Diabetic nerve damage, also known as diabetic neuropathy, occurs in approximately half of all diabetes cases, according to Ari S. Eckman, M.D. of the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. Diabetic nerve damage can affect any part of the body; however the most common form presents in the peripheral nerves that feed the feet, legs, hands and arms. While several of the B vitamins diminish the burning pain of diabetic nerve damage, they will not eliminate it. The goal of treatment is to stop the nerve damage from getting worse through diet, medication and blood sugar control. Speak to your doctor or health-care provider about B vitamin supplementation if you have diabetic neuropathy.
Hyperglycemia
Hyperglycemia or high blood sugar refers to an excess of glucose in the blood; this condition is the main cause of diabetic nerve damage. Over time, hyperglycemia damages the blood vessels that supply the nerves with oxygen and essential nutrients. Hyperglycemia occurs when the body cannot utilize the digestive hormone insulin properly, or when too little insulin circulates in the blood. Blood sugar elevates when a diabetic eats too much, exercises too little, or experiences emotional or physical stress, according to the American Diabetes Association.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 demonstrates some effectiveness in treating the burning pains characteristic of diabetic neuropathy; however, more human trials are necessary to confirm this theory. According to a June 2005 review conducted by Taiwanese researchers and published in the journal "Acta Neurologica Taiwanica," vitamin B-12 supplementation minimized the pain, numbness, burning and tingling in diabetic nerve damage.
Vitamin B-1
Another vitamin that may reduce the burning pains of diabetic neuropathy is vitamin B-1, also known as thiamine, although more research is required to definitively prove this theory. Recent diabetes studies suggest a connection between vitamin B-1 deficiency and diabetic complications such as diabetic nerve damage. An August 2005 review conducted by researchers from the University of Essex in England and published in the journal "Current Diabetes Reviews" found that vitamin B-1 plays a role in the development of hyperglycemia; therefore vitamin B-1 supplementation may minimize the effects of diabetic nerve damage.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6 also demonstrates a positive impact on the painful symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. An April 2011 study conducted by Iranian researchers and published in the journal "Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice," recruited 67 Type 2 diabetics and supplemented them with vitamin B-6 for four months. At the end of the study, the group that took vitamin B-6 reported a significant reduction in neuropathic pain.
References
- Pub Med Health: Diabetic Neuropathy; Ari S. Eckman, M.D. et al.; April 2010
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Diabetic Neuropathies: The Nerve Damage of Diabetes; Peter J. Dyck, M.D.; February 2009
- American Diabetes Association: Hyperglycemia (High Blood Glucose)
- Acta Neurologica Taiwanica: Effectiveness of Vitamin B12 on Diabetic Neuropathy: Systematic Review of Clinical Controlled Trials; Y. Sun et al.; June 2005
- Current Diabetes Reviews: The Potential Role of Thiamine (Vitamin B1) in Diabetic Complications; P.J. Thornalley; August 2005
- Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice: Improving Neuropathy Scores in Type 2 Diabetic Patients Using Micronutrients Supplementation; M.S. Farvid et al.; April 2011
