It has been proposed that cocoa has hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and thus, potentially have a beneficial direct or indirect effect on diabetic neuropathy.
Smoking constricts the blood vessels that supply nutrients to the peripheral nerves and can worsen neuropathic symptoms. Exercise can deliver more blood, oxygen, and nutrients to far-off nerve endings, improve muscle strength, and limit muscle atrophy.
Neuropathy patients can often find themselves with lower levels of B12. It's important to eat foods high in B12, such as eggs, milk or cheese.
High blood sugar can lead to nerve damage called diabetic neuropathy. You can prevent it or slow its progress by keeping your blood sugar as close to your target range as possible and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Managing your blood sugar is an essential part of your diabetes care plan.
Controlling blood sugar levels from the earliest stages of diabetes is one way to prevent diabetic neuropathy. It can reduce the risk of nerve damage by over 50%, according to the Joslin Diabetes Center.
Alcohol – Alcohol is a toxin that can damage nerve cells and worsen neuropathy symptoms. It is best to avoid alcohol if you are living with neuropathy. caffeine – Caffeine can irritate the nerves and make neuropathy symptoms worse. It is best to limit or avoid caffeine if you are experiencing nerve pain.
Here are a few of the benefits water provides to those suffering from neuropathy: Water helps reduce inflammation. This is a big one, as inflammation is a big problem for many who suffer from neuropathy, and reducing inflammation can provide relief.
Vitamin B12
It's been shown that even high doses of vitamin B12 can potentially repair damaged nerves. Good sources of vitamin B12 are yogurt, fatty fish such as salmon, cod, and sardines.
Certain foods, such as berries, almonds, and tomatoes, have properties that naturally ease the inflammation that's often linked to chronic pain. Whole foods and vegetables are also loaded with essential nutrients that can encourage tissues healing and minimize discomfort from nerve damage.
Caffeine is a stimulant that can interfere with nerve signals and worsen the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. This includes beverages such as coffee, tea, and energy drinks. It is best to limit your intake of caffeine if you have peripheral neuropathy.
Berries, peaches, cherries, red grapes, oranges and watermelon, among others, are loaded with antioxidants, which help to decrease inflammation and reduce nerve damage. Plus, grapes, blueberries and cranberries have been found to be full of a powerful anti-inflammatory compound called resveratrol.
Replacing those items with foods that contain unsaturated fats, such as fish, peanut butter, avocados, olives, almonds, plant-based oils and seeds, can be beneficial.
Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can reduce neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.
In conclusion, six-week honey treatment helped in reducing dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Honey given along with insulin for six-weeks improved sensory nerve conduction velocity in experimental diabetic neuropathy Wistar rats.
Brain health: Eggs contain vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the brain and the nervous system to function effectively. Energy production: Eggs contain all the nutrients that the body needs to produce energy.
Get Enough Vitamin B12 and Other Nutrients
Your nerves won't function properly without this protection. Food sources of vitamin B12 include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, and milk and other types of dairy. Your doctor or dietitian may also recommend oral or injectable supplements of vitamin B12.
The more you exercise on a consistent basis, the better your chances are at reducing your nerve pain. Now, it may not be simple at first for some and in fact, may hurt a little. Please don't get discouraged, but rather keep moving forward one small step at a time.
Sugary Snacks: Snacks or desserts such as ice cream, cookies, candy, and even excess fruit consumption should be avoided by neuropathy patients. High levels of blood sugar impact nerve damage, especially in those with diabetic neuropathy.
Drinking is the second-leading cause of neuropathy, so the elimination of alcohol is the best thing you can do for yourself. If you abstain from alcohol, your neuropathy shouldn't get any worse.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins, which help calm the nervous system.
Whole grains.
For carbohydrates, choose whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and sprouted grain bread. The outer shell of the grain, which is maintained in whole grains, contains important B vitamins that are important for brain and nerve health.
At high doses, methylcobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12, accelerated nerve regeneration, increased myelination, and improved motor and functional recovery of injured nerves [80, 83].