Carpal tunnel syndrome is a painful neuropathy affecting the hand, wrist and arm. It occurs because the median nerve inside the carpal tunnel of the wrist becomes compressed by inflamed tendons adjacent to it. Various nonsurgical therapies are often used to alleviate the symptoms and possibly halt the progression of this condition. Supplement therapy, such as vitamin B6 is one such treatment, although the National Institutes of Health (NIH) says evidence for its effectiveness is not proven.
Vitamin B6
This vitamin has many important roles throughout the body, such as making proteins, says NIH. It is required to make the neurotransmitters dopamine and serotonin, which are necessary for neurons to communicate. Vitamin B6 also may have a role in causing chronic pain, says NIH. A dose of 100 to 200mg per day may alleviate the condition. However, its effectiveness is not supported by scientific data. Despite this, many physicians recommend vitamin B6 for carpal tunnel syndrome. One possible effect of vitamin B6 is that it can raise pain threshold levels. This can make the pain associated with carpal tunnel syndrome seem less severe. Excessive intake of vitamin B-6 from supplements may have damaging effects. The primary harmful effect is on nerves, resulting in peripheral neuropathy. NIH says that such peripheral neuropathy can be reversed if the vitamin B6 levels are reduced.
Vitamin B2
Some studies suggest that low blood levels of vitamin B2, or riboflavin, are associated with carpal tunnel syndrome and other inflammatory diseases. The logic for supplementing the diet with riboflavin is to decrease inflammation and the symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. One study reported by the National Academy of Sciences has shown that vitamin B2 can enhance the effect of vitamin B6 for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. The combined effect is likely due to vitamin B2's function in converting vitamin B6 into a more active form, called pyridoxal.
Other Supplements
The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) states that a daily multivitamin containing the antioxidant vitamins A, C, E, D and B complex as well as trace minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc and selenium might be beneficial for treating carpal tunnel syndrome. Omega-3 fatty acids, up to 3g daily, can help reduce inflammation. This is important since the tendons around the median nerve may become less inflamed, resulting in a reduction in carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms. The UMMC says that fish oils can increase bleeding in some people, such as those using blood-thinning medicines, including aspirin.
References
- PubMed Central: Canadian Family Physician
- National Institutes of Health Office Dietary Supplements: Vitamin B6
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences: Enzymology of the Response of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome to Riboflavin and to Combined Riboflavin and Pyridoxine
