Neuropathy - reccomend vitamins & supplements

Fo

Well-Known Member
Messages
49
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi
I am considering trying to treat my neuropathy naturally, instead of waiting for the doctor to respond.
Can anyone reccomend what vitamins and supplements that I should try please? Many thanks
 

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Fo just seeing this now. Apologies for the delay in replying...

I and members of my diabetes support group have had good results taking 600 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid and a good quality, well balanced B-complex daily.

Magnesium is a good idea too because it's difficult to get enough of it from diet alone and it's one of the minerals that diabetes depletes. I take 300 to 450 mg of magnesium citrate a day.

I'd start with a daily dose of 100 or 150 mg magnesium a day and work up slowly to see what your bowels will tolerate. Magnesium glycinate is tolerated well by most people and doesn't cause loose or increased bowel movements.

I take a lot of other vitamins and minerals too, but the above is a good place to start.

I had mild neuropathy in the top of one foot so I continued taking the B-complex for 6 months to a year.

Eventually, I stopped the B-complex BUT continued taking a good quality multivitamin and mineral supplement that includes all the B vitamins and have been fine since that time, but I also eat nutritionally dense, low carb foods, use intermittent fasting, walk daily or every other day, and monitor my glucose levels closely.

If I'm under a lot of stress, I'm not eating as well as I should be, and my glucose levels begin to rise, and I notice changes in my feet, I resume taking the Alpha Lipoic Acid again (along with the B-vitamins in my multi vitamin and mineral formulation).

Hopefully, you'll notice changes in your neuropathy within the first 4 weeks. And I should add here, as the nerves heal, they can temporarily become more painful. The combination of ALA, B vitamins, and magnesium is magic stuff. Hope it works for you. I'd give it at least a 4 month trial.

If the above isn't helping at all in 4 weeks time, you may need to take a specific B12 as Juicetin suggests.

@Juicetin can you remind me why you're suggesting vitamin A? I take vitamin A (cod liver oil), D3, K2 (MK-7), and magnesium to help my body move calcium out of my arteries and into my bones. Does it help with neuropathy too? It's been a while since I've read the peripheral neuropathy threads here on the forum. I've forgotten... :(
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fo

Fo

Well-Known Member
Messages
49
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Thank you for your valuable advise. It is very helpful and I appreciate it. I will see how I get on and post an update x
 
  • Like
Reactions: Freema

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Fo here's a something I wrote a while back that might be helpful...

In this study, “Treatment with α-Lipoic Acid over 16 Weeks in Type 2 Diabetic Patients with Symptomatic Polyneuropathy Who Responded to Initial 4-Week High-Dose Loading” (2015), they used a loading dose of 600 mg of alpha lipoic acid three times a day, 30 minutes after each main meal for one week, then reduced the dosage to 600 mg once a day with good results...

https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jdr/2015/189857/

And here's another study, this one from 2017...

https://www.omicsonline.org/open-ac...tic-polyneuro-2161-1459-1000241.php?aid=91836

As for vitamin B12, not sure, but as I recall, there are at least three B vitamins that play a role in reversing neuropathy, so regardless of your B12 status, I still encourage the recommended daily B complex with the 600 mg alpha lipoic acid.

Additionally, you can be tested for a B12 deficiency, be within normal range, yet actually have a vitamin B12 deficiency. Confused? Learn more here... https://chriskresser.com/what-causes-neuropathy-and-how-to-treat-it/

As for your doctor telling you that your thyroid is fine...if you're symptom free, okay, but it you have any symptoms suggestive of a hypothyroid or hyperthyroid condition, I'd investigate further. Here in the USA, this is the website that I believe has the best information on the diagnosis and treatment of thyroid conditions... https://thyroidpharmacist.com/

My hope for you is that you'll be able to reverse your neuropathy. Best of luck to you. :)
 
Last edited:

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Contralto I think the original poster was trying to link to a supplement that he or she is currently taking:

02/0219 started taking cytoplan organic turmeric plus, blood glucose support and cyto renew
Blood sugars steady, low carb diet.
 

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Fo this interview just showed up in my mailbox. I'm listening to it now and it's quite good...

Thyroid Disease - Causes and Solutions with Dr. Eric Orsansky. It's available for free for about five more hours... https://www.naturalhealth365.com/free-show

I'm also familiar with this doctor's work and have his books. The interview provides a good overview of the root cause of thyroid conditions and how to treat it with specific dietary and other strategies. (I have sub clinical hyperthyroid so this is an ongoing issue for me too).

If you miss it, Dr. Orsansky has a new book out so you can probably find other recent interview with him on YouTube.com
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: Fo

BaliRob

Well-Known Member
Messages
596
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Other
Dislikes
Noisy dogs and loud music especially low-note drumming
DIABETIC NEUROPATHY is not discussed as much as eye problems and amputations, etc. I have had increasing Neuropathy over past 11 years and it has become almost impossible - I really wish I could have my toes, feet, lower legs, fingers, wrists and forearms to elbows AMPUTATED. There is not a moment that I am without pain and there is no known palliative care for Neuropathy in its EXTREME form. I take Vitamin B complex daily and 500 mg Magnesiun Citrate - God knows what will happen to me if those two items failed because I am also the
victim of extreme nocturnal leg cramps which affect both legs to the waist giving bowel movement and unconciousness. Fortunately, I take immediate action to stop the cramps but worry when I become too old (I am 79) what will be the outcome.

Much of the 'medicine' mentioned here which help some - is not available in many parts of the world especially S/E Asia.
 

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Fo I've been so focused on my diabetes, and the health of our diabetes group's members, I haven't gotten that far yet, but I've learned a little along the way...

Dr. Osansky talks about "triggers" and there are a number of them when discussing autoimmune thyroid conditions such as Hashimoto's (hypothyroid) and Graves (hyperthyroid).

If you listen to the interview I linked to previously - (I just checked and it's still available to listen to) - beginning at minute 14:45, he spends 2 minutes outlining "triggers":

food
- gluten
- sometimes dairy
infection
- pathogenic bacteria
- birellia
- lyme disease
- h. pylori
certain parasites
- blastofis hominus
viruses
- Epstein barr
chemicals
- BPA
heavy metals
- mercury
stress

Here's the link again to that interview... https://www.naturalhealth365.com/free-show

After you listen to the interview, and possibly take notes, you might want to dive into his material further by going to his website where he has both articles and a blog.

Here's an article that might be of interest to you... "Alpha Lipoic Acid and Thyroid Health"... https://www.naturalendocrinesolutions.com/articles/alpha-lipoic-acid-thyroid-health/

He also has a new book, Hashimoto's Triggers: Eliminate Your Thyroid Symptoms By Finding And Removing Your Specific Autoimmune Triggers (2018)... https://www.amazon.com/Hashimotos-T...8&qid=1549342863&sr=1-2&keywords=eric+osansky Perhaps another place to have a look around would be to read the reviews of this book. (I do that all the time. Have found some incredibly helpful books that way.)

When I was re-diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in February 2015 with an A1c of 9.9%, I was so scared. I wondered, how much damage have I done in the last 4 years. Previous to that I worked as an information resource specialist so I did for myself what I'd done for so many others who were experiencing a health crisis over a 12 year period.

I began asking questions and looking for answers.

My first question was how bad is an A1c of 9.9%? That led me to an article by a well respected diabetes blogger, David Mendoza. He shared how he'd come across and read the book, Dr. Berstein's Diabetes Solution, tried the diet outlined in that book, and got his A1c back to non-diabetic levels. That man gave me hope.

I got the book that day, started the low carb diet within three days, and a few days later found my way here to this forum where members supported me in working through all my fears as I continued on the diet and further refined my understanding and use of the diet. Within a month or two, can't remember exactly, I got an A1c of 5.6% then 5.4%. As far as my doctor was concerned, I no longer had diabetes. It's not that simple of course, I still have to follow the low carb ketogenic diet or the low carb diet to keep my insulin and glucose levels in check but it works.

Not long after I started the diet, I started eating the popular low carb bread "1 minute bun" made with ground flaxseed, butter, egg, baking soda, and something else. They were great and I had one daily. Within 3 weeks, another autoimmune condition I have, inflammatory bowel disease, flared. I'd conquered diabetes only to battle the IBD again. This would be my third flare in 25 years. I went back on the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD), a diet that had worked previously, but after 9 months I contacted my gastroenterologist and requested a colonoscopy. He feared I had colon cancer and got me in quickly for the colonoscopy. Good news: no cancer. Bad news: Fully inflamed colon. Good news: the colonoscopy prep flushed the build up of bad bacteria that had overpopulated my colon nine months earlier and I was in remission again within a few weeks. I've been fine ever since.

I do not have hypothryroid. I have a hyperthyroid condition referred to as subclinical hyperthyroid that can significantly worsen at any time, but hasn't...yet. It's next on my list to conquer, but I'm not there yet. I'm still working on keeping my diabetes in remission and I need to lose a minimum of 30 pounds. So right now I'm learning about how to layer fasting onto my low carbohydrate diet. And so far the results have been excellent. My other focus is on becoming a "foodie". I will have to follow a low carb diet for the rest of my life, and I want to make it as enjoyable as possible. You would laugh if you saw my pile of cookbooks.

So that brings me full circle back to you. I wish I could be that expert who could walk you through the process of restoring your health, but I can't. I can however give you the names of two experts who have proven themselves by helping many patients with Hashimotos: Eric Osanski and Izabella Wentz.

It's up to you now to dig in, do the research, start making the changes you can, and begin working toward getting the appropriate testing done that you need. It probably will take you years, but, only if you commit to learning everything you can and begin making changes with the guidance of proven experts and the support of others who share your diagnosis of hypothyroid or Hashimotos, it that's what you have. I don't know. You need to be tested to see if you have the antibodies to determine that.

You ask good questions. Keep doing that. I suggest you look at the websites of Osansky and Wentz, then buy one of their books, read it, get some answers, and begin plotting your course to restored health.

I wish restoring health was as simple as going to the doctor, getting a diagnosis and taking drugs. Doesn't work that way. Those who choose that path get sicker.

Getting better requires finding the root cause of all your conditions: the hypothyroid condition, prediabetes, and neuropathy. That's done by identifying and treating infections, eliminating foods that make your conditions worse, finding and eating the right foods for you, detoxing harmful heavy metals and toxins from your body, learning how to manage stress, learning how to improve the quality of your relationships, getting quality sleep, and building regular physical movement into your life. It takes time, often years, sometimes a decade or more, but each step of the way brings you closer to what we all want, vibrant health.
 
Last edited:

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Fo @Contralto apologies. I confused the two of you. I probably should delete my post but I don't want to because it took a couple of hours to write. Oh well. Perhaps someone will find it helpful... [laughing at myself]... Best of luck to you Fo. Contralto, good to see you again on the forum. I'm sure we'll bump into one another again. Take care.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Juicetin

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
@Contralto this showed up in my mailbox today. Dr. Osborne is an excellent teacher. In this presentation, he discusses the many contributors to yeast overgrowth which can knock the microbiome out of balance.

Interesting. At minute 46:56 he states that yeast overgrowth can contribute to hypothyroidism.

 
Last edited:

Winnie53

BANNED
Messages
2,374
Type of diabetes
Type 2
Treatment type
Diet only
After listening to Dr. Osborne's presentation, I surveyed all his other videos. Oh my gosh, I have been looking for a free, comprehensive source of information on finding the "root cause" of many chronic diseases, which is a functional medicine approach, and Dr. Osborne is laying it out, accurately, and very understandably for the patient. I can't begin to tell you what a gift this is to those of us with diabetes and autoimmune conditions.

For anyone who wants to know how to treat chronic disease with the functional medicine approach of addressing the root cause of disease, not just treating the symptoms of disease - (using medication only as needed) - Dr. Osborne's videos are an excellent beginning...
 
  • Like
Reactions: Fo

SimonCrox

Well-Known Member
Messages
317
Hi,
It is useful that your GP has checked B12 and thyroid levels - it would be silly to miss something so treatable; although once established, it is not generally possible to reverse the nerve damage, but one can ameliorate the pains.

Vitamin D is important - cross-sectional studies show that neuropathy is associated with low vitamin D levels, and one paper showed benefit for the pain (but this study was uncontrolled).

Studies have shown benefit from 600 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid per day; I have proven B12 and Vit D deficiency so I take 1 mg hydroxycobalamin each 3 months IM ( since I have a proper deficiency, I am going for decent treatment - I give the IM jab myself - easier than going to GP) and 800 u cholecalciferol capsules each day and these stopped my neuropathy progressing. I take the 600 mg Alpha Lipoic Acid per day since this is the dose in one review that balanced benefit and side effects - I can take big capsules etc but these are rather massive and next time I will get the 300 mg capsules (two per day)

The management of the pain of neuropathy with drugs is fiddly, and is a case of trial and error, despite several classes of useful drugs.

Best wishes
 

Juicetin

Well-Known Member
Messages
350
Type of diabetes
Prediabetes
Treatment type
Diet only
Hi Simon, do you take R-ALA or the racemic R/S-ALA variety?
The price of R-ALA has risen dramatically in the UK due to exchange rate, however the racemic variety is still widely available competitively priced, although it's effectiveness is supposed to be questionable.