Neuropathy is the general term for conditions affecting the nerves that control different parts of your total nervous system. More than 100 types of neuropathy exist and are typically distinguished as affecting your peripheral nervous system, PNS, or autonomic nervous system, ANS. However, the condition is not limited to these systems alone. Each type of neuropathy has specific symptoms but also similarities to other forms of neuropathy. Poor diet is a contributor to the development and perpetuation of this condition.
Nervous System and Neuropathy Connection
Your nervous system is like a subway of interconnecting tunnels that transport information to all parts of your body. It is made up of the central nervous system, which includes your brain, spine and retina, and your PNS, which transports chemical messengers to your extremities. Within your PNS is the ANS, which transports information to your internal systems and controls things like heart rate or digestion. Inside your nervous system and sub-systems are complex neural pathways that all work together to keep you moving, thinking, feeling and living. Damage to these vital systems from traumatic injury or medical conditions like lupus or diabetes can result in the development of neuropathy. Nerve damage also results from inadvertent ingestion of toxins from the environment, medications or chronic alcohol use. A variety of conditions occurring together increases your risk of developing some form of neuropathy.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetes is the most common condition linked to neuropathy, with as many as 70 percent of people with diabetes having some form of neuropathy condition, notes the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. Difficulty controlling your blood glucose from poor nutrition habits, excess consumption of fatty foods and being overweight increase the risk of nerve damage leading to diabetic neuropathy. Symptoms may not appear for years, but the most common sign is numbness and tingling of the legs, feet, hands, arms or fingers. Managing diabetes through diet and physician recommendations to keep your blood glucose levels in a normal range is imperative to your overall health and can prevent the development of neuropathy.
Nutrient Deficiencies
Nutritional imbalance is often a complication of diabetes, but neuropathy resulting from poor diet can occur in the absence of a diabetes condition. Alcoholism from chronic or excessive drinking is associated with nutrient deficiencies, including malabsorption of consumed nutrients, vitamin loss and general poor dietary habits. Alcoholics tend to be most deficient in the B vitamins, which are essential to the health of your nervous system. Celiac disease, or gluten intolerance, is also linked to the development of neuropathy because a strict diet must be followed to manage the condition. Although the strict diet is significant to symptom management of celiac disease, it limits the amount of essential nutrients obtained in the diet. However, with recommendation from your physician, supplements can aid in preventing celiac-related neuropathy.
Healthy Diet Tips
Changes to poor dietary habits can help you manage or prevent neuropathy. A healthy diet consists of foods that supply you with vitamins and minerals, including fresh fruits, vegetables and grains. Choose low-fat meat and dairy products like skinless baked chicken or low-fat cheese instead of fatty fried foods or whole dairy. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages or stop drinking altogether and consider adding daily exercise to help you reduce pain associated with neuropathy. If you have an existing medical condition that requires a specific diet, continue to follow it, as advised by your physician, and discuss ways you can improve any habits that might result in neuropathy.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Peripheral Neuropathy; Mayo Clinic Staff; November 3, 2009
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetic Neuropathies; The Nerve Damage of Diabetes
- Northern California Chapter of the Neuropathy Association: Causes of Neuropathy
- FamilyDoctor.org: Diabetes and Nutrition
- MayoClinic.com: Autonomic Neuropathy; Mayo Clinic Staff; April 15, 2010
