Nerves are cord-like fibers that work within your nervous system to relay impulses, stimuli and messages from your brain to various parts of your body, such as your cells, skin, muscles and organs. Diabetes, autoimmune diseases, tumors, inflammation, traumas and infectious diseases can damage your nerves and interfere with their ability to send and receive signals. Symptoms of nerve damage may include muscle weakness, paralysis, burning or tingling sensation, radiating pain, numbness and twitching. Along with your prescribed treatment plan, a variety of vitamins may help regenerate damaged nerves.
Vitamin B-6
Vitamin B-6, also known as pyridoxine, improves nervous system function, supports healthy nerves, repairs nerve damage, soothes inflamed and irritated nerves, and aids in the healing process, according to Harold Silverman, M.D., author of "The Vitamin Book." Dr. Silverman adds that vitamin B-6 lowers your risk of peripheral neuropathy, diabetes-related nerve damage characterized by numbness in your feet and toes, a tingling or burning sensation in your extremities, pain when walking, muscle weakness, extreme sensitivity to touch and a sharp jabbing pain that worsens at night. Foods rich in vitamin B-6 include ready-to-eat cereals, instant oatmeal, avocados, English walnuts, peanuts, lima beans, tuna, chicken and garbanzo beans.
Vitamin B-9
Vitamin B-9, also known as folic acid, prevents permanent paralysis; reduces numbness, pain and tingling; stimulates your nerves, improves nervous system function; promotes healthy nerves; and aids in the development of the neural tube, an embryonic structure that later develops into your nervous system, according to Steve Blake, Sc.D., author of "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified." Dr. Blake adds that vitamin B-9 repairs injured nerves and lowers your risk of spina bifida and anencephaly, birth defects commonly associated with neural tube abnormalities. Foods rich in vitamin B-9 include liver, sunflower seeds, dry roasted soybeans, turnip greens, collard greens, asparagus, peanuts and pinto beans.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12, also known as cobalamin, repairs damaged nerves; restores nervous system function; aids in the healing process; regenerates nerve fibers; eases nerve pain; and lowers your risk of nerve disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Meniere's disease, Bell's palsy and Huntington disease, according to Michael Zimmermann, author of "Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease." Dr. Zimmermann notes that extremely low levels of vitamin B-12 can result in severe and irreversible brain and nervous system damage. Foods rich in vitamin B-12 include beef liver, clams, yogurt, milk, pork, eggs, American cheese, tuna and chicken.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an antioxidant that strengthens your immune system and protects your nerves from infections, viruses, toxins and diseases that can permanently damage them, according to Steve Hickey, Ph.D., author of "Vitamin C: The Real Story: The Remarkable and Controversial Healing Factor." Dr. Hickey explains that vitamin C aids in the production of serotonin and norepinephrine, brain chemicals that support your nervous system; reduces nerve pressure and pain; stimulates nerve fibers; prevents numbness and paralysis; eliminates oxidative stress from your body; and accelerates the healing process. Foods rich in vitamin C include oranges, tomatoes, pineapples, raspberries, blackberries, spinach, cabbage, potatoes and green peppers.
References
- "The Vitamin Book"; Harold M. Silverman, M.D.; 1999
- "Shattered Nerves: How Science Is Solving Modern Medicine's Most Perplexing Problem"; Victor D. Chase; 2007
- "Neuromuscular and Peripheral Nerve Disorders"; Anthony Amato, M.D. and Richard Barohn, M.D.; 2008
- "Burgerstein's Handbook of Nutrition: Micronutrients in the Prevention and Therapy of Disease"; Michael Zimmermann, M.D.; 2001
- "Vitamins and Minerals Demystified"; Steve Blake, Sc.D.; 2007
- "Vitamin C: The Real Story: The Remarkable and Controversial Healing Factor"; Steve Hickey, Ph.D.; 2008
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