS, and facial paralysis.