Foods To Avoid With Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy, a disease affecting the nerves in the lower limbs has a number of different causes. According to MayoClinic.com, peripheral neuropathy can result from trauma, infections, metabolic problems and toxins. Diabetes at any stage commonly causes peripheral neuropathy.

Celiac Disease Neuropathy

According to the University of Chicago, celiac disease, also called gluten sensitivity, causes an inflammatory response that damages the fingerlike projections, or villi, in the small intestine. People with celiac disease who eat foods containing gluten, a protein in wheat and other grains, develop shortening and flattening of villi. Without normal villi, a person becomes malnourished. According to MayoClinic.com, to avoid eating gluten, always avoid food and drinks containing: barley, bulgur, durham, farina, graham flour, kamut, matzo meal, rye, semolina, spelt wheat and triticale wheat. Other foods to avoid, unless labeled gluten-free include: beer, cake, pie and cereal. A patient with celiac disease must follow a gluten-free diet for a long time, or life.

Diabetic Neuropathy

Nerves get energy from glucose, which is converted to sorbitol, then fructose. Patients with type 2 diabetes develop peripheral neuropathy of the feet because high glucose levels slow the conversion to fructose. According to "Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine," tendon reflexes are absent or decreased, especially ankle jerks. Loss of vibration sense is also common. Diabetics need to avoid sugar.

Alcoholic Neuropathy

Alcoholics commonly develop peripheral neuropathy manifested by numbness and tingling in all four limbs due to poor diet and deficiency of thiamine, also called vitamin B-1. According to "Davidson's Principles and Practice of Medicine," diets high in carbohydrates make thiamine deficiency worse.