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.
A 2-wk course of tart cherry juice significantly improved nondiabetic peripheral neuropathy in the majority of patients in the study.
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.
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.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins, which help calm the nervous system.
Trans and Saturated Fats
Known as “unhealthy fats,” these can be found in most fatty meats and high-fat dairy products. When consumed in excess, these fats lead to inflammation and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, both of which exacerbate peripheral neuropathy.
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.
Water reduces nerve stress, and it can help to relax muscles. That can mean reduced pain, healthier nerves, and faster recovery from nerve damage. Be sure to drink plenty of water alongside your diet to keep your body and nerves hydrated.
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.
A study published in Nutrients of people undergoing chemotherapy found that people who had high levels of magnesium in their diet were less likely to experience neuropathy.
Magnesium ion can promote peripheral nerve repair by inhibiting inflammation.
Magnesium decreases nerve pain. Clinical experience, as well as research in nerve pain conditions such as pancreatic cancer, has shown that magnesium can be an effective treatment for pain.
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.
It is very important for neuropathy patients to watch their weight and sugar intake; nuts can be a great snack to incorporate. Whole Grains– Brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, whole wheat, or sprouted grain bread are excellent choices because they are high in fiber, which helps with inflammation.
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.
Vicks VapoRub also has other popular off-label uses—and these have more support than use of the product on the feet to improve a cough. Vicks is sometimes used on the feet to relieve neuropathy pain, treat toenail fungus, and soften callouses.
Other dietary changes may benefit people with peripheral neuropathy, whether or not they have diabetes. Try the following: eating antioxidant-rich foods, such as blueberries, walnuts, fatty fish, and flaxseed oil, which may combat inflammation.
Full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, these pigment rich foods (which phytonutrients are distinguishable by) protect our cardiovascular and nervous system. They also boost our immune system and maintain our hormones. Phytonutrient Rich Foods: Carrots.
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.
According to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy, vitamin deficiencies and eating too many saturated fats (such as dairy products and red meat) can aggravate peripheral neuropathy symptoms and increase your risk for type 2 diabetes.
Peanut butter
Is rich in magnesium, which promotes muscle relaxation and has an analgesic effect. Magnesium deficiencies encourage the body to overproduce substance P, a chemical linked with increased feelings of pain.
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.