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Natural Treatments for Diabetic Neuropathy

Neuropathic pain is a complication of both Type 1 (juvenile) and Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes. Neuropathic pain is frequently described as tingling in the extremities (arms, hands, feet and legs) with accompanying numbness. Natural treatments have been shown to be beneficial in helping to relieve many of the symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathic pain, and some can even help improve nerve function.

  1. Vitamin B6

    • Vitamin B6 can help diabetic neuropathic pain because of the link between diabetic nerve disease and pyridoxine deficiency. One study on B6 deficiency and diabetic neuropathy, conducted in the 1970s, found that Vitamin B6 supplementation offers significant protection against the development of diabetic nerve disease, since those with neuropathy frequently are deficient in B6.

    Magnesium

    • Magnesium is an important nutrient which is involved in hundreds of metabolic enzymes, including the communication of nerve signals in the brain and throughout the body, as well as helping to relax the muscles. Linda Rapson, a doctor in Canada, frequently suggests magnesium supplements to her patients. Dr. Rapson states: "Virtually all of them improve when I put them on magnesium; it may sound too good to be true, but it's a fact." She adds: "The scientific community should take a good hard look at this."

    EFAs

    • Supplement with Evening Primrose Oil which contains essential fatty acids (EFAs). Since our body is unable to manufacture EFA's, we must obtain them either through our diet or through supplementation. Gamma-linolenic acid, also referred to as GLA, is one of the essential fatty acids that has been used to help treat diabetic neuropathic pain. A study published in 2000 found that GLA is able to prevent or reverse diabetic neuropathy.

    Alpha Lipoic Acid

    • Alpha lipoic acid has been used in Europe for more than two decades to help treat diabetes and its accompanying complications, including neuropathy, with positive results, according to a report published in Drug Week in April 2005.

    Vitamin E

    • Vitamin E has been effective in helping treat the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. A study in 1998 was conducted involving 21 individuals with diabetic neuropathic pain, and the conclusion was that supplementing with Vitamin E can help improve mild to moderate nerve-type pain.

    Capsaicin

    • Try topical capsaicin. Capasicin is a substance derived from chili peppers which has been used successfully as a topical analgesic for many years. Capasicin has also been demonstrated to reduce substance P, the chemical that is responsible for sending pain signals to the brain. Research into the benefits of capasicin were addressed in a study from 2003, and if was found that those using capasicin experienced statistically significant improvements in pain severity, pain relief and activities of daily living.

    Acetyl-L-carnitine

    • Acetyl-L-carnitine is one of the amino acids, and supplementation for those with diabetic neuropathic pain has been shown to be beneficial. A study published in 1995 demonstrated that acetyl-l-carnitine supplementation could improve nerve function.

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