Your body primarily needs vitamins to help maintain healthy nerves. The most important vitamins in nerve regeneration are the vitamin B complex, particularly thiamin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B-6 and B-12. While your nervous system does use minerals, they are primarily not involved in nerve regeneration.
Thiamin
Thiamin, also known as vitamin B-1, is one of the eight water-soluble B vitamins your body needs for proper nerve function. Thiamin is also involved in the production of DNA, which your nerve cells need in order to reproduce properly. A thiamin deficiency can lead to nerve damage, with resulting neurological symptoms like numbness in your limbs. Adult males need at least 1.2 mg of thiamin daily, while women need 1.1 mg. You can get thiamin from foods like legumes, whole grains and lean pork.
Pantothenic Acid
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, pantothenic acid -- also called vitamin B-5 -- helps build and protect the myelin sheath, a covering over your nerve cells that enhances signal transmission. While a pantothenic acid deficiency is rare in humans, it may lead to nerve damage due to the myelin sheath degenerating. Humans need 5 milligrams of pantothenic acid, which is found in a variety of foods, including yeast, eggs and broccoli. You can also get pantothenic acid from whole grains, fish, chicken, milk and milk products.
Niacin
Niacin, or vitamin B-3, is not only involved in building, repairing and maintaining your nervous system. It also helps your body metabolize energy from the food you eat. A niacin deficiency is known as pellagra, and includes neurological symptoms such as headaches, fatigue, confusion and memory loss. Adult males need 16 mg daily, while women need 14. Niacin is found abundantly in animal products, like meat, poultry, and fish. It is also found in yeast, cereal, legumes and seeds.
Vitamin B-12
Vitamin B-12 is one of the most important vitamins for nerve regeneration. B-12 is necessary to build healthy nerve and blood cells, and your body needs it to make DNA. A B-12 deficiency can result in nerve problems like numbness in your limbs, problems with balance and memory loss. According to the National Institutes of Health, adults need 2.4 micrograms of B-12 daily. The most common dietary sources of B-12 include fish, meat, poultry, eggs, milk and milk products.
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