Neuropathy is a description of conditions that affect the nerves. "Neuro" means nerves and "pathy" means abnormal. Vitamins C and D may be helpful for neuropathy, but they are not necessarily the best. Vitamin B-12 is particularly useful for preventing and treating neuropathy. There are other vitamins that might assist neuropathy.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C may reduce neuropathy symptoms. A study published in "Nature Medicine" in March 2004 saw less severe neuropathy in mice with Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease that were treated with vitamin C. Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease affects 1 in 2,500 people. It is the most common hereditary peripheral neuropathy. However, a human trial performed on 81 children with CMT found no significant difference between children treated with vitamin C and those who took a placebo. The study was published in "The Lancet Neurology" in June 2009.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D may be effective for relieving pain associated with diabetic neuropathy. A study published in the "Archives of Internal Medicine" in April 2008 found that participants receiving vitamin D supplements saw a decrease in pain of approximately 40 to 50 percent. Participants all suffered from Type 2 diabetes and had a vitamin D deficiency. Researchers did not know how vitamin D could help diabetic neuropathy but hypotheized that a deficiency of vitamin D may potentiate diabetic nerve damage.
Vitamin B-12
A vitamin B-12 deficiency can cause neuropathy. Vitamin B-12 supplements can treat diabetic neuropathy, according to Michael Lam, a specialist in nutritional and anti-aging medicine. Dr. Lam says that 500 to 2,000 mcg of vitamin B-12 daily is usually an effective treatment. Inadequate vitamin B-12 levels can result in damage to the myelin sheath that protects nerves. This lack of protection results in nerves being unable to function correctly, leading to conditions such as peripheral neuropathy.
More Vitamins
In addition to vitamin B-12, vitamin B-1, B-6 and E may help decrease pain and neuropathy symptoms. Vitamin B-1 may be effective for treating diabetic and alcoholic neuropathies. A vitamin B-6 deficiency may cause neuropathy with symptoms similar to those of diabetic neuropathy. Supplements can be beneficial, although too much B-6 is toxic and can cause neuropathy. Vitamin E can improve nerve conduction, which may suggest that it could reduce neuropathy symptoms.
References
- "Nature Medicine"; Ascorbic Acid Treatment Corrects the Phenotype of a Mouse Model of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease; Edith Passage et al.; March 2004
- "The Lancet Neurology"; Ascorbic Acid for Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Type 1A in Children: A Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled, Safety and Efficacy Trial; Joshua Burns et al.; June 2009
- Linus Pauling Institute Oregon State University; Vitamin C for the Treatment of Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease; Davide Pareyson, M.D.; 2006
- Care Cure Community; Vitamin D Reverses Diabetic Neuropathy; April 2008
- 6 Minutes; Vitamin D Reverses Diabetic Neuropathy; Dr. Linda Calabresi; April 2008
- LamMD.com; Diabetes; Michael Lam, M.D.
- LifeExtension: Neuropathy (Diabetic)
- The University of Chicago Center for Peripheral Neuropathy: Nutritional/Vitamin Deficiency
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