Natural Remedies for Neuropathy: Holistic & Nutritional

Alpha Lipoic Acid

32 User Reviews
5 star (24) 
  75%
4 star (3) 
  9%
3 star (1) 
  3%
1 star (3) 
  9%
(1) 
  3%

Posted by Normared (Knoxville, East Tennessee, Us) on 05/03/2012
★★★★★

After a bad two-week long spell of sharp, needle-like pain in my feet I looked at this site for advice. At my next doctors appointment a few days later, I checked with him for his opinion, and based on that added ALA to my treatment (which was metanx pills he gave me last year). Within 24 hours of taking one 600 mg tablet of ALA the pains were down by at least 50% intensity, and now a week later they are almost completely gone. A few days ago, I also added a B complex, and plan on adding a B12 lozenge too.

My doctor - a foot doctor who specializes in neuropathy - had no problem with these 'additions', in fact he is the one who suggested B12 in a lozenge form, not a tablet. I'm now a strong believer in taking ALA B vitamins for those pains in my feet!

BTW: Bought my 600mg ALA tabs at GNC - they've got an amazing vanilla flavor and are a pleasure to take! I take 3 per day and a Bcomplex once a day.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by David (Westford, Ma) on 04/29/2012
★★★★★

I was diagnosed with peripheral neuropathy in November, 2011. The excrutiating burning on the bottoms of my feet had gotten progressively worse and I really thought my days were numbered. The last thing I would ever want to do would be to go on disability but it seemed like that was where I was headed. I have done everything to help myself. Mind/body 8 week course to learn to live with chronic pain, accupuncture, diet, meditation, yoga and more. Three days after I started ALA I thought my pain had started to reduce.

Now 6 weeks later except for minor discomfort now and then I don't think about my feet 24/7 anymore. I actually drove myself to the Museum of Fine Arts and walked around last week for a couple of hours forgetting that a few weeks prior I never could have done that. I feel blessed to have found ALA if this is why I have gotten better. I have also stopped all statins as I tried just about every one of them. I also discontinued amlodipine as the swelling it causes of my feet I was sure was aggravating my pain. I now take 900mg. Per day and wonder if that is too much? I have read many research articles on ALA and they seem to agree that IV ALA does help neuropathy. There don't seem to be any conclusive studies on oral ALA. I am looking to try and find whether ALA can actually cure Neuropathy or if you need to keep taking it?

Replied by Sandy
(Detroit, Mi)
04/30/2012

David,

Have you looked into taking b-12 also? Many are b-12 deficient and the symptoms are linked to this. B-12 is best taken in methyl form (sublingual for over the counter) and/or shot or nasal prescription. Many reasons why this deficiency is very common.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Robert Henry (Ten Mile, Tn Usa) on 08/19/2011
★★★★★

My neuropathy is due to diabities and I take Alpha Liopoic Acid intravenously and by pill. A lady who has hep c was the person who got me on this regime. It helps.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Liz (Boston, Ma) on 06/25/2011
★★★★★

Months ago, I added Alpha Lipoic Acid (100mg 3x per day) to my daily supplements for its antioxidant properties. After about a month, I noticed that the intense foot burning and pain I'd been experiencing for years was GONE! Yay!!

Just an FYI - the dosage I take is a low one (300mg/day). Those suffering with different types of neuropathy could go as high as 800mg/day.

Replied by Monique
(Elllington, Ct)
10/26/2011

I have extemely severe neuropathy in both feet which is getting worse. I'm scared. I've tried the alpha lipoic acid and acettyl-l-carntine and everthing else too. Nothing, not even pain meds like oxycodone touch the pain. I have a 7 and 8 year old to raise and the pain has become unbearable. Any suggestions from anyone would be greatly appreciated.

Replied by Bess
(Calgary, Alberta, Canada)
10/26/2011

Hi Monique - You may want to increase your Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamine - take sublingual tablets) and ensure you take a Vitamin B Complex as well. I've read that Vitamin B12 protects the sheathing surrounding nerve cells and can promote regeneration and growth of nerve cells.

Also, be tested for Vitamin D deficiency (mercola.com or Vitamin D Council have lots of info on this). If you do an Internet search for "vitamin D deficiency neuropathy" you'll find lots of information suggesting you get your Vitamin D levels up. Good luck!

Replied by Debbie
(Melbourne, Australia)
10/26/2011

Monique you can try "earthing" for your pain. The most simplest way to do earthing is for you to sit with your feet barefoot on the earth (or grass). You can do some research but I have read it helped someone with neuropathy of the feet.

If it helps you can also back earthing sheets for your bed and even the computer. The best shoes to wear are leather soled shoes because they still earth you to the ground.

Lots of info available on earthing.. May be worth a try... Just sit or outside barefoot and see if it helps. Would love to know how it goes.

Replied by Ale
(Cardiff, Uk)
10/27/2011

Hello Monique,

A friend of mine had a crippling neuropathy in both feet and couldn't even walk. She went to get osteopathic adjustments just once or twice and now the pain is almost completely gone. You might want to find a good osteopath in your area and give it a try. Good luck!


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Marie (Philadelphia, Pa) on 09/23/2009
★★★★★

Hi, I have a pinched nerve also in my lower back and I have not been diagnosed with neuropathy, I do have symptoms like neuropathy. I did research on EC and other sites regarding alc and alpha lipoic acid is helping me also. I take 400mg a day.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Ellen (Arlington, Tx) on 09/22/2009
★★★★★

Alpha Lipoic Acid for Neuropathy

I have a pinched nerve in my back which causes peripheral neuropathy. I have been using ALA for almost 2 weeks now and my symptoms have improved I take 300 mg (time released tablets) twice per day.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Sharon (Sacramento, CA) on 12/03/2008
★★★★★

My mom has peripheral neuropathy not caused by diabetes. She complained every day and it had started to cause a persistant burning in her forehead also (a form of pn according to her neuologist) She now takes 300mg of alpha lipoic acid daily and no longer has the forehead sensation and feet are much less painful. She stopped for awhile and within weeks was complaining of the old symptoms. She resumed the supplement and symptoms abated.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Trenna (Elyria, Ohio) on 10/31/2007
★★★★★

I have severe neuropathy and my head shakes. I went to a health food store and got alpha lipoic acid amd have been on it for eight days and it has been wonderful. I no longer have pain and my head doesn't shake. I feel like anew person.I hope this can help someone else. It's nice to go out and not be stared at.


Alpha Lipoic Acid, B12

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Shrikant (New York) on 11/15/2011
★★★★★

Hello.... I had feet burning for a long time(2 - 3 years). Earlier to that I found my feet was paining a lot. I am diabetic for the last 30 years. Obviously it should be diabetic neuropathy. Recently I tried Benfontamine (fat soluble Vit B1) 200 mg twice a day alpha lipoic acid 600 mg Methylcobalmin (B12 variety) that aids the process of methylation. I found that the feet burning has been controlled substantially. I used to take alcohol in moderate amount. The day I take alcohol my feet burning erupts and the day I stop it goes away. I think alcohol has something to do with my feet burning and I have now decided to discontinue alcohol altogether! Let us see.

Shrikant

New York


Amla

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Om (Hope, Bc, Canada) on 12/29/2013
★★★★★

I used to have those almost unbearable electric, stabbing shocks on the instep of my foot. Then I researched and now use Amla powder, a very potent vit.C from India. I make up about three tsp. in a glass with water to steep for the day and, using a straw, divide this quantity over a day and a bit right after a meal..

With this I use a cup with three full tsp. of turmeric with hemp oil and a full tblsp. plain whey powder in water. I have kept up this for, I think, two years. The pain disappeared soon, came back just a wee bit and vanished for good, so it seems.

I have this from Ayurveda and it is actually meant for diabetes without medication. It was stated that large amount of vit. C would cure the pain. It did. Om


Apple Cider Vinegar

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Judy (Fremont, Wi) on 03/14/2017
★★★★★

I have been suffering from heel pain and burning on the tops of my feet for months. The pain is especially bad when I first get out of bed in the morning, after a full day of being on them, or even after resting in my recliner and I get up to walk. I went to the doctor and he did blood work panels that didn't reveal anything. He had me doing stretching exercises and no relief in sight. I tried chiropractic and she suggested I take vitamin b complex, which I started about a week ago. This morning I read about apple cider vinegar cures and I thought I'd give it a try. What would I have to lose except this pain and suffering I've had for months? I took a cotton ball and put ACV on it and rubbed it over the tops of my feet and the heels after my shower this morning and this was the best day I've had in a very long time being almost pain free. Tonight, I repeated the cotton ball application of ACV to the tops of my feet and heels. It is instant relief! I am going to continue doing this treatment as long as it takes to be pain free!


Apple Cider Vinegar
Posted by Denise (Seattle, Wa) on 04/15/2013

Question for Bill from Phillipines. I have Peripheral Neuropathy and hep-c. I want to take your alkalizing remedy but when I take even one tablespoon of ACV, I get freezing cold in my feet and everywhere in fact. Also, when I take vitamin E (even 200 IU's) I get freezing cold. Don't understand it. Thank you and Blessings.

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
04/16/2013

Hi Denise... Lack of Iodine in the body can cause cold hands and cold feet. Iodine helps to regulate and control the body's accomodation to hot and cold conditions via the thyroid gland -- especially at the peripherals of the body. So it might help if you supplement kelp or lugol's iodine to see if this helps your problem of feeling cold at the peripherals of your body.

Another reason for this problem could be because of your Hep C. Improving the liver's function thereby purifying your blood may also be helped by taking Milk Thistle(1000 mgs twice a day at mealtimes), Selenium(200 mcgs twice a day at mealtimes) and Alpha Lipoic Acid or ALA (300 mgs twice a day at mealtimes). ALA is a wonderful detoxer of poisons and is well known to help peripheral neuropathy problems in the body. Drinking Chanca piedra tea two or three times a day or taking 1000 mgs of Chanca piedra (twice a day at mealtimes) will also help you detox and repair your liver. I would also take Chlorella on a daily basis to help remove any heavy metals from your body.

You can also find other useful Hep C remedies here on EC:

BHT Remedy for Hep C

Berkson Therapy for Hep C

Ted's Lysine and Vitamin C remedy for Hep C

Replied by Denise
(Seattle, Wa)
04/19/2013

Hi Bill, Thank you for the quick response. I tried the Berkson therapy for 10 months and my enzymes stayed the same and even went up a bit. I get terribly cold when I take even a small amount of chlorella. I have used chianca piedra for 6 months and my enzymes went down slightly. I currently take lugol's solution 2% on Mondays and Thursdays. I take kelp the other days which has 330 mcg of iodine in it. Last night I took a 1/8th teaspoon of baking soda with real lemon juice (2 tbls) and woke up freezing. I took my temp and it was 96.3. I had some chicken broth which warms me up enough to go to sleep.

Any other suggestions. And thank you again. And blessings.


Arginine and Citrulline

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Mr. Ree (Usa) on 08/16/2013
★★★★★

Please read the book by Dr. Louis Ignarro. He won the Nobel prize for science in 1997. He states clearly that Arginine and Citrulline will help neuropathy. He says to take 4000 mg arginine and 1000 mg citrulline before bed and it will bring back to life your endothelial cells and your neuropathy will be helped and your heart and everything else in your body will benefit... The combination of these 2 amino acids generates Nitric oxide...


Avoid Splenda

1 User Review
5 star (1) 
  100%

Posted by Art (Vancouver Bc., Canada) on 11/14/2012
★★★★★

Splenda as I just discovered can cause neuropathy and blood sugar spikes. This is probably the reason why I have come down with neuropathy over the past ten years. It snuck up on me and as I think back this is when I started using splenda because my doctor told me I was excreting sugar in my urine. He told me I was borderline diabetic. I felt the need to post here about this poison splenda and if you just google the name you will find out. I never thought to check it out and only found out about it from watching DR. OZ.

Take care, art


B Complex and B12

2 User Reviews
5 star (2) 
  100%

Posted by Rob (Kentucky) on 12/19/2023
★★★★★

I was talking to Brenda, a woman (40yrs old) from Mexico City, who developed Gestational Diabetes while pregnant a few years back, which later turned into type-1, and also developed neuropathy in her feet after taking diabetic medication.

She told me she traveled to Cuba for treatment of her neuropathy. There, they put her on high dosage of Vitamin B-Complex. After a few weeks, her neuropathy disappeared.

The Link Between Vitamin B-Complex Deficiency and Neuropathy

If you're a diabetic, unfortunately, you may be at a higher risk for neuropathy. The use of metformin for the management of blood sugar levels can deplete levels of Vitamin B12 and other B vitamins in the body. So, if you're a diabetic and any of the symptoms of neuropathy develop, then it's best to seek medical help in this case.

Low Vitamin B12 can cause dysfunction in the myelin sheath. The role of the myelin sheath is to protect the nerves from becoming damaged. This affects the ability of the nerves to operate correctly, as well as affecting the ability to provide adequate nutrition to the myelin sheath.

A deficiency of B-Vitamins is fairly common in the older age groups. In fact, between 10% and 15% of those over 60 years old have neuropathy.

An intensive treatment plan is needed to ensure that optimal B-Vitamin levels are maintained.

How Much Vitamin B-Complex Is Needed for Neuropathy Treatment

Lacking vitamins E, B1, B6, and B12 may cause neuropathy. These vitamins are vital to nerve health and functioning. A deficiency can lead to significant nerve damage.

The method used is generally dependent on whether one has developed a nutritional deficiency or poorly absorbs the vitamin.

The required doses of Vitamin B12 for neuropathy in adults are:

  • 1000mcg daily over five days
  • ​1000mcg weekly over five weeks

Brenda's treatment involved taking high dosages of B-Complex. She had to be monitored by blood work daily due to her Type-1 diabetes. But, for a person in general good health with no underlying health issues, taking B-Complex daily so have no problems.

Caution

For adults only. Consult a physician if pregnant/nursing, taking medication, or have a medical condition. Most B-vitamin products contain Biotin (B-7), which may interfere with some blood test results.



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