Your sciatic nerve is a peripheral nerve that carries sensory information, such as pain and touch sensation, from the lower limbs to the spinal cord for transmission to the brain. It also carries motor information from your brain to your lower limbs, to move your muscles. Your sciatic nerve is composed of neurons, and, as with all cells in your body, neurons require nutrients and vitamins to function normally. Deficiency of certain vitamins may result in nerve damage, so getting your recommended dietary allowance, or RDA, is important.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6 is found in three chemical forms, known as pyridoxal, pyridoxine and pyridoxamine. This vitamin is present in foods such as fish, poultry, meats, fruits, vegetables and beans. In all cells, including neurons, this vitamin is involved in protein synthesis and plays a role in making the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin. It is currently being investigated for its role in chronic pain, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin B6 insufficiency may result in neuropathy, a condition involving damaged peripheral nerves and their inability to effectively transmit sensory or motor information. The adult RDA for vitamin B6 is 1.3 mg up to age 50. If you are over age 50, the RDA is 1.7 mg for males and 1.5 mg for females, according to the Office of Dietary Supplements.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12 is found in foods such as egg products, milk, meat, fish and poultry. Another good source of vitamin B12 is fortified foods such as breakfast cereals or dietary supplements. This vitamin is important to maintain normal cell function and DNA synthesis. The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness states that insufficiency of this vitamin may result in various problems throughout your nervous system. Spasticity, walking difficulty, and loss of lower limb coordination may result. Also, weakness in your lower limbs as well as urinary and bowel dysfunction may result from vitamin B12 insufficiency. In men, impotence may result. The RDA for vitamin B12 is 2.4 mg for adults.
Folic Acid
The vitamin known as folic acid or B9 is found naturally as folate. Good sources of folic acid are fortified breakfast cereals, beef liver, cowpeas, beans, spinach, asparagus, white rice, broccoli, egg noodles and green peas. Folic acid may directly affect your peripheral nerves, including your sciatic nerve, because it has an important function in the embryonic development of all neurons. Folic acid is responsible for the normal formation of the neural tube, which is a structure in the embryo that will eventually become the person's entire central and peripheral nervous system. Thus, deficiency in folic acid at this critical developmental period may lead to neurological birth defects. One of these defects is spina bifida, which is externalization of the spinal cord. Such birth defects can be prevented if the mother has enough folic acid immediately after conception. The RDA in pregnant women is 600 mg.
References
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B6
- The Internet Journal of Nutrition and Wellness: Neurological Manifestations Of Vitamin B-12 Deficiency
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Vitamin B12
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Dietary Supplement Fact Sheet: Folate
