Recently, I've come across several letters regarding peripheral neuropathy. For those of you fortunate enough not to suffer from it, peripheral neuropathy is a condition characterized by burning, throbbing, aching, or shooting pain in the extremities, especially the legs and feet. There are a number of causes for this condition including diabetes, atherosclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and nutritional deficiencies.

Because there is no proven cure for this disease, mainstream medicine is quick to jump on the prescription-drug bandwagon where potential profits abound. The unfortunate truth is, their main goal is to make as much money as they can, regardless of the fact that the drugs they advocate often offer little or no relief--and can cause a host of unwanted side effects.

Until recently, the most common mainstream treatment for the pain of peripheral neuropathy was the antidepressant Elavil. Ironically, peripheral neuropathy is listed as one of the potential side effects for this drug, along with such unpleasant reactions as insomnia, dizziness, tinnitus, and weight gain.

Current studies, however, have shown Elavil's benefits to be minimal in treating peripheral neuropathy. Another drug, called Neurontin, has taken its place as the new treatment of choice for many physicians. But Neurontin's side effects include visual impairment, brain fog, and ataxia (the inability to coordinate and control muscle movement).

You don't have to subject yourself to the potential risks of mainstream drug treatments. And you don't have to live with the debilitating pain of peripheral neuropathy. There are a number of alternative therapies for this condition.

It turns out various symptoms of peripheral neuropathy are likely caused by specific nutritional deficiencies. According to experts, these deficiencies can all be treated with supplements found in your local health food store.

Some of our panelists recommend the following supplements and dosages:

• Leg and foot pain--the primary symptoms of peripheral neuropathy--could be caused by a deficiency in vitamin B12. Supplementing 300 micrograms of vitamin B12, in conjunction with 800 micrograms of folic acid per day may alleviate these symptoms.

• Magnesium is necessary for nerve conduction. Lack of this mineral can also induce symptoms of neuropathy. Your body needs between 750 and 1,000 milligrams of magnesium per day to function properly.

• Inositol is found in large amounts in brain tissue and plays an important role in nerve cell communication. While inositol deficiency is rare, supplementing with larger, therapeutic quantities may help significantly improve--even reverse--symptoms of neuropathy. Researchers have reported that supplementation with inositol in doses of 2 to 6 grams per day has resulted in noticeable improvements in peripheral neuropathy.

• Gamma linolenic acid (GLA), one of the essential fatty acids, may facilitate proper nerve function and improve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. It is thought that GLA may aid in rebuilding the myelin sheath around the nerves. In one study, 480 milligrams per day of GLA helped lessen the severity of peripheral neuropathy symptoms.

• Alpha-lipoic acid has been used to treat peripheral neuropathy in Europe for many years. This nutrient has been shown to reduce symptoms such as pain and numbness. The therapeutic dose for alpha-lipoic acid is 600 milligrams per day.

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Sincerely,
Amanda L. Ross
Research Associate
Health Sciences Institute