Diabetes is characterized by raised levels of glucose in the bloodstream and over time these elevated levels can lead to damage to the bodies tissues resulting in visual deterioration, blindness, kidney disease, and nerve damage.
One manifestation of that nerve damage is called ‘peripheral neuropathy’. This condition usually affects the feet and lower legs, and can result in numbness (this can lead to diabetics damaging their feet without even knowing it) and/or abnormal sensations such as phantom feelings of heat, pain, or pins and needles.
The most straightforward approach to reducing the risk of diabetic complications like peripheral neuropahty is, of course, to get your blood sugar control. The key being to limit the consumption of foods that tend to disrupt those blood sugar levels.
However, I was interested to read about a recent study in which individuals with diabetic neuropathy were treated with micronutrients (vitamin and minerals) [1]. In this study, 67 individuals with diabetic neuropathy were treated with one of three regimes:
Group 1
- 20mg zinc
- 250 mg magnesium
- 200 mg vitamin C
- 100 mg vitamin E
Group 2
- 20mg zinc
- 250 mg magnesium
- 200 mg vitamin C
- 100 mg vitamin E
- 10 mg vitamin B1
- 10 mg vitamin B2
- 200 micrograms biotin
- 10 micrograms vitamin B12
- 1 mg folic acid
Group 3
- Placebo
After four months, individuals in groups 1 and 2 had seen very significant reductions in neuropathic symptoms, while those taking placebo did not. This was in contrast to medical testing of neuropathy, which showed no improvement. Neither blood sugar control nor nerve function were improved either.
As the authors of this study concluded, these results suggest that micronutrient supplementation might help diabetic neuropathy symptoms. Nutrient supplementation represents a low-cost, low-risk and relatively hassle-free way to perhaps combat this common and troublesome diabetic complication.
References:
1. Farvid MS, et al. “Improving neuropathy scores in type 2 diabetic patients using micronutrients supplementation.” Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011 Apr 13. [Epub ahead of print]
About the author
Dr. Briffa is a former columnist for the Daily Mail and the Observer, and is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines. He is a former recipient of the Health Journalist of the Year award in the UK. He has written 6 books on the subject of nutrition and natural health and has been a major contributor to 3 others.
Dr. Briffa lectures internationally to corporations, members of the public and health professionals, and is a regular guest on radio and TV.
You can read more at www.drbriffa.com.