Peripheral Neuropathy Diet

There are many foods that aggravate peripheral neuropathy. Foods like gluten, refined grains, added sugar, saturated fat, and alcohol can all cause damage to peripheral nerves.

Gluten: If you have a gluten allergy, celiac disease, consumption of gluten can trigger or worsen your symptoms. Common sources of gluten include all food containing white, wheat, cake, or baking flour. Look for products that are labeled gluten-free in order to reduce your gluten intake. Refined grains also have a high glycemic index, meaning that they may have a dramatic impact on your blood sugar. Elevated blood sugars can worsen your neuropathy. Being able to control your blood sugar is the #1 strategy to prevent neuropathy associated with diabetes. To improve the glycemic effects of your diet, replace all refined grains with whole grains or limit the amount of grains that you take. Added sugars can also worsen neuropathy symptoms. They add flavor, but few nutrients. Nutritional deficiencies can also lead to neuropathy symptoms. Choose nutritious foods, like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to add to your diet. Avoid any high fructose refined sugars. Alcohol can also cause damage to peripheral nerves. Avoid excessive consumption of alcohol.Dietary supplements can also be used to reduce and halt the progression of neuropathy. B complex, alpha lipoic acid, vitamin E, and omega 6 fatty acids, vitamin D3 and Co-Enzyme-Q 10 have all been shown to improve peripheral neuropathy. I recommend that you take one B100 B complex vitamin daily. The B vitamins are necessary for normal nerve function and supplementing them is a good preventative measure. Do not take more than 200 mg of vitamin B6, as higher daily doses can actually cause symptoms of neuropathy. Alpha lipoic acid should also be taken daily. I recommend 100 mg every day. This antioxidant protects the micro circulation of the nervous system, especially in the peripheral nerves. You can gradually increase the dose up to 300 mg twice a day over the next four weeks. Lipoic acid is a fatty acid and also acts as an antioxidant. It works by helping to turn blood sugar into energy. Most healthy people have an adequate amount of fatty acid in the cells in their body, but in people with diabetes, the levels of alpha lipoic acid may be low. Low levels of lipoic acid have been shown to contribute to diabetic neuropathy. Vitamin E is also a vitamin that may be helpful for peripheral neuropathy. Vitamin E deficiency is uncommon, except for in cases of intestinal malabsorption or malnutrition. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids have also been found to help reduce diabetic neuropathy pain. Vegetable oils, such as safflower oil, sunflower oil, and corn oils, which are high in omega 6, may be added to your diet. Omega 3 fatty acids found in fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, are also beneficial. Vitamin D3 deficiency is rampant in chronic pain patients. There is evidence that supplementation with D3 5000 units per day can replenish vitamin D levels and help to reduce pain. Co-Enzyme-Q 10 is an antioxidant that becomes reduced as we age. It is an antioxidant that is necessary for the cells to function properly. It helps to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system and blood pressure levels. The nervous system is sensitive to hypertension. Statin medications can reduce Co-Enzyme-Q 10 levels. Supplementation should start at 300 mg every day.

On your check list for neuropathy, dietary supplements should include B100 200 mg per day, alpha lipoic acid 100 mg per day, Omega 6 fatty acids, Vitamin D3 5000 units per day, Co-Enzyme-Q 10 300 mg per day. Avoid the following foods: Gluten, refined grains, added sugar, saturated fat, and alcohol.