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Natural / alternative symptomatic treatments for peripheral neuropathy
(1) Natural / alternative symptomatic treatments for peripheral neuropathy
General recommendations to counter and control inflammation
Find suggestions at:
INFLAMMATION - Can't live with it, Can't live without it
Transdermal DMSO
Small scale studies conducted in the early 1980's
suggested DMSO may help to relieve peripheral neuropathy
(Kingery, 1997)
• DMSO has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect
• DMSO is a powerful antioxidant
• DMSO contains sulfur -
a component of nerve protecting vitamin B1
DMSO -Carrier
and Penetrant / Stop Pain & inflammation
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
Universal fat and water soluble
antioxidant
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) (aka. thioctic acid)
is the key to significant reduction of neuropathy and nerve
pain. ALA is a sulfur-containing fatty acid
found inside every cell of the body; the reduced form of ALA is dihydrolipic acid
(DHLA)
ALA helps generate
energy .
R-ALA is an essential cofactor for several mitochondrial enzymes critical
to cellular energy production.also found to act similarly to
INSULIN by increasing numbers of cell "transporters"(GLUT-4s)
that carry glucose into cells and
increasing
glucose uptake
This potent fat- and water-soluble
antioxidant can neutralize potentially damaging radicals
(both reactive oxygen and nitrogen species) j ust
about anywhere in the body. As can its reduced form DHLA; although
supplemented body concentrations are 10-fold less than
vitamin C and glutathione and it is quickly eliminated from cells.
Glutathione synthesis. This "in-house"
master antioxidant deals with potentially
carcinogenic toxins in the body; aging-reduced levels are enhanced by ALA
DHLA (the reduced form of ALA)
has the unique ability to recharge other fat- and water-
soluble antioxidants
that have been used up. E.g. Vitamins
B , C and
E , CoQ10 (important in mitochondrial electron
transport chain in cellular energy production) and glutathione; protects microcirculation
to the nerves by combating free radicals, a primary cause of nerve damage.
ALA and DHLA are
effective chelators of free transition metal iron and copper ions.
Preventing them from catalyzing reactions that produce potentially nerve-damaging
free radicals.
Can cross the blood/brain barrier / Specific effect
on nerves eases neuropathy-associated burning, pain, and numbness.
Promotes better blood flow and oxygen to the nerves; promotes glucose entry
into nerve cells and breakdown once there.
ALA is synthesized
in the body and a small amount obtained from food. In the
cell mitochondria 2 sulfur atoms are inserted into octanoic acid (an 8-carbon fatty
acid).
Dosage to counter PN. 150
mg R-ALA twice per da y or 600-1200 mg /day of a 50/50 mix of R-ALA
and S-ALA. (Several
studies have shown 100% R-ALA (form occurring in food) to be more effective than
the cheaper, more commonly used S-ALA ). For best bioavailability,
take on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after eating).
Some scientists' results using ALAfor neuropathy
- Researcher
L. Androne found that "The antioxidant therapy with R-ALA improves and may
prevent diabetic neuropathy."
- "Treatment
with R-ALA over 3 weeks is safe and effective in reducing symptoms of diabetic peripheral
neuropathy". Reports scientist FA Gries.
- "Oral
treatment with R-ALA for 5 weeks improved neuropathic symptoms."
(Ziegler & Gries, 1997; Kahler et al, 1993; Ziegler
et al, 1995; Packer et al, 1995; Ruhnau et al, 1999 )
Animal studies have indicated that a combination
of ALAwith ALC (see below) can actually reverse and
repair the neurological and cognitive declines that occur with aging.
Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC)
Amino acid responsible for transporting certain
fatty acids into cell mitochondriafor energy production
20 years of benefits with Alzheimer's and cognitive disorders
More recent studies show ALC reduces pain and increases
nerve conduction in PN
- In
an Italian study published 2002. 333 patients with diabetic
peripheral neuropathy were randomized in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled fashion.
Half of the patients received initial doses of 1000 mg daily of intramuscular
ALC for 10 days followed by 2000 mg a day orall y for
the remainder of the year. At the end of the study, those patients treated with
ALC showed a statistically significant improvement in nerve conduction responsiveness
compared to placebo. In addition, after twelve months of treatment the ALC group
had a statistically significant reduction of pain by 39% compared to 8% in the placebo
group. The conclusion was that ALC was effective and well tolerated in improving
neurophysiological parameters and reducing pain over a one year period. It was felt
to be a promising treatment option in patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy.
- In
a 2010 study published in England. Pre-treating animals with
ALC seemed to have a protective effect on peripheral nerves that were then experimentally
destroyed. Study authors suggest ALC may be suitable for clinical use in preventing
nerve death after peripheral nerve trauma.
N- Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)
NAC has been shown to be neuroprotective in traumatic
brain injury. A potent antioxidant, NAC reduces inflammatory
cytokines and proteins, reducing edema. NAC is a precursor to body's master antioxidant
glutathione. (Sagara et al, 1996; Love et al, 1996)
Transdermal (or intravenous)
magnesium
Reduced
Magnesium
levels can increase acute pain and induce chronic neuropathic
pain. Low magnesium levels not only inhibit the body's
capacity to block the NMDA receptor site, contributing to higher levels of acute
or immediate pain, but in addition, low magnesium
levels make central sensitization of the spinal cord more likely to occur,
which can lead to chronic neuropathic pain.
magnesium deficiency
also allows potentially damaging heavy metal deposition in the brain.
Transdermal magnesium
chloride foot bath
- Take
a nightly footbath in a solution of Magnesium chloride crystals and water.
The best method to quickly raise body's magnesium
l evels and bring relief from pain anywhere in the body, but especially if
in the lower leg area, as is often the case with PN;
An Epsom Salt bath provides both
magnesium and
sulfur to the body. Dissolve 2 Cups Epsom salts (magnesium
sulfate crystals) in a tub of warm (not hot) water. Soak whole body
for 15-20 minutes. Do this therapy 3 times a week - Very relaxing!
Sulfur
Mg against Pain
Mg calms Nerves
Transdermal Magnesium Chloride
VITAMIN D
#1 in the arsenal against inflammation
- Vitamin
D is neuroprotective
- reduces neuronal loss when used alone in traumatic brain injury studies and further
studies have shown that adding vitamin D to
the Progesterone protocol to rebuild
nerves, increases the benefits of
Progesterone (See
Progesterone on this page).
Vitamin D deficiency increases levels of inflammatory
cytokines and proteins, which increase substantially when injured.
- Best
obtained from skin exposure to the sun's rays. Need 5000
- 10000 IU / day to battle neuropathic inflammation. The next best
Vitamin D source is to use a full spectrum
tanning bed, and the third choice is to take a vitamin
D3 supplement.
The "Sunbath" - Vit D
How to obtain Vitamin D
Anti-inflammatory Omega-3 / Omega-6 GLA fatty acids
The body's inflammatory response is controlled by the
sufficient presence of
anti-inflammatory Omega-3
and Omega-6
GLA fatty
acids to balance today's typical over-consumption of the
inflammatory omega-6
fatty acids (E.g. in corn/soy/canola oils used in
cooking /processed foods) - the best way to restore balance is to supplement
with wild salmon oil or krill oil and flax seed for
omega-3 and evening primrose or borage oil for
omega-6 GLA
We need more omega-3
How to obtain omega-3 fat
Castor Oil
Castor oil is used
either alone or with added essential oils to relieve neural pain.
Some good warming E.O.'s: Oil of Oregano, Cinnamon Oil, Black Pepper Oil,
and Ginger Oil, and also Cayenne
Castor oil -Palm of Christ
Curcumin for autoimmune PN
Potential neuroprotective properties of curcumin
(found in turmeric spice)
- Curcumin,
confirmed as potent inflammatory agent, and believed to interrupt immune system
attack on myelin sheath. Nashville researchers believe curcumin
may interrupt the production of IL-12, a protein that plays a key role in signaling
immune cells to launch their assault on the myelin sheath.
- Mice
with EAE (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis - an immune condition
used as a model for MS, since it results in myelin erosion) recover movement
after curcumin injections.
In a 30-day study injecting mice with
curcumin doses 3 times/week at doses roughly equivalent to the amount eaten in a
typical Indian diet (E.g. in curry); In Asian countries, where spicy foods, including
yellow compounds like curcumin are eaten quite regularly, reports of M.S. are rare;
(Annual Experimental Biology, 2002)
Quit Smoking
Does this really need saying? -
OK fine - here's just one pertinent reason.
Smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves
and can worsen neuropathic symptoms.
References Annual Experimental Biology (2002) Conference New Orleans,
LAApril 23, 2002
Kingery WS. (1997) A critical
review of controlled clinical trials for peripheral neuropathic pain and complex
regional pain syndromes . Pain ;73:123-39.
Kahler W, Kuklinski B, Ruhlmann C, et al. (1993) Diabetes
mellitus-a free radical-associated disease. Results of adjuvant antioxidant supplementation
[in German; English abstract]. Z GesamteInnMed.48:223-232.
Love A, Cotter MA, et al. (1996 Aug) Effects of the sulphydryl donor N-acetyl-L-cysteine
on nerve conduction, perfusion, maturation and regeneration following freeze damage
in diabetic rats. Eur J Clin Invest. 26(8):698-706. [PubMed ]
Packer L, Witt EH, Tritschler HJ. (1995) Alpha-lipoic acid
as a biological antioxidant. Free Radic Biol Med. 19:227-250.
Ruhnau KJ, Meissnert HP, Finn JR, et al. (1999) Effects of
3-week oral treatment with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid) in
symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabet Med. 16:1040-1043.
Sagara
M ,
Satoh
J ,
Wada
R ,
Yagihashi S ,
Takahashi K ,
Fukuzawa M ,
Muto
G ,
Muto
Y ,
Toyota
T . (1996 Mar) Inhibition of development of peripheral neuropathy in streptozotocin-induced
diabetic rats with N-acetylcysteine.Diabetologia.
39(3):263-9. [PubMed ]
Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. (1995) Treatment
of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy with the anti-oxidant alpha-lipoic
acid. A 3-week multicentre randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia.
38:1425-1433.
Ziegler D, Gries FA. (1997) Alpha-lipoic acid in the treatment
of diabetic peripheral and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Diabetes. 46(suppl 2):S62-S66.