A variety of factors and conditions can cause nerve damage, including infectious diseases, toxins and illnesses such as diabetes or autoimmune disorders; physical trauma from prolonged compression, accidents or surgery; and scavenger cells called free radicals. Certain foods can counteract these assaults to your nerves because they promote the immune system, prevent deterioration of nerve cells or contribute directly toward the maintenance and repair of nerve cells.
Vitamin B12 Foods
Some forms of nerve damage, called neuropathy, occur when the protective coating that covers nerves deteriorates because of physical trauma or biochemical processes. This coating, called myelin sheath, ensures that nerves communicate only with nerves they are supposed to. When the sheath is damaged, nerves can excite nerves they shouldn't. This condition causes feedback loops that create persistent pain even if the original cause of the pain is no longer present. Vitamin B12 participates in the creation, maintenance and repair of nerve cells. Vitamin B12 foods that can help with neuropathic pain include venison and lamb loin; certain cuts of beef such as chuck, sirloin, tenderloin, rib-eye and ribs; and seafood such as lobster, clams, oysters, mussels, octopus, salmon, sardines, snapper and halibut, according to World's Healthiest Foods and HealthAlicious.
Antioxidant Fruits and Vegetables
Free radicals are atoms that our body generates to convert food into energy. Free radicals are also produced by exposure to sun, oxygen and toxins. Too many free radicals create a problem because the radicals start to interact with cell tissues, causing damage by stealing electrons. Our bodies keep free radicals in check with antioxidants, but we need to obtain antioxidants from food sources in order to minimize free radical damage. Foods with vitamin C, vitamin E, beta carotene or other antioxidants help to heal damaged nerves by neutralizing free radicals. Antioxidant foods include fruits such as raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe, apricots, mangos, papaya, guava, pineapple, oranges, tomatoes and red grapes; vegetables such as onion, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, asparagus, peppers, spinach, sweet potatoes and kale. These fruits and vegetables also support immune system functioning by increasing the production of white blood cells and antibodies, which protect cells from viruses and other micro-invaders. Vitamin E helps to produce killer cells that attack and destroy cancer cells and bacteria, according to AskDrSears.com.
Other Antioxidants
Oils such as soybean, olive, corn and safflower contain high levels of antioxidants, as do whole grains, brown rice, wheat germ, oatmeal and legumes such as beans, split peas and lentils. Green tea also contains high levels of antioxidants.
Further Immune Support
Foods with vitamin E and C function as antioxidants, but also support immune system functioning. Other foods that support immune system functioning include foods with omega-3 fatty acids. These include flax seed, flax seed oil, olive oil and cold water fish, such as cod, salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut and mackerel. These foods help to reduce inflammatory responses and infections, according to AskDrSears.com, which exacerbate neuropathic pain and reduce the amount of oxygen available to cells.
