Nerve damage or neuropathy can affect any part of the body, and people with this condition may experience pain, weakness, and numbness especially in the hands and feet. Lifestyle modifications and medications can provide relief to people experiencing the symptoms of neuropathy, but some people may find supplements helpful in addition to these methods.
WORDS LIM TECK CHOON
Here are 8 supplements that are often linked to neuropathy. They may be worth discussing further with a doctor or pharmacist.
#1 ACETYL-L-CARNITINE
- Produced naturally in the liver and kidneys, this protein substance is said to be helpful in improving nerve function in people whose neuropathy is linked to diabetes.
- Studies on its benefits to people with neuropathy due to chemotherapy yielded mixed results, however.
- Some found that it could help, while others found that it offered little to no additional benefit.
#2 B-COMPLEX VITAMINS
- Vitamins B-1, B-6, folate (B-9), B-12, and others help to support our nerve function, and the ability of our brain to process information that comes in through our senses.
- Studies often found that inadequate consumption of these vitamins may increase the risk of nerve damage. Hence the theory that consumption of these vitamins may help improve nerve function among those affected by neuropathy.
- Research on these vitamins have been mixed, however, and more research is needed before we can conclusively determine whether B-complex vitamins can help and if yes, the recommended dosage that will be most helpful.
People interested in exploring this option should discuss this matter further with a healthcare professional.
#3 ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID
- Said to be able to help reverse nerve damage caused by free radicals as well as to boost the effects of antioxidants in slowing or stopping nerve damage.
- It has been suggested that daily supplementation with ALA can reduce the number of symptoms seen in people with diabetic neuropathy.
- Higher dosages, however, tend to lead to more side effects such as nausea.
#4 MAGNESIUM
- Magnesium is often thought to be beneficial to people with neuropathy due to chemotherapy.
- However, to date, studies have yielded only mixed results.
#5 CALCIUM
- Often said to be useful for people who experience nerve damage due to chemotherapy.
- However, to date, results from various studies have been mixed.
#6 GLUTAMINE
- Glutamine has long been considered as useful for people who underwent chemotherapy and experienced neuropathy as one of the side effects.
- Just like with calcium and magnesium, studies so far on glutamine have failed to provide any conclusive evidence that this is indeed the case.
#7 GLUTATHIONE
- An antioxidant that is also produced naturally in the body
- Theorized to be able to help reduce symptoms of neuropathy.
- Research on this matter is still relatively few, and the studies conducted so far have given us only mixed results.
# 8 N-ACETYL CYSTEINE (NAC)
- May help protect the nerves from inflammation and damage, so it may both reduce the risk of and treat neuropathy.
- The amount of research on NAC and its benefits to people with neuropathy is still relatively few.
| This article is part of our series on supplements and nutrients to improve our physical and mental health. |
References:
- Sergi, G., Pizzato, S., Piovesan, F., Trevisan, C., Veronese, N., & Manzato, E. (2018). Effects of acetyl-L-carnitine in diabetic neuropathy and other geriatric disorders. Aging clinical and experimental research, 30(2), 133–138. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40520-017-0770-3
- Ziegler, D., Ametov, A., Barinov, A., Dyck, P. J., Gurieva, I., Low, P. A., Munzel, U., Yakhno, N., Raz, I., Novosadova, M., Maus, J., & Samigullin, R. (2006). Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes care, 29(11), 2365–2370. https://doi.org/10.2337/dc06-1216
