Nerve pain may present as a burning, shooting or stabbing pain that radiates to various parts of the body or it may include tingling, numbness and increased sensitivity in a localized area. This type of pain may occur suddenly or it may become constant. Nerve damage, infections or inflammation can cause nerve pain following surgery. Certain vitamins can protect your nerves from permanent damage, repair damaged nerves, heal nervous system injuries and eliminate nerve pain following surgery.
Vitamin B1
Vitamin B1, also known as thiamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that repairs damaged nerves, relieves nerve pain, supports healthy nervous system function and lowers your risk of developing beriberi, a nervous system condition that is caused by a vitamin B1 deficiency, according to Steve Blake, author of the book "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified." The recommended daily dosage for vitamin B1 is 1.1 mg for men and 0.8 mg for women. Foods rich in vitamin B1 include lentils, peas, milk, eggs, spinach, Brazil nuts, lean pork, fortified cereals, whole wheat bread, white bread, oranges and cantaloupes.
Vitamin B6
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is a water-soluble vitamin that strengthens your immune system and protects your nerves from permanent damage, according to Alice Feinstein, author of the book "Prevention's Healing with Vitamins." Feinstein explains that vitamin B6 also eases nerve pain, carries blood and oxygen to your tissues, repairs damaged nerves, aids in the healing process and reduces your risk of developing peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes nerve pain, tingling, numbness and extreme sensitivity in your legs and feet. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin B6 is 1.3 mg to 1.7 mg for men and 1.3 mg to 1.5 mg for women. Foods rich in vitamin B6 include avocados, tuna, wheat bran, soybeans, walnuts, salmon, tomato juice, peanut butter, bananas, ready-to-eat cereals and instant oatmeal.
Vitamin B12
Vitamin B12, also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that improves nervous system function, protects your nerves from permanent damage, repairs damaged nerves, reduces numbness and tingling, aids in the healing process and alleviates nerve pain, notes Michael Zimmermann, author of the book "Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease." The recommended daily dosage for vitamin B12 is 2.4 mcg for women. Foods rich in vitamin B12 include beef liver, clams, trout, salmon, breakfast cereals, tuna, milk, eggs, plain yogurt and roasted chicken.
Vitamin E
Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and protects your nerves from irreversible nerve damage, according Andreas Papas, author of "The Vitamin E Factor." Papas reports that vitamin E also repairs damaged nerves, decreases inflammation surrounding the nerves, alleviates nerve pain and accelerates the healing process. The recommended daily dosage for vitamin E is 15 mg for adults. Foods rich in vitamin E include wheat germ oil, almonds, spinach, tomatoes, mangoes, kiwifruit, peanuts, sunflower oil, broccoli and corn oil.
References
- "Prevention's Healing with Vitamins"; Alice Feinstein; 1996
- "Pain Medicine and Management: Just the Facts"; Mark Wallace and Peter Staats; 2004
- "The Vitamin E Factor"; Andreas M. Papas; 1999
- "Chronic Pain for Dummies"; Charles J. Vierck, Elizabeth Vierck and Stuart S. Kassan; 2008
- "Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease"; Michael Zimmermann; 2001
- "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified"; Steve Blake; 2007
