Should I Be Taking Supplements for Neuropathy? A Podiatrist Perspective

Neuropathy pain isn’t fun. The burning, tingling feeling in your hands and feet (or wherever you experience neuropathy symptoms) can interfere with your daily life. For some, neuropathy symptoms are mild, but others deal with chronic neuropathy pain daily. 

So, how do you get rid of it? Well, you can’t. Not really. As of now, there is no cure for neuropathy. Treatment for neuropathy focuses more on managing symptoms rather than treating the cause. Physical therapy and some prescription medications can be used to reduce neuropathy symptoms and pain. 

But what about natural supplements for treating neuropathy? Numerous research has been conducted on natural ingredients for treating certain medical conditions, including neuropathy. Natural supplements are preferable over prescription medications which can be costly and potentially cause harmful side effects or addiction. 

But do natural supplements work for neuropathy or are they overrated? Keep reading to learn about 5 natural supplements that may help control your neuropathy symptoms.

Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant that’s produced naturally by your body. You can also get it from some foods such as spinach and broccoli. In clinical trials, ALA given in oral or intravenous doses of 600 mg per day reduced neuropathy pain in subjects by 50%. 

ALA may help treat neuropathy symptoms by fighting free radicals and preventing oxidative stress that can damage nerve cells. ALA also helps to control blood sugar levels and support blood vessel health. It may be especially helpful in treating diabetic neuropathy for this reason. 

The standard dose for ALA is 300-600 mg daily. However, a daily dosage of at least 600 mg is recommended for best results with treating neuropathic pain.

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Acetyl-l-carnitine is made in your kidneys and liver. It’s an amino acid and antioxidant that burns fat and produces energy for your body. It’s also necessary for protecting your nerve fibers, supporting nerve cell growth, and managing nerve pain. 

In people with diabetic neuropathy, taking 2-3 grams of acetyl-l-carnitine can improve pain symptoms. Acetyl-l-carnitine can help rebuild your nerve fibers and improve vibration perception, therefore reducing painful symptoms of nerve damage in diabetics. 

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is an ingredient in nearly every multivitamin. It’s one of the essential B-complex vitamins that help manage important processes in your body. Vitamin B12 is necessary for making red blood cells that carry oxygen throughout your body and to your nerve cells. 

It also helps to maintain the myelin sheath. The myelin sheath is the protective covering over your nerve fibers. If the myelin sheath becomes damaged or wears away, nerve damage may occur, resulting in neuropathy. Supplementing with vitamin B12 may help to reduce nerve pain and further nerve damage.

Benfotiamine

Benfotiamine is the synthetic, lipid soluble version of vitamin B1. It aids in treating neuropathic pain by preventing high blood sugar from damaging cells within your body. It’s useful for treating diabetic neuropathy by protecting your brain against oxidative stress. 

Oxidative stress is damage to cells caused by free radicals in the body. Benfotiamine helps protect the brain and the peripheral nerves from oxidative stress that damages nerve cells. Research shows that benfotiamine can help to significantly improve neuropathy scores, improve nerve conduction velocity, and reduce pain.

L-Methylfolate

L-methylfolate is folic acid in its active form. Some studies show that L-methylfolate helps to increase nitric oxide in the blood. Nitric oxide is a compound found in your body that widens blood vessels and stimulates the release of certain hormones, like insulin. 

By increasing levels of nitric oxide in your blood, you increase blood flow to your peripheral nerve cells. Increased blood flow helps to bring more oxygen and nutrients to your nerve cells, which helps prevent and repair nerve damage. 

In addition, L-methylfolate has antioxidant properties that may protect against oxidative nerve damage. It also plays an important role in reducing homocysteine levels (an amino acid in the body linked to heart disease, dementia, and stroke when present in high amounts) which is found in higher levels in those with diabetic neuropathy.

How Should You Consume Supplements for Neuropathy?

For best results with supplements for treating neuropathy, they should be consumed daily for a period of at least two weeks or more. Vitamin and mineral supplements build up in your body over time. They must be consumed regularly to provide you with their benefits. 

Supplements should also be taken in the correct dosage for maximum effectiveness. Taking too little may provide no benefit at all, while taking too much may lead to negative side effects. 

A multi-vitamin, mineral, and herb supplement like Neurazenx provides all the benefits of these ingredients in one. Neurazenx is a nerve pain relief supplement formulated by clinical physicians and pharmacists.* Each ingredient (including the supplements listed in this article) was chosen for its effectiveness in treating neuropathy symptoms.*

Furthermore, each ingredient is clinically dosed to provide maximum effectiveness and safety for neuropathy sufferers.* Neurazenx is a safe and effective supplement for treating occasional or chronic neuropathy pain.* It can be used alongside your usual neuropathy treatment for additional relief.*

The Takeaway

Neuropathy is a painful condition that can’t be cured. However, research has shown that certain natural supplements may be useful for treating symptoms and reducing pain.* But are these supplements overrated? 

It depends on how you incorporate them into your treatment plan. Supplements should be taken regularly and in proper doses for best results. A multivitamin supplement like Neurazenx combines the most effective supplement ingredients in one. Consuming supplements on a regular basis won’t cure your neuropathy, but it may ease your symptoms.*  - Dr. Sona Ramdath 

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.