But it is also a powerful antioxidant, neutralizing harmful free radicals that damage cells.

While your body makes its own ALA, you may need an extra boost if you suffer from neuropathy.

Neuropathy is a common complication of chronic diabetes. It usually begins in the feet and toes.

Alpha-lipoic acid can decrease insulin resistance thereby reducing symptoms like pain, tingling, and prickling in the feet and legs.

Now, oxidative stress and free radicals caused by excessive glucose metabolism are associated with the development of diabetic complications.

The end result is that they cause changes in myelin, the protective layer around your nerve tissue.

The good news is that Alpha-lipoic acid is also known to be a scavenger of certain free radicals so you’re basically getting 2 benefits related to peripheral neuropathy:

Controlling insulin and blood sugar level and getting rid of the free radicals and oxidative stress.

Now, it is important to note that as we age, the amount of natural Alpha lipoic acid produced internally in the body decreases so taking a supplement is essential.

So how much do you need to take?

In most cases, taking just 600 mg each day of Alpha Lipoic acid will help to reduce Neuropathy symptoms. You need to take it for at least 2-3 weeks in order to start seeing results.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your neuropathy? Check out my Neuropathy Revolution program 

The post Does alpha-lipoic acid help with neuropathy? first appeared on Mark Fellers' Neuropathy And Nerve Pain Blog.

There can be multiple causes to neuropathy. The main one being diabetes which can damage nerves mostly in the extremities.

But a deficiency of specific types of vitamins can also lead to peripheral neuropathy.

Vitamins such as B1, B6, B12 deficiencies may lead to neuropathy, however, B12 deficiency is the most common one.

All of the vitamins mentioned above can easily get absorbed through the gut except for Vitamin B12.

You see, vitamin B-12 helps produce a substance called myelin which is a protective coating that shields the nerves and helps them transmit sensations.

Without this coating, nerves can become damaged.

The absorption of vitamin B12 requires a complex mechanism, which doesn’t always work optimally.

Food sources of Vitamin B12 include poultry, meats and eggs. That is why vegans are often deficient in B12.

Now, the most common indications of a lack of vitamin B12 are numbness and tingling along with an unsteady way of walking.

Several factors can cause vitamin B12 deficiency including the excessive use of antacid drugs or medications which interfere with proper stomach acid production, deficiency of intrinsic factor and reduced stomach acidity.

Intrinsic factor is a protein secreted by the stomach which enables the body to absorb vitamin B12.

Diets that lack eggs or meats, including vegetarian diets, provide less amounts of vitamin B12 than the body needs.

B12 supplements usually do not need acidic conditions in the stomach to be processed properly,  however, they do require an uptake mechanism as well as an intrinsic factor.

If either of these two factors are lacking in a person, they will have to take Vitamin B12 injections.

B12 deficiencies are detected through blood tests, with the normal range being from 250 to 950.

If your level falls below 350 then you need to take around 1000 mcg of vitamin B12 each day.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your neuropathy? Check out my Neuropathy Revolution program 

The post What is the best vitamin for peripheral neuropathy? first appeared on Mark Fellers' Neuropathy And Nerve Pain Blog.

If you plan on taking supplements then there are specific ones that you should focus on.

There are tremendous benefits to taking certain supplements. They can stop neuropathy from progressing and can alleviate pain and other symptoms involved with this condition.

Here’s a list of supplements that everyone should take regardless of the exact type of neuropathy they have:

Acetyl-L-carnitin:

This powerful antioxidant is vital to brain and muscle movement.

It protects nerve fibers and supports the growth of nerve cells. Its ability to reduce pain and support peripheral nerves makes it a must for people suffering with diabetic neuropathy. I would recommend starting with 500mg a day but don’t go beyond 2,000mg.

Alpha-lipoic acid

This is an antioxidant that can aid with neuropathic pain, numbness, tingling or burning sensations.

ALA manages blood sugar levels and supports the health of blood vessels that are linked to nerves. I recommend at least 300mg a day.

Vitamin B-12

This type of B vitamin supports red blood cells and DNA formation but with regards to your nerves,  it helps to  maintain the myelin sheath that encapsulates the nerve fibers without which no messages or signaling can be sent throughout your nervous system.

Taking B12 can not only reduce pain from damaged nerves but is extremely important for the entire nervous system.

Vitamin B-6

Vitamin B6 forms chemicals that are responsible for nerve communicate and signaling. It also aids in myelin sheath formation. I recommend 1,000mcg (1mg),  a day, under the tongue for faster absorption(sublingual).

Benfotiamine

High blood sugar levels in the body can damage your nerves causing all kinds of symptoms including pain and numbness.

Benfotiamine can prevent that damage by blocking the effect of high sugar level in your blood.

It can also protect the brain against oxidative stress or harmful free radicals thus preventing brain and peripheral nerve damage.

I recommend between 400-600mg a day.

Biotin (Vitamin B-7)

Biotin supports healthy blood sugar levels by controlling how much insulin is released from the pancreas.

It is especially important if you’re dealing with diabetic neuropathy. I recommend 100mcg a day.

But supplements alone are never the answer. They are there to provide support. Combine other methods such as a healthy diet and exercise. These too can benefit the nervous system.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your neuropathy? Check out my Neuropathy Revolution program 

The post Which supplements should you take for diabetic neuropathy first appeared on Mark Fellers' Neuropathy And Nerve Pain Blog.

The nervous system can’t survive without a healthy mix of complex B vitamins.

Thiamine or Vitamin B1, is essential to healthy nerves and enough thiamine in the system is essential to reversing Neuropathy symptoms.

It can be found in gluten-free grains like corn and sorghum (and most pseudo-grains like quinoa and buckwheat), red meat, egg yolks, berries, and some nuts.

Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) is also an important vitamin when it comes to beating Neuropathy.

It is used to convert niacin and vitamin B6 in the body for healthier nerves.

Where can you find riboflavin? In whole grains (gluten-free, of course), eggs, and meats like beef, pork, and chicken and legumes like chickpeas.

Niacin (Vitamin B3) and Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) are two more B vitamins necessary for nervous system health and maintenance. They can be found in organ meats (like liver),fish, and legumes.

When it comes to protecting the Myelin that protects the nerve fibers, you need to make sure that you get enough Vitamin B12.

Remember, it is this layer of Myelin that protects nerves from damage and also helps conduction happen. To get the right amount of B12 in your diet, be sure to eat plenty of liver, poultry, and egg yolks.

Women know the importance of folic acid (folate or vitamin b9) when it comes to supporting healthy brain and nerve function.

It is so important, that pregnant women are given folic acid supplements to ensure that their babies do not develop any neural tube defects.

Be sure to eat liver and green vegetables to get the folic acid necessary for nerve cells to heal and rejuvenate properly.

Need guidance on how to control and manage your neuropathy? Check out my Neuropathy Revolution program

The post Which vitamin deficiency can cause neuropathy? first appeared on Mark Fellers' Neuropathy And Nerve Pain Blog.