Natural Remedies for Neuropathy: Holistic & Nutritional

| Modified on Jan 26, 2024
ALA

Neuropathy, a nerve damage condition resulting in pain, numbness, and weakness, particularly in hands and feet, can significantly impact quality of life. However, natural remedies, including holistic therapies and nutritional supplements, offer promising results for managing neuropathic symptoms.

Understanding Neuropathy: Symptoms and Causes

Neuropathy often presents as numbness, weakness, or pain, with additional symptoms like loss of nerve sensation, muscle control difficulties, burning sensations, hypersensitivity, and changes in skin, hair, and nails. Identifying the underlying cause of neuropathy is complex, with potential triggers including alcoholism, autoimmune diseases, diabetes, toxin exposure, medications, infections, genetics, trauma, tumors, and vitamin deficiencies.

Natural Remedies for Neuropathy

Numerous natural remedies can effectively mitigate nerve pain. Techniques like **acupuncture** and other holistic therapies have proven effective for neuropathy management. Moreover, supplements such as alpha-lipoic acid, B vitamins, calcium, and baking soda have shown substantial benefits.

Acupuncture and Holistic Therapies

Acupuncture, a traditional holistic therapy, has shown promising results in relieving neuropathic pain. This technique and other holistic approaches can significantly alleviate neuropathy symptoms by promoting nerve healing and reducing discomfort.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)

ALA, the 'universal antioxidant,' is pivotal in neuropathy treatment. It protects nerve cells from damage and inflammation and enhances neuron function. ALA is particularly effective in diabetic neuropathy, improving pain relief and nerve function. This is the most effective supplement for neuropathy, according to Earth Clinic readers.

Sources and Dosage:

Dietary sources of ALA include broccoli, spinach, red meat, and brewer's yeast. ALA supplements are recommended for therapeutic purposes, with typical dosages ranging from 600 to 800 mg per day, divided into two or three doses.

B Vitamins: Key to Nerve Health

B vitamins are essential for nerve function and repair. They aid in nerve cell creation, signal transmission, and healing.

  • Vitamin B1 (Thiamine): Supports nerve cell function and carbohydrate metabolism.
  • Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine): Crucial for neurotransmitter production and nerve health.
  • Vitamin B9 (Folate): Vital for new cell creation, including nerve cells.
  • Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Essential for nerve cell maintenance and myelin sheath production.

These vitamins are available in whole grains, lean meats, fruits, and vegetables and can be supplemented to ensure adequate daily intake.

Calcium: Nerve Impulse Transmission

Calcium is vital for transmitting nerve impulses. Supplementing with calcium can help regulate nerve transmissions and manage neuropathic pain.

Baking Soda: Alkalizing Properties for Pain Relief

Baking soda, with its alkalizing properties, can help manage neuropathic symptoms by balancing body pH. However, be cautious, as it can deplete essential nutrients like potassium and magnesium.

Conclusion

Managing neuropathy with natural treatments like acupuncture, alpha-lipoic acid, B vitamins, calcium, and baking soda offers a holistic approach to alleviating symptoms. These remedies, coupled with lifestyle modifications, can significantly improve neuropathic conditions. Share your experiences with neuropathy and the natural remedies that helped you, and continue reading to learn more about effective natural treatments for neuropathy.




Acetyl-L Carnitine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid

5 User Reviews
5 star (5) 
  100%

Posted by Zanytranscriber (Port Townsend, Wa, Usa) on 05/25/2012
★★★★★

I found this website when looking for info about neuropathy. My husband has had two back surgeries and has suffered with neuropathy ever since, especially his right leg. Most of the time, it feels like it is waking up from being asleep with things that feel like sparkles ALL THE TIME, but sometimes he gets something like electrical shocks that zip down his leg. We got alpha lipoic acid 100 mg and acetyl L-carnitine 500 mg at a local store. He started first with just the ALA one tablet and felt relief the second day. After a few days with just the ALA, we added the acetyl L-carnitine. He is able to sleep at night, and even if he has been really active and his leg is doing really badly, it doesn't take as long for the shocks to go away. He has been able to stop taking Neurontin, Methocarbamol, Xanax, etc and is much more active. We tell everyone about this combination, even our chiropractor and MD. We also tell them about the website. Thanks so much.

Replied by Zanytranscriber
(Port Townsend, Wa, Usa)
05/27/2012

My husband is taking 250 mg of the alpha lipoic acid once a day and the same for the acetyl L-carnitine 500 mg, once a day. If he is having more "sparkles", he will take another of the ALA 250 mg.

Replied by Laura
(Erie, Co)
07/29/2012
★★★★★

For 2 years, I was dealing with the pain, shooting sensations, fatigue, electronic vibrations, etc. When my third neurologist said peripheral neuropathy, I found this site, and immediatly began treatment. Because 35% of people with peripheral neuropathy are gluten intolerant, I decided to give this a shot, since diabetes has been ruled out. I have also gone dairy-free, as I've always been a little sensitive to dairy.

After 3 weeks, I already feel so much better, I have stopped taking gabapentin for the pain! There is still a little pain, but the shooting stabbing sensations are gone, and the feeling of restless leg syndrome is gone too.

Here is my daily regimine, specifically:

  • 6:00 am 1000 mg acetyl-L-carnitine
  • 6:30 am breakfast (gluten free, dairy free), 100 mg R-lipoic acid, vit D supplement, fish oil supplement.
  • 10:00 am 1000 acetyl-L-carnitine, empty stomach
  • 12:00 pm 1 fish oil supplement, lunch (gluten free, dairy free)
  • 2:00 pm 1000 acetyl-L-carnitine
  • 5:00 pm dinner (gluten free, dairy free), 1 fish oil supplement, 1 apple cider vinegar
  • 9:30 pm 200 mg R-lipoic acid, 1 B complex supplement.

This is a lot, and I wouldn't do this for more than a few months, but it is amazing how much better I feel in just a few weeks. I will follow up in January 2013, with the final results. I hope with positive news that a complete recovery has been made.

Joseph
(Stockton, CA)
08/11/2021
73 posts

Hi Laura, just read your posting of several years ago. 1st. Gabapentine did they sell it back then? To me I would never take due to how dangerous the side effects are. Did you suffer Side Effects at all? How long did you take? Did it really help your pain? Is there an R-Lipoic Acid? Thank you, I too love this site, however, I have lots of priorities so I can't view for hours, but would love to because I pass on info to others that need it.

If I can be of assistance with anything pls contact me. Joseph

Replied by Alana
(Aurora, Co)
11/19/2012

Hi Laura - thanks for the great info. I'm so glad your neuropathy has resolved and congrats on finding the cause! I had a sudden onset of neuropathy in my legs in 2005, which has since spread to my hands. Doctors believe the cause is either autoimmune or a spinal cord cyst. I'm interested to try your approach, but also fearful of giving up beloved gluten, dairy, etcetera and having it not work. So, my question is, how long were you doing the gf thing before you noticed a difference? Even though I've tested negative for gluten sensitivity, I've gone off of it for periods up to 2 weeks without any difference. Thanks in advance for any info!

Deb Adams
(Fl)
11/18/2020

Have severe b6 toxicity just from a multi-vitamin, caused neuropathy etc. Get off b6 and see if you improve.

Replied by Lily
(Kelowna, BC, Canada)
01/26/2013
★★★★★

I also went gluten free and after 2 weeks am no longer taking the supplements. Ocassionally in the late evenings there is a bit of tingling but it has only been 2 weeks. I am very strict about reading labels etc. And I eat a lot of fresh fruit and veggies, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and make myself some awesome smoothies. I have dehydrated lots of apple so I have healthy snacks. It is a very healthy diet. Here in Canada I buy 1 loaf of Udi's glutin free bread each week it is good bread.... In the freezer section and I bake some muffin. Good luck to all & good eating. Let's eat healthy & heal our bodies.

Replied by Tlkleen
(Halifax, Nova Scotia)
02/10/2013

My husband has a rare disease called Tangiers. It causes neuropathy mainly in his limbs, but has lost feeling all over. He suffers from alot of pain. He is getting ALA treatment from his naturopath. They are starting a new treatment that involves a new natural med that will be administered before the ALA to help the body absorbe it. They say he will notice a difference with in 30 days. Fingers crossed!

Replied by Cheryl G
(Groves, Texas, United States)
03/09/2013

Tikeen from Halfax: My husband has neuropathy pretty severe, I'm interested to hear how the treatment goes with ur husband. Wishing ya'll best of luck!! Pls let me know how it goes! XOXOXO

Replied by Steve
(Las Vegas, Nv Nevada)
03/09/2013

My brother has had some success relieving neuropathy in his fingers and toes using a low level laser therapy pen. There is lots of research on low level laser therapy for neuropathy you can read as well: http://www.healinglightseminars.com/laser-research-library/neuropathy-2/

Steve

Pay It Forward
(PNW)
06/26/2023
41 posts

Thanks. Red light therapy maybe a lesser known but effective treatment, without having to take another pill. Ordered a unit today. Will be doing this daily and will come back in 30 days to report my spouses response to this.

Replied by Lily
(Kelowna, BC)
04/07/2013

I added an ADRENAL Gland support and with the gluten free I now have dropped the supplements except for B-12 injection and take fish oil -2 tbsp. A day and I have almost total relief. Thanks to everyone who has posted. I hope everyone finds relief like I have.

Replied by Diane
(Framingham, Ma)
06/14/2013

For Laura from Erie, CO: I read your post for Peripheral Neuropathy on 7/29/2012 and would like to know how you're doing as I am starting out with your protocol. Want to know if you added anything. Thanks Much and blessings

Replied by Denise
(Portland, Maine)
06/15/2013

I would like to know how your husband is doing with his neuropathy? You mentioned a new treatment with a naturopath. Is it working out? Very interested as I am also in a great deal of pain with neuropathy. I've been to 2 neurologists and all they can/will do is give me drugs. I tries neurontin but it didn't do anything for my pain and made me very confused and unable to carry on a conversation. Thank you.

Replied by Stormy
(Nj)
02/08/2014

I'm writing about a man named Walter Last. He has published a book called 'Heal Yourself The Natural Way'. I purchased his books. They come a series of three for the complete book.

I asked him about my Peripheral Neuropathy in my feet. His reply was; 'This is usually due to poor blood circulation. Most useful will be the ascorbate/MSM, see Chapter 3 of Towards Radiant Health and http://www.the-heal-yourself-series.com/index.html with Vitamin C and MSM; also see Hypercoagulation in Chapter 6 of Towards Radiant Health, and finally often have a warm foot bath with the addition of a handful of magnesium chloride and 3 tsp of sodium bicarbonate. Then very slowly and spaced out add 2 tsp of citric acid crystals. The aim is to let most of the developing CO2 bubbles dissolve in the water rather than letting them pop.

I haven't tried it yet, but am working on buying a bulk container of MSM and Vitamin C.

The other man I emailed to was Tony Pantalleresco, a man who says about himself, 'I'm just a guy who knows some stuff'. Tony replied to my problem with the following remedy; serrpeptase 10-20 mgs, msm 1000 mgs, B1 100 mgs, dose 5 times a day, I am taking this remedy presently. I have been taking these for the past 3 weeks and have noticed the bottom of my feet with less leathery, numbness than previously.

Good luck to all, and thanks for reading my attempts at dealing with neuropathy.

Replied by Jim Spencer
(Medford, Oregon)
11/17/2015

I like the idea about using Carnitine for neuropathy. But, I think you should try taking virgin plant oils rather than a fish oil supplement. Eating fish, including sardines is a good way to get fish oil. Fish oil capsules have a highly refined/distilled derivative of omegas. They might actually result in negative health problems-including cardiovascular problems such as high blood pressure and arrhythmias. Cold pressed Hemp oil is a perfect blend of 3-6-9 and GLA, plus all amino acids and protein. Read Dr. Rowens"The PEO Solution" for the in-depth research on the subject.

Replied by Rosea
(Michigan)
01/25/2017

Liz,

How long did it take for the alpha lipoic acid to work? Also how much did you take a day?

Replied by Rich
(San Jose)
08/02/2017

Each person has a different reaction when taking meds or supplements.

at best trial and error.


Acetyl-L Carnitine, Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Posted by Bill (Staten Island, Ny ) on 07/10/2011
★★★★★

I had stage 3 cancers in colon, rectum, and prostate chemo radiation and had terrible neuropathy after for 3 years trying numerous specialists and pain killers w no results then my brother told me about actyl-l carnitine 1000 mg 2xs a day and alpha-lipoic acid 250 mg 2xs a day - within a few days an absolute miracle happened i can walk pain free and in balance my golf game has gotten much better shooting way under par almost daily - I'm a PGA pro who couldnt finsh 9 holes until now -could play 27 if needed- hope it works 4 u 2.

Replied by Faith
(Wantage, Nj, Usa)
07/11/2011

Like you, I have developed neuropathy from chemo. I am ready to start the supplements that have worked for you and apparently many others. Would you mind telling me what brands you have used. Also do you use any benfotiamine?(B-1)

Thanks so much for the hope! Faith

Replied by Carol
(Los Angeles, Ca)
01/12/2012
★★★★★

I was suffering from continual extreme muscle tightness in my thighs and neuropathy in the top of my foot shortly after I began taking Lipitor. I discontinued the Lipitor after 3 weeks, but was unable to exercise without the pain becoming increasingly worse. I stopped taking the Lipitor but had no improvement in my symptoms whatsoever, so after 6 weeks I broke down and decided to try this combination based on Bill's experience. I began taking 500 mgs of Acetyl-L-Carnitine 1x a day and 100 mgs of R Lipoic Acid 2x a day. (I am a small person, so I take a minimal dose. ) I felt relief within 2 days. Five months later, I am happy to report that I am at 98% of where I was before taking the statin with only the slightest bit of tightness and neuropathy when I exercise hard.

You should always check with your doctor and investigate as much as possible before taking a supplement with a prescription drug or other supplements. I believe my original problem with Lipitor was caused by inadvertently combining it with Red Yeast Rice.

Replied by Dana
(Ashland, Or)
05/30/2012

Connie from Slc, Utah, thank you for your comments. I have PN, and have adjusted my diet (gluten free, balanced blood sugar) and have added in many supplements recommended on this site. Do you have dosage recommendations on the ones you state can irritate at high dosage?

I have a problem with ALA. Perhaps because it is a chelator, I feel incredibly toxic any time I take it, even very low dose. I am not otherwise sensitive to sulphur as in onions or garlic. How important is ALA to any protocol of supplements? Do you or anyone here have an opinon on that?


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 Patty (Pennsylvania) on 09/18/2018
★★★★★

600 mg of alpha lipoic acid has helped my neuropathy go away. You may have to take this dosage twice a day for awhile but it works.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Steve (Nv) on 05/07/2018
★★★★★

R-Alpha Lipoic acid is one of the best supplements for neuropathy.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Duncan (Winthrop, Wa) on 06/02/2017
★★★★★

My physician said Neuropathy was incurable. Mega doses of Lipoic Acid; intensive Reflexology; and daily rubbing feet with Cannabis cream reduced problem to 5% remaining. I also roll my feet on a plastic sphere and jump on a 32" trampoline for 5 minutes. I'm walking normally now.

Replied by Charlotte
(TEXAS)
07/22/2023
★★★☆☆

I've been taking 300 mg of Alpha Lipoic Acid daily…. Still have numbness in feet and low legs. Any suggestions?

Replied by Art
(California)
07/22/2023
2119 posts

Charlotte,

You might consider this for peripheral neuropathy :

https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/five-supplements-for-peripheral-neuropathy.html

Art


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by David (Greenville, Sc) on 05/10/2016
★★★★★

I did use alpha lipoic acid for a short time 5 years ago and my neuropathy in my legs went TOTALLY, TOTALLY away! I think I may have been taking 600mg then but I cannot remember. I am going to start taking it again within a week because after 5 years absent I am developing neuropathy again in my leg. Is it possible if I could hear of different dosages taken by others and their results?


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Davey D (Bc) on 11/28/2015
★★★★★

Hi every one at EC.

It's been a good 2 years since I started taking R factor ALA and said it didn't seem to be working that well. Was I ever wrong, It is a fact that the R-ALA does not work that good for me and that the people at the health food store told me that the R- ALA has a left spin on it, HUH.

Since then I found the R+ALA and life would be hell without it. I have been taking 200mg of the R+ALA by Prairie Naturals for about 2 years now and the difference is outstanding. The ingerdients are, Microcrystaline cellulose, Silicone dioxide, magnesium sterate in a vegetable capsule.

As I sit here typing I can feel the effects of my third dose for the evening giving me relief from a very bad attack. The Peripheral Neuropathy when acting up makes my right side mostly feel a lot of pressure in my leg and my feet feel tingly and have pressure on top where my foot feels like it has a tight shackle on it. My knee also feels a hot pressure above the knee cap on both knees but moree on the right side. Many nights I have sat up with a cold towel on my knees for relief from this condition. My doc knows about this and tells me to take it as needed.

I do find that my urine smells like amonia if I take to much.

I have type 2 diabetes and find it to be the problem for this Peripheral Neuropathy, also diagnosed about 2 years ago. I find that Cinnamon helps to control it and I don't take meds for it and avoid sugar at all costs.

Now on my bad days which I find some foods make it worse like today. So I start with 2 v caps of 200mg each right after supper. Then about 8pm I have another 2 caps. The pain starts to ease but then returns. 9pm I take another 2 caps, and then at 9:30pm another 2 caps. So that's a total of 1600mg in about 3.5 hours not to mention my regular 2 caps after lunch. That is on a bad day and for prevention I take it noon and supper at 2 caps per meal.

So in closing I am relieved that R+ALA seems to work well for me.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Liz (Boston, Ma) on 11/18/2015
★★★★★

Alpha Lipoic Acid is wonderful for neuropathy. It virtually eliminated mine.

I know that mentioning brand names is discouraged here, but I think I've been around long enough that EC knows I'm not 'pimping' anything, so I'll give it a shot. :)

I used to take Trader Joe's brand (100 mg capsules). They were inexpensive and effective!

I said that I 'used to' take them, because after approximately 6-9 months of my feet feeling 100% better, I stopped taking them (one less supplement to pay for and one less to gulp-down every day) and they've remained fine. It's been over a year!

I hope others try it and find that it works equally well for them.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Karen (Tampa, Fl) on 02/28/2013
★☆☆☆☆

Can anyone tell me the difference between R-alpha lipoic acid and plain alpha lipoic acid? I've been taking alpha lipoic acid for neuropathy 600 mgs/day with no results. Someone says they have resolved their neuropathy with R-lipoic acid. Call me confused..Thx.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky)
03/01/2013
2063 posts

Karen: R-alpha is the more bioavailable, hence more potent, form of Lipoic Acid. If you're not getting results from 600mg regular A.L.A. I would recommend other treatment options.

Replied by Connie
(Slc, Utah, Usa)
03/01/2013

Hi Karen; The neuropathy is probably a painful result of vitamin B12 deficiency. Treatment involves high doses, even injections, and can take a long time to heal (up to a year). Treatment of B12 deficiency is life-long.

Neuropathy is one of the many symptoms of B12 deficiency, and skin pigmentation changes is another; hyperpigmentation, and/or hypopigmentation, for instance. (I bring this up because I remember a post about discoloration of the feet.)

Good Wishes

Replied by Karen
(Tampa, Fl)
03/02/2013

Hello Connie, I had been taking B-12 at 1000 per day. I had my levels checked 6 months later and they were 1000 points over the normal. I have stopped taking it as I felt it is not the reason for my neuropathy..

Hello Timh, Are you saying try other forms of therapy such as benfotiamine, B-12, tumeric, l-carnitine, etc. Etc. Or are you saying try R-lipoic acid? There is not much I haven't tried. I have an option to get ALA by IV and may investigate it...

Thanks for your time and concern. God bless.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
03/03/2013
2063 posts

Karen: Assuming you do not know the exact cause of the Neuropathy, the nutritional trial method is your best treatment option. The R-Lipoic at maximum dose would be as close as you could get to I.V. Therapy. Also consider Magnetic Foot Pads or Insoles, they definitely help my Peripheral Neuropathy.

Have you been tested for Heavy Metals??? Maybe some detoxing would help also.

Let us know how your doing.

Replied by Connie
(Slc, Utah, Usa)
03/03/2013

Hi Karen; Unfortunately, the B12 serum test has done more damage than good to people's health.

Firstly, the typical range for normal is wrong. (way too low) Secondly, the serum measurement does not indicate at all the amount of B12 located in the spinal fluid, where it is necessary to be effective for nerves. Once someone begins supplementation, it is best to keep the serum levels above 1000 or much more. In fact, the serum levels will no longer indicate how the patient feels. Symptoms become the most important means of detecting one's healing.

I'm seeing this occurrance repeatedly, doctors are stopping B12 treatment for the very people who need it the most. This is medical mismanagement. It is very sad for me to have to see this happen to people. But it is a big money maker for Big Pharma. They will be able to sell alot more pain meds to suffering folks.

Replied by Prioris
(Fl, US)
10/01/2014
★★★★★

Neuropathy:

FYI Stabilized R-ALA will likely be more effective than R-Alpha Lipoic Acid.

Replied by Michelle
(Slc, Utah)
02/16/2017

High serum B12 can be caused by a functional B12 deficiency. In that condition, there is enough B12 in the body, but the cells are not able to use it properly, so they export it back to the blood, and it builds up.

Replied by Duh
(Here)
09/27/2017

That's a low dose for pain.. most use 1000mg/day just for energy. For liver disease 800-1600/day. For chronic pain ... I've read 2000-3000mg/day. Should be broken down 2-3 times a day ... 30 min before meals.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Jeffreyw65 (Lowell, Ma, Usa) on 01/24/2013
★★★★★

Hello, I am loving this site! I listen to am radio from our area where there doctors whom really push holistic medicine it works and it needs more pushing for the really bad sickness like I have been dealing with since I have had cancer. I love what I learn about the different sulliments for ailments. It is good to try them to see if they work for my ailment.

I just increased my intake of lipoic acid and my feet have been better and the meralgia paresthetica seems to be easing the sharp electrical shock shooting zaps. They are terrible and I am hoping to see if I can get off the pain meds and increase the dietary supplements that I have increased to help me get better. I have different ailments that have made me unable to get around so I will come back on here in 60 days and give a report on my status on my pain so keep looking for my feedback. Thanks Jeff from Lowell, type 2 diabetic with meralgia paesthetica and facet joint arthritus / upper thoraic arthritus philbitus and neuropathy from the pinced nerve is terrible. The color of my legs scares me there, a color that is bad like black and blue, so keep looking for me and wish me well. ok bye all


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Al (Alvena, Sk., Canada) on 11/04/2012
★★★★★

I have one mercury filling left and have been on ALA & ALCAR for two months now with no side effects. There is a cautionary that I saw in several places to not lay down for at least half an hour after taking ALA and I saw another one cautioning not to take it for a time period after mercury amalgam removal but haven't seen any saying to avoid it with mercury fillings in place. I saw my doctor today and really surprised him when I told him that I am off the pain killers and he saw the lack of gray in my hair. We discussed the heavy metal issue, chelation and mercury causing gray hair and he told me that heavy metals are naturally chelated out into your hair as a natural mechanism to protect the rest of your body and that is the reason that they test the hair to determine the amount of heavy metals in your body. They also test your urine to see how much is being removed at any given time. He also voiced the opinion that because of my first occupation as a steel fabricator/welder that I may have already been toxic with heavy metals resulting in the long term severe reaction to the chemotherapy and I would tend to agree with him. Has anyone else having neuropathy problems got premature gray hair from possible industrial exposure to heavy metals? If so, is the ALA helping the neuropathy and/or returning colour to your hair? By the way, I have improved enough that my motor and sensory nerves are almost completely functional now and I am going to work this coming week. Anyone wishing to contact me directly can do so at "gustafsonal(AT)hotmail. Com". Al

Replied by Tom
(Eu)
11/04/2012

Hi Al, Great to hear of your improvements. With regards to your wondering if the ALA was sending your hair back to its original colour I would think that maybe it is. I have included the following article which describes the relationship between ALA and ALCAR when used together. Bascially says that ALCAR can cause oxidative stress which is why it is usually teamed with ALA to counteract any negative impact on cells. I think it is basically the Good guy of the duo and may very well be what has caused your hair to go back to its original colour.

http://www.pponline.co.uk/encyc/alpha-lipoic-acid-and-acetyl-l-carnitine-can-they-improve-sports-performance-8

With regards to your wondering if it was welding that caused your hair to turn grey in your early years, all I can say to that is that I have an uncle and he has been welding for many years. He is now in his late seventies and last year he had to undergo an operation for a hole at the back of this eye - at least I think that's what it was, which he says he is nearly sure was caused by welding - this goes to show you how much welding he done over a lifetime, however he didn't actually turn grey until he was in his late forties/early fifties. But who knows maybe it's a case of horses for courses.

I have also included a link with regard to a forum on nerve regeneration which may/may not be of use to you, the first guy seems to be using supplements similar to that you use for nerve regeneration.

http://www.healthboards.com/boards/neuropathy/75917-anyone-experienced-nerve-regeneration.html

All I can say Al is that it is truly great to hear of your good news. I can't say that there seems to be much info out there results-wise for people in relation to ala/alcar and neuropathy so you seem to be a pioneer to some extent. Wishing you the best going back to work and hoping that you will keep us updated. Regards.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
11/11/2012

Tom from Eu, those are very interesting links, especially the first one. As far as the second one it seems that the site is not being maintained any more and I could not post to it. My neuropathy started with numbness and loss of motor nerves, then tingling and loss of sensory nerves followed by the onset of pain which peaked about a year or so after starting the chemo. What is strange is that my fingers healed as my feet and legs got worse. By the time I started on ALA the pain and numbness had receded to just my feet but I still had motor and sensory nerve issues in my legs. I was experiencing reduced pain with grape seed extract, I believe because of its antioxidant activity, and so am still taking that. Now that the nerves are functioning better I am to the point, with my feet, where I saw my fingers at in relation to pain a few months before they became just highly sensitive. My fingers are still quite sensitive but not to the point of being painful. I expect that within a month or two my toes and the soles of my feet will be at that stage. I believe that the nerves have actually regenerated and that the sensitivity I am experiencing is from the unconditioned state of the regenerated sensory nerves similar to that experienced after a cut or burn heals.

I went back to work driving a truck hauling containers to and from the rail. It involves a lot of climbing in and out of the truck and a lot of walking as well as about 3000 km of driving per week with 12 - 14 hour days and the only thing that really bothered me was wearing steel toed shoes at one rail yard.

I have also been switched from Lyrica to Cymbalta due to the vision blurring aspect of Lyrica. I am still seeing no improvement in the tinnitus. I have increased the dosage of ALA to 500mg twice a day in an attempt to speed the healing/chelating process. I have no idea if it is helping as I have nothing to compare it to. I do notice a substantial difference in pain now when I take the ALCAR unlike when I first started using it.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
11/20/2012
★★★★☆

Just an update for everyone. I had to switch back to Lyrica from Cymbalta due to a negative reaction. After reading the the information from the top link from Tim in Eu I considered the information about ALA being used to remove free radicals from ALCAR therapy and came to the conclusion that they might be better taken together to get the best effect and so have tried it. I have had no issues from doing so and have gone back to my original dosage to find that I have less pain now at the lower dosage. Almost all the numbness is gone now and I only have pain in my toes. It is aggravated by the job I am doing but is still improving and it is at a level that I can tolerate so I will keep at it for now. It almost seems like too much ALA & ALCAR can cause a higher level of the frozen/burning/pins and needles type of pain in the same way that pressure/activity can aggravate the sensory nerves with this condition. I have found a 5 mg sublingual B12 in the AOR brand and just started using two per day with promising results.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
03/02/2013

It is now six months since I started on ALA and four months since I went back to work. After about three months I hit a plateau where it seemed the improvement slowed down with all the supplements noted in my previous posts. I tryed the vitamin B12 at doses up to 40, 000 mcgs per day with some success and again hit a plateau. I stumbled across L-arginine, it is supposed to increase circulation, and added it to my regimen. I thought it would help by allowing more nutrients to get to my nerves but found that it actually improved things by making my feet feel warmer. I did some more research and found out that phosphorous is good for nerve health and went looking for phosphorous. I found it in a bone supplement with huge amounts of calcium included in it but tried it anyway. It is helping. I began to feel that something else was missing so I added in potassium and magnesium (at the same time) and am seeing beneficial results. The 'electric shock jolts' are now gone but I still have a small patch of numbness in the soles of my feet and a varying level of a burning sensation pain in my feet. I am not entirely healed yet but I am still improving and am working as much as 76 hours per week without issues. I have discontinued Lyrica as it no longer helps the tinnitus. I have also noticed that the timing of my medication/supplements is not critical any more. I take everything in the morning after breakfast and selected ones after supper which is usually about 15 hours later. I also find that if I move my toes around when they get painful that the pain is reduced fairly quickly now. My doctor informed me a couple of weeks ago that ALA is going to be available by prescription in Canada very soon for neuropathy.

My experience is telling me that we all need to try everything available and must utilize all of the vitamin and mineral supplements that can support nerves to promote healing in the quickest manner possible. I can now see that I will completely recover from my chemotherapy induced neuropathy in spite of being told by my neurologist that "where it is a year after chemo is as good as it will get". I am now 37 months from having started chemo and am still improving.

As I am now working full time and long hours, if anyone has specific questions for me, you may contact me directly at gustafsonal (at) hotmail {dot] com. Thank you. Al

Replied by Happy
(Up The Creek In, Wv, Usa)
03/03/2013

in response to: Al from Alvena, Sk., Canada: "It is now six months since I started on ALA ......."

Your symptoms sound like a classic case vitamin B6 over-dose. Read all the labels on all your multiple vitamin bottles, and eliminate all the b6 you find. The 'electric shock jolts' are a big clue.... So is the numbness. STOP THE B6 INTAKE. Root it out.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
03/12/2013

IMPORTANT UPDATE. I missed a dose of ALA and my feet improved a bit during the associated time so I haven't taken any for three days now. It seems that the ALA resulted in a major improvement by removing the heavy metals from my system but then stopped improving things. I saw further improvement every time I added a nerve nutrient to my regimen and then would hit another plateau. I think that the ALA was consuming the B vitamins and minerals faster than my body could absorb them and now that I haven't been taking the ALA any more I am seeing more improvement. It is noticeable in only three days. Perhaps we need to realize that there comes a point that we need to discontinue supplements when they are no longer needed/have done the job they were taken for.

To Happy from WV, USA, I no longer have the sharp shooting pain and just recently added a small dose of vitamin B6 that gave a small improvement. I am sure that the B6 is not a problem. The numbness at one point was up to my mid thigh in both legs and was also in my hands and face. My hands and face are better and I recognize the same sequence of improvement in my feet and legs. I only have a very small patch of numbness on the soles of my feet that is now affecting only my big toes and part of the mid sole area. the cold sensitivity is also improving in that cold doesn't cause as much pain increase now as it did in the past.

To Lily from Kelowna, BC. I don't think gluten is an issue. We don't use flour from modern wheat as my wife has/had celiac disease. I found out about some old varieties of wheat, Red Fife and Marquis, that have a different gluten structure than the dwarf wheat that is commonly grown now and that can be consumed by people with celiac disease. In fact my wife got rid of all symptoms of celiac disease in only six months by switching from gluten free to Red Fife wheat. We now use Red Fife and Marquis flour for all of our cooking and have it locally available at a local organic grower who has a Kelowna company mill it for him.

Thanks to everyone who has replied and given me ideas of things to try. I am still open to trying more supplements in the interest of completely curing this problem. I am sure that the time frame involved is making it more difficult for me than it could have been but I am claiming my life back after what I can only describe as a brutal and demoralizing three year disability thanks to supplements, vitamins and minerals that doctors and specialists that treated me knew nothing about. Don't ever give up. Stay positive to win the battle against poor health. Thanks also to the Earth Clinic site. Awesome. Al

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Saskatchewan, Canada)
09/22/2013
★★★★★

It is time for an update on my neuropathy. It is just over a year since I started ALA and it has totally changed my situation. The nerves are healed to the point that I have virtually no numbness left. I still have a substantial amount of pain due to the super sensitive nature of recently healed nerves. When I wake up in the morning now I am almost pain free but by the end of the day my feet feel like they are on fire. The intensity of the pain is dependent on how much walking/standing that I do with it being worse with more walking. To give you an idea of how sensitive my sensory nerves are, I can feel every chamber of my heart contract and can also feel muscles in my thighs moving past each other. I expect the nerves to eventually toughen up and for the associated pain to be alleviated. Large doses of vitamin B12 seem to help the most and I just started taking yucca yesterday to alleviate the inflammation that results from walking. It is too soon to know if the yucca is helping but I am expecting that it will. I have most of my motor function back. All that is not back is some in my toes. TRY EVERYTHING THAT MIGHT HELP. Grasp at the straws. One or more may help. Several have helped me. Al

Replied by Art
(Vancouver Bc, Canada)
09/24/2013
★★★★★

Dear Al.

I am so glad to hear about your success with the ALA. I have had great success with it as well with the burning sensation just above my knees and pressure aches on both wrist. I was taking 2x250mg with every meal and then I discovered I only need to take it at noon and supper. Without this my life would be hellish painful. It was your posts that got me started on the ALA. I did try the R factor ALA with little success.

Art.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
09/30/2013
★★★★★

I have been using the yucca for just over a week and am seeing amazing results. While the nerves in my feet are super sensitive, which results in swelling and high levels of pain, I am now seeing a substantial reduction in the swelling and pain with the yucca.

For those of you who are wondering what I am using, I am now taking:

ALA-200 mg/day, grape seed extract-200mg/day, B12 sublingual-30, 000mcg/day, benfotiamine, B3, folic acid, curcumin, chromium, copper, magnesium, manganese, potassium, phosphorous, fenugreek, acetyl-l-carnitine, l-lysine, vitamin C, vitamin D and yucca.

I may have missed some and don't know the dosages of all of them as I am not at home right now. If anyone has any specific questions please contact me directly at gustafsonal (at) hotmail (dot) com. Thank you and don't give up.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Al (Alvena, Sk., Canada) on 11/04/2012

ALA will make your heart race if you have overactive thyroid problems and/or are on thyroid medication(s). You should maybe get your thyroid gland checked out and that might even fix your neuropathy. Most ALA labels caution about using it with thyroid medications.

Replied by Diane
(Oregon)
06/12/2017

Thanks for the information about alpha lipoic acid, I thought it was just me. I have heart problems as well as NP, so that is good to know.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Danielle Renee (Ocean Shores, Wa) on 10/09/2012
★★★★★

I want to share how beautifully Alpha Lipoic Acid has worked for Diabetic Neuropathy pains. I take 300mgs three times a day and it has taken the burning and sharp shooting pains away, and my blood sugars and H1C are a lot lower. I consider it a miracle supplement.


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Al (Alvena, Saskatchewan, Canada) on 09/03/2012
★★★★☆

I developed peripheral neuropathy from an overdose of Oxalyplatin in chemotherapy for stage 3 colon cancer in February of 2010. It affected my upper palate, hands and legs up to my mid thigh. I have been on Gabapentin, 3600 mg/day, for an extended period of time and then found out it was increasing my blood sugar by 15.0 with a single 300 mg dose so was switched to Lyrica instead. I have also been on narcotic pain killers along with the others and at times nothing would touch the pain or numbness and when nerve testing was done the doctors could not believe that I could still walk as there was zero sensory and zero motor nerve conduction. I had to look where I was putting my feet as I could not feel where I was putting them. I have been very slowly and steadily healing in spite of being put into a diabetic condition by the Gabapentin.

I read about alpha Lipoic acid in an article about fat loss/muscle building with a relationship to insulin sensitivity and it listed five ingredients of which ALA was one. When I looked at ALA in the search engine and read that it would cure neuropathy and that it is used to reduce the side effects of Oxaliplatin in chemotherapy I picked some up and started using it on 1 September 2012. I immediately noticed an improvement in my feet( the only currently affected area). It was so dramatic of a change that I discontinued all other medications to see what it did by itself. I have spent a couple of sleepless nights due to pain and have started using my other medications again today. Other than Lyrica and Hydromorph contin I take grape seed extract, fenugreek, St. John's Wort, milk thistle, glucosamine and condroitin sulfate with MSM, vitamin D, B12, curcumin, Motrin, and Apo-Temazepam for a sleeping pill. After less than 4 hours since resuming my other medications with ALA my feet are about 75% better than they were three days ago.

Is there anything else that I should be taking to speed the healing/reduce the pain and numbness? Please reply directly to gustafsonal(at)hotmail.com. Thank you. Al

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
09/03/2012

Hi Al... I think it would benefit your condition if you also took the whole spectrum of B vitamins (either as B50 or B100 complex or as De-bittered Brewer's Yeast forms) which contain Choline, B3, B6, Folate and many other nutrients which would benefit the CNS system. Higher dose B12 is also beneficial to many body processes including the nervous system. For more on the benefits of B12 read David Brownstein's book -- Vitamin B12 for Health. Adding the Gotu Kola herb and higher dose Vitamin C to your regimen would also help to accelerate nerve repair. Adding higher dose niacin(not niacinamide) would also greatly benefit you blood transport system and make it more efficient. Niacin actually changes and thins out the blood safely and the flushing effect of niacin is evdence that the capillaries and peripheral blood vessels are opening up for better delivery of the nutrients you are taking to the body peripherals -- ie to the hands and feet regions. Take 500 mgs niacin twice a day after meals dissolved in half a glass of water for best absorption into the body.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
09/04/2012
2063 posts

Al, Zinc is very important for healing to occur throughout the body and also boost immunity. Another very important nutrient is the Omega 3 Fatty Acids like Fish and Krill Oil. Flax Seed Oil is converted into the EFA's that the body needs in order to reduce inflammation and promote healing. A native crop in Canada, you should find Flax Oil readily and at a good price in your grocer.

Hope this helps.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
09/11/2012

I was trying to find the Gotu Kola herb at the same time as I found the ALA but it seems to be unavailable here (in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan). I had to order acetyl-l-Carnitine and benfotiamine as no one had them in stock but could not order the Gotu Kola. Al

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk.,canada)
09/11/2012

I know about flax seed oil. It requires the protein that is in cottage cheese to be mixed with it before consuming to get the maximum benefits. I was at stage 3 with colon cancer when I had the tumour removed and shortly after went on the "Budwig Diet" which is based on flax seed oil(3 tbsp) and cottage cheese(1/2 cup) once daily. I blended them together and added liquid honey and cocoa powder to taste with some extra liquid to make a smoothy for breakfast. This diet is purported to directly attack cancer. Five weeks later all the oversize lymph nodes were back to normal size(that is when I started chemotherapy). I think this indicated that the cancer was gone and thus the overdose of oxaliplatin which damages nerves and the islands in the pancreas especially with a lack of cancer to attack. I have been cancer free for over two years now and only have to overcome the resulting neuropathy to get back to a productive life. Al

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
09/14/2012
★★★★☆

I am amazed at how good this is working. After 13 days of taking alpha lipoic acid I have had my pain reduced enough to quit taking hydro morph contin and I actually have less pain and numbness now than when I started taking ALA even with being off the narcotic pain killers. I am picking up my benfotiamine and acetyl-l-Carnitine on Friday the 14th. If it helps even half as much as the ALA I will be back to work in a few weeks. We need to make chemo patients aware of this as much as possible. Al

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
09/14/2012

I got my dad, 75 years old, started on ALA on Sunday, 9 September 2012 and he is already seeing enough improvement that he went to town yesterday and bought enough for four months. He has had increasing levels of pain in his feet for years (cause not known) and has been using full leg air pressure massage for four hours a day for years to remain walking. He is talking about being able to discontinue that therapy and it has only been five days to get to that point. Al

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
09/15/2012
2063 posts

Al, good to hear of you and your dad's success with ALA; and it's good for immune system, blood sugar, and liver health. Please specify how many mg dose? how many times daily? as it can help set a standard for other interested users.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
09/16/2012

First, Bill, my blood pressure is normal as for an 18 year old @ 160 pounds and I am 6 feet tall, 330 lbs and 53 years old. I do not feel it would be right for me to take anything that would lower my blood pressure. What would you say to that re: niacin?

Tim, we are both taking 250 mg of ALA twice daily. I also started taking 500 mg of ALCAR twice daily yesterday and it seems to be helping.

Something quite interesting, when my dad stocked up on Wednesday the supplier told him that ALA would stop Alzhymer's disease immediately. Had we known about that sooner one of my aunts would still be with us. Have also heard that coconut oil helps Alzhymer's disease. Does anyone know if coconut oil contains ALA. If so it would probably be an excellent topical for neuropathy. Al

Replied by Bill
(San Fernando, Philippines)
09/16/2012

Hi Al... I am 196 pounds and also 6 feet in height. My blood pressure is currently 110 (systolic) and 70 (diastolic). Since I started taking higher orthomolecular dosages of niacin, my blood pressure hasn't changed at all (I measure it myself every week). This is in line with what Abram Hoffer has said in his articles -- he maintains that particularly niacin (not niacinamide) balances high cholesterol and high blood pressure safely and I guess my experience with niacin is a confirmation of that. For blood pressure/cholesterol problems niacin is the one to supplement.

I take orthomolecular doses of niacin because it is anti-aging and helps so many other processes in the body (together with the rest of the B vits). Abram Hoffer was also sure that you would live longer if you took proper orthomolecular dosages of niacin every day. For most of his life, Hoffer also admits that he took between 0. 5 and 6 grams of niacin/niacinamide himself daily and he lived to the ripe age of 92. He has also documented that taking 0. 5 to 3 grams of niacin/niacinamide is the proper orthomolecular dose for a healthy person, depending on how good your diet is.

The current RDA recommendations for vitamin B3 is about 16 mgs a day.

Replied by Timh
(Louisville, Ky, Usa)
09/17/2012
2063 posts

Al, thanks for your informative responses. As for ALA, I don't think it's endogenous in foods as it is a coenzyme that the body creates from nutrients like B vitamins and sulfur amino acids like Cysteine, as well as some minerals. Another coenzyme you might want to consider supplementing is CoQ10 or Ubiquinol as it works in the body differently than ALA, especially for heart health.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
09/18/2012

Bill, not only is my blood pressure good, but my good cholesterol is high and my bad cholesterol is low. I believe it is a result of trimming fat from food since I was young. I do not butter bread and I trim the fat from bacon as well as cooking with water, skinning poultry before cooking and eating lots of vegetables.

Timh, I have tried CoQ10 and felt no change in my health. I have no idea if it did me any good or not but I am in a very tight financial situation so even getting ALA & ALCAR & Benfotiamine means putting off paying utility bills. My monthly budget for everything comes out of an income of less than Canadian $900. That has to cover maintaining a home(paid for) and maintaining, licencing and fueling a vehicle as I live 45 miles from the nearest city. I am hoping that the improvements I have seen so far continue at the same rate and allow me to get back to work and my normal income quite soon.

I am seeing a small improvement with the benfotiamine and a significant improvement with ALCAR but the ALA is just phenomenal. Al

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
10/07/2012

I have now been using ALA for just five weeks and am off all pain medications now. I stopped taking Lyrica for numbness and pain blocking yesterday. I am anticipating a full recovery very soon.

I do have a question about the acetyl-l-carnitine. I am wondering if it would be better to take it a few hours prior to the ALA or a few hours after as my research tells me that it helps to absorb the ALA and other nutrients. There was also mention that it heals the "hairs" in your digestive tract. Perhaps it should be taken before bed with minimal liquid and allowed to stay in your digestive tract for a prolonged period for best results. Can anyone expound on this topic?

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
10/08/2012

I had to go back on Lyrica after two days without it due to the increased volume of my tinnitus and a very chilled feeling in feet and legs up to my mid thigh area. Has anyone else experienced this as the pain of neuropathy dissipates and/or found something that helps for it? The Lyrica affects my vision and I am unable to take gabapentin due to how it increases my blood sugar. Any substitute would be appreciated or even knowledge that more time on ALA & ALC would improve it.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
10/22/2012

Well, it is now fifty days that I have been on ALA & ALCAR plus benfotiamine, zinc and B vitamins. The only thing not improving is the tinnitus but the peripheral neuropahy is reduced by over 90% from where it was. I am starting to claim back a normal life and am working on getting back into good physical condition by catching up on projects that were left to die because of the pain and lack of mobility. It actually feels good to get sore muscles and become exhausted once in a while.

I will add another positive note here. I have been going gray since I was 29 and now at 53 the gray hair is disappearing (80% of gray gone from what was about 70% gray) due to the natural color returning. It is actually coming darker in my beard than it ever was before and about the same shade of brown in the rest of my hair as it was before. Is this combination of supplements the fabled "fountain of youth"? Is anyone else noticing a change in hair color?

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
10/23/2012

Corinne, I now believe that the chill I feel when I quit taking Lyrica is a result of nerves that are still healing. I think that it was platinum from the cisplatin in chemotherapy that was causing the intense pain in my feet and that is being reduced by the chelation effect of the ALA. I think that in time I will be able to get rid of the chilled feeling/lower level of pain by continuing with the same supplement and good diet regimen that I am now using.

Replied by Connie
(Slc, Ut)
10/23/2012

Hi Al; This is great news! From what little I understand about inorganic chemistry, I understand that too much of one trace metal can collect and displace others. ( trouble-neuropathy )

I've read that a side effect of cisplatin is oxidative stress with glutathione depletion.

So, I can understand how the ALA can help on these levels, as it both chelates metals, and helps to increase glutathione, a most powerful antioxidant.

I'm glad you are healing!

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
10/25/2012

Connie, it is actually working so good that I am actively looking for a job. I currently have two offers, both to start in November and at the rate of improvement I am seeing that should work out about right. I might even go back driving long haul and get to see a little more of the US. I have only seen a little bit of it in about 900,000 miles of driving down there. I kind of miss it as my last load that I hauled came out of Texas and that was over three years ago.

Replied by Mick
(Europe)
10/30/2012

Hi Al, Great to hear of your improvements. I am wondering if you are still needing to take the Lyrica. Also wondering if you found any interference/interaction with the medication when you first started supplementing. Can you state which brand of Ala/AlC you use or even where you get them. Once again great to hear of your news. Mick

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
11/02/2012

Mick, I have been using the NOW brand of ALA at 250 mg 2x per day and started off with ALCAR 500 mg x2 twice a day & benfotiamine 80 mg once a day as I had to order them and that is what they got in for me. I have since found acetyl-l-carnitine labeled as L-Carnitine in two different brands on the shelf. I buy my supplements at local health food stores/organic markets. One caution about ALA is that you should read the label and only get what says to take with food or after meals. If it says to take without food it usually has an additive to increase absorption that can cause side effects. Look to see what they are and research them. I also take zinc and B12, along with curcumin for the pancreas, milk thistle for the liver, D3(5000iu/day) for general health, grape seed extract for pain relief, grapefruit seed extract for a topical fungus infection, glucosamine and condroitin sulfate with MSM for arthritis(almost gone) and a steadily reducing amount of gliclazide MR to stimulate my pancreas to produce insulin(pancreas was damaged by chemo and gabapentin but is healing well now).

It is now two months since I started on ALA & ALCAR which was 31 months after I started chemotherapy with oxaliplatin and 30 months from when the numbness, pain and tingling started and I am going back to work full time next week which is a lot less than the five years I was anticipating with the former rate of improvement. I am not completely healed but the pain and numbness is at a tolerable level and such that I do not feel that it will be a safety issue. I now walk almost completely normally and can feel with my feet again and no longer look like a drunk when I walk. Al

Aim1
(West Chester, Pa)
11/03/2012

Can you double check the amount of b12 you are taking? You have it as mg, but I think (hope) you mean mcg. Big difference.

Replied by Art
(Vancouver Bc, Canada)
11/02/2012

Dear Al from Sask, I want to thank you for your posts. I have neuropathy to where my toes, fingers and the bottom of my feet are very sensitive. I also have a burning sensation at the top of my knee caps that travels up about six inches. That burning pain drove me to the doctor where he wanted to give me a script for gabapentin but I refused. I found out about B12 under the tounge and the burning in my knees calmed down. I was up to 12 x 2500mg sublingual a day for relief. I then discovered Spirulina at 18 teaspoon a day and that seemed to help me reduce the B12 to a couple a day. Then I started to get dizzy spells so I stoped the spirulina and then I was increasing the B12 again. I then discovered your posts about ALA. I got some and what a difference, My feet are no longer sensitive and it doesn't hurt to clip my toe nails any longer.

I have been on the ALA for about 1 month now and I find I am sleeping better. Now I have to cut back on the ALA at 100mg a capsule taken with food. It did cause me gastric pain at 5 caps a day and my prostate felt like it was being sandwiched between my rectum and my bladder. I got relief right away when I cut back. Now I am taking 2 caps a day at 100mg each. I am down to one to 3 B12 at 2500mg sublingual every night and my burning sensation is gone. I know its not cured but at least I can sleep now and that alone is a miracle.

I can't thank earth clinic enough for this.

Art
(Vancouver Bc, Canada)
11/05/2012

I am making a correction to my post about the strength of B12 I am taking. It is 2500mcg subligual each caplet but I sure do wish I could find some in the mg dosage. I would also like to state that certain foods can cause a reaction to my neuropathy to where I am taking the B12 like candy, but for the most part ALA has really helped. art.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
11/11/2012

Art from Vancouver, could you tell us what foods are aggravating your neuropathy? It could help us to avoid them too and maybe even get a better understanding of what is causing the problem. Thanks, Al

Replied by Art
(Vancouver Bc., Vancouver)
11/14/2012

Yes Al, I can tell you one of the foods that I was consuming that is causing the neuropathy was the artificial sweetener splenda. I just googled that today and WOW that stuff is poison and I didn't know. Any peanuts would also cause the knee pain and it seemed like greek yougert, ice cream peanut buttercup flavor and other protien based foods were doing it as well. By bedtime my legs were well heated up. I have cut back on all of this. The splenda is in the garbage as of today and I have switched to stevia in my coffee. I also discovered that the B12 should be taken on an empty stomach which I wasn't doing. I can now take the time released B12 without getting very itchy red spots on my legs. I chew one 1000mcg late at night washing it down with water. Just took one now and had two 2500mcg sublingual early today. The night time is when this really becomes a problem while trying to sleep. I don't want to jinx it but last night was the first night in a long time I got a good sleep, touch wood.

My knees seem to be cooling as I type this at 12:24 am.

Take care. art.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
11/15/2012

Art from Vancouver, is it just non meat protein or is it all protein that bothers you? I changed my diet many years ago after reading the book "Eat Right For Your Type" as I have B Negative blood and that fixed a lot of problems. Some foods that I didn't care for were listed as ones that I should not eat as well as the opposite. Maybe you should check it out.

Replied by Art
(Vancouver Bc, Canada)
11/16/2012

I had some blueberry cheese cake and now that I did I can recall any cheese cake will cause an episode with my knees being agrivated. Only off the splenda for two days and sleeping better. art

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
12/02/2012
★★★★★

3 months now since I started ALA & ALCAR and I have been working full time - just around 60 hours per week in the log book. I am quite surprised at how well I am doing. At the end of the first week I was exhausted, partially due to icy roads on days 4 & 5, and thought I would need to take a break midweek for a few weeks but kept at it and didn't need to. I still have a bit of pain, tingling and numbness but it is still receding. I expect that it will take many months to completely recover if I ever do. I am maintaining my supplement regimen but have reduced the Lyrica by 50% a week ago, resulting in an increase in the pain level, and have also reduced the amount of Diamicron MR that I am taking by 50% as well due to the blood sugar getting too low, a good indication that the curcumin and Diamicron MR are actually healing the pancreas as I am healing the neuropathy. Maybe the two are complementary. I saw another acquaintance today that I hadn't seen since June and he didn't recognize me due to my hair colour returning. Onwards and upwards.

Replied by Art
(Vancouver Bc, Canada)
02/08/2013
★★★★★

Update on taking ALA for Neuropathy.

I am taking one 100mg. At breakfast and one at supper, and one or two B12 2500mcg before bedtime. The burning in my knees has almost gone and things are settled to near normal. I am not cured but as long as I don't forget to take my ALA twice a day I am fine. If I do forget I am in for a night of torment with burning skin on my upper knees. I have been getting chills these last couple of months after taking Chanca Piedra for stomach issues, but will forge on since summer is near.

Art

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
04/09/2013

To Art from Vancouver, BC. I realized today that peanuts were causing pain in my feet, thanks to what I recalled from your posting. Also remember seeing another post about peanuts having l-arginine in them. I looked up l-arginine on Wikipedia and found out that it is related to aspartic acid (Aspartame). There is a list of other foods there that contain it. I have B neg blood and most of what is listed are foods that I should not eat according to the book EAT RIGHT FOR YOUR TYPE by Peter J. D'Adamo. I would recommend that anyone with neuropahy look l-arginine up on Wikipedia.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
04/21/2013

After realizing that peanuts (l-arginine) were bothering me I got some l-lysine and a week ago I started taking 1000mg twice a day and have seen another significant improvement in the pain level in my feet. I am getting close to curing this problem. It seems that the platinum in the chemo destroyed the nerve sheath but left the nerves intact and "shorted out". The alpha lipoic acid apparently stops the further decay of the nerve sheath by eliminating heavy metals from the body and the rest of the nutrients I have used are actually rebuilding the nerve sheaths. It has been a long, painful experience that I dread anyone else suffering through. I encourage you to try everything that might help. Some things will make it better and some will make it worse. Not everything works the same for everyone so be aware that experimentation is necessary and can be frustrating. Don't give up. It is over three years now since my problems started and I am still improving. Al

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
10/20/2013

I read over the entire postings on neuropathy to see if I was missing anything. I noticed that someone posted about MSM and Lecithin being used together and I had noticed that after eating a chocolate bar that my feet would often improve for a while. I have been taking glucosamine with condroitin sulfate and MSM for quite a while for cartilage repair-tears and arthritis-so I added Lecithin to my supplements as well and it seems to be helping. It is amazing how being deficient in one or several nutrients can delay/prevent healing or even cause health problems. Don't discount anything without trying it first. You may get a very pleasant surprise. I have been lucky enough to have had several pleasant surprises with nutritional supplements and am looking forward to more. I have found out that some may not work by themselves and have as a result discovered the value of experimentation. I recommend that everybody experiment to find what works for them. Start with a little and increase if it helps.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Saskatchewan, Canada)
02/02/2014

Good news, I am now off of all pain killers that I was using for neuropathy. I am still taking some vitamins and minerals to support the nerves but only as part of a healthy diet and not to fix a problem. I still have a bit of tingling in my feet and lower legs but I attribute that to sensitivity of newly healed nerves. I am able to walk normally and the strength is returning in my toes now which indicates that the motor nerves are all working and have been for a while. The cold sensitivity has subsided and I am looking forward to a relatively normal life. I have found that birch and/or wintergreen oils also help to reduce tingling due to neuropathy, apparently by reducing inflammation. I use a few drops topically on my arms daily. It has taken a long time to heal due to the severity of my neuropathy and the time between chemotherapy and starting ALA but it has healed the nerves. Considering I was told by a neurologist that it wouldn't improve any more after a year from the end of chemotherapy I am quite pleased.

Replied by Art
(Vancouver Bc Canada)
02/06/2014

Al, it is good to hear about your recovery using the ALA.

Will you keep on using it now that you consider yourself cured?

I have made great strides using the R+ALA so that I can take it with out food for those troubled times in the evening.

I have recently switched to R+NAC+SR 500mg with food at lunch and supper, reason being to help with the Liver. Have not seen that much difference and will eventually switch back to the R+ALA when depleted.

One night recently my feet felt like they were beaten with a hose at bedtime and the R+ALA gave me great relief at around 12:30am. So it really does work and I am glad for that, but when I switch back to it I can see using it to the end of days.

Thanks again Al for your input.

ART.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Sk., Canada)
01/22/2015

I just received an email from a lady in the UK asking for an update and telling me that the last one was in 2013. I have been busy working long hours, sometimes over 340 hours in a month. The neuropathy is still improving, but extremely slowly. All I use for pain relief now is geranium oil, topically on my hands and forearms. It a natural anti inflammatory and has no known side effects. I still feel I am missing a nutrient or two to finish curing my neuropathy. I try everything that might help and am in the process of checking out one more nutrient with my doctor and hope to try it within a few days. If it helps I will give a further update and let you know what it is and how to use it. The posting I found it in quoted a medical journal entry from the 1840's. New is not always new and maybe old is better. Al

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Saskatchewan, Canada)
03/04/2015
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Another update. I recently had surgery to remove the right lobe of my liver. This was due to matastatic colon cancer and as a result my blood pressure has gone up resulting in other problems including reduced energy and increased neuropathic pain. I noticed that when I had something sweet to eat like jam, cake, candy, etcetera that the neuropathic pain was reduced substantially so I started experimenting. When doing anything slightly strenuous my blood pressure and sugar would drop and my pulse would go way up so the first thing I tried was leaving out the diamacron and metformin. This allowed the sugar to increase and gave me back my energy without my blood pressure and pulse being significantly affected, but the sugar went too high so I added the metformin back in.

Big surprise!!!! The neuropathic pain went way down, more than eating something sweet made it go down. As a result I typed "diamacron" into google and clicked on "diamacron side effects" and found out that it causes neuropathic pain, conflicts with metformin, is not supposed to be used if you have liver problems, are having or recently had surgery. None of this was covered in the pharmacy information sheet I was provided. The warning is not about alpha lipoic acid, but rather it is about the diamacron prescription medication and what it does. Eliminating it has made a huge difference. I have not as yet tried the nicotine but will be soon. Al

Replied by Timh
(KY)
03/05/2015
2063 posts

AL: Glad to see you are using your brain to help work out these pressing issues. I am in a constant state of tweaking any treatment or therapy to maximize benefit and minimize harm.

Several months ago I also reported not reading some very critical info on Statin drugs that was not included in the fact sheet from pharmacy. Two items in particular is Statins can and do produce nerve damage resulting in neuropathy, and can and do (in a certain percentage of people) produce pulmonary fibrosis. Well, here I am already w/ both these conditions so I could only surmise a worsening; which was evident particularly in the neuropathy as I had the choice of continuing the medication (and even at 50 or more % lower prescribed dose) and going down from a cane to a walker to a wheelchair or discontinue.

There is lots of Cancer info here on E.C. for the cancer so I hope you can get exact on that and get well again. There are some good Youtube vids on self-applied Ozone for rectal administration.

As for the Neuropathy, there is some promising research lately on a natural nutrient, a nucleotide Inosine for rebuilding nerves which is helping in cases like Parkinson's.

Replied by Al
(Alvena, Saskatchewan, Canada)
03/04/2015
★☆☆☆☆

WARNING!

Another update. I recently had surgery to remove the right lobe of my liver. This was due to matastatic colon cancer and as a result my blood pressure has gone up resulting in other problems including reduced energy and increased neuropathic pain. I noticed that when I had something sweet to eat like jam, cake, candy, etcetera that the neuropathic pain was reduced substantially so I started experimenting. When doing anything slightly strenuous my blood pressure and sugar would drop and my pulse would go way up so the first thing I tried was leaving out the diamacron and metformin. This allowed the sugar to increase and gave me back my energy without my blood pressure and pulse being significantly affected, but the sugar went too high so I added the metformin back in. Big surprise!!!! The neuropathic pain went way down, more than eating something sweet made it go down. As a result I typed "diamacron" into google and clicked on "diamacron side effects" and found out that it causes neuropathic pain, conflicts with metformin, is not supposed to be used if you have liver problems, are having or recently had surgery. None of this was covered in the pharmacy information sheet I was provided. The warning is not about alpha lipoic acid, but rather it is about the diamacron prescription medication and what it does. Eliminating it has made a huge difference. I have not as yet tried the nicotine but will be soon. Al


Alpha Lipoic Acid
Posted by Charles555nc (Winston Salem, Nc, Usa) on 08/06/2012
★★★★★

Alpha lipoic acid is a great supplement for neuropathy. However there should be precautions. Only take a max of 100mg alpha lipoic acid every 4 hours, or it will mobilize too much mercury for you to handle.

Alpha Lipoic acid also burns through methylation agents and Zinc. Methyl agents are methyl b12, methyl folate, other b vitamins... so you should supplement with those, periodically, at least 3 hours before and 3 hours after your next dose of ALA.



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