Neuropathy is a debilitating condition that leads to nerve pain, weakness, and numbness. However, there are dietary supplements you can take to improve neuropathy. Today’s blog post will go over those supplements.
Some supplements that can improve neuropathy include: Acetyl L Carnitine, alpha-lipoic acid, B vitamins, curcumin, fish oil, and N-acetyl cysteine.
The rest of this post will go over these different supplements, as well as why they can help your neuropathy.
Best Supplements For Neuropathy
Acetyl L Carnitine
The first supplement we’ll go over is acetyl l carnitine. ALC is made from L carnitine, a chemical that’s involved in bodily metabolic processes, specifically helping the body transform fat into energy. It can help with neuropathy too, however.
Acetyl L carnitine has been shown to help reduce the pain associated with neuropathy. Taking 2-3 grams orally per day shows reduced pain. It can be taken as a supplement or found in meats, fish, and dairy.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Next up is alpha lipoic acid. Alpha lipoc acid is a compound produced naturally in the body and is used in aerobic metabolic processes. Just like acetyl L carnitine, it has been used to help improve neuropathy.
Alpha lipoic acid has also been shown to reduce neuropathic pain. It can improve insulin resistance and help reduce nerve pain. It can be found through supplements or in organ meats and some vegetables.
B Vitamins
B Vitamins are a group of different vitamins including: Vitamin B1, B2, B3, B4, B5, B6, B9, and B12. Vitamin B has been shown to help ease the symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy.
Vitamin B1 has been shown to reduce nerve pain and inflammation. B6 protects nerve coverings, and B12 is essential for nerve function. B Vitamins can be found in supplements or foods like fish, lean red meats, and fortified cereals.
Curcumin
Curcumin is an antioxidant that’s found in spices like turmeric. It is an incredibly potent anti-inflammatory and can help relieve pain.
Curcumin is a compound found in turmeric that has been used medicinally for centuries. It helps alleviate inflammation associated with neuropathy and can act as a painkiller. Curcumin can be found in turmeric or taken as a supplement.
Fish Oil
Fish oil is another supplement that’s useful for alleviating the symptoms of neuropathy. Found naturally in oily fish, fish oil has been shown to help repair nerve damage and is also an anti inflammatory.
Fish oil has been shown to repair nerve damage and alleviate the pain and inflammation associated with neuropathy. It can be found in oily fish like salmon and sardines, taken as a supplement, or found in certain grains like flaxseed.
N-Acetyl Cysteine
N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is a compound that has been shown to help reduce both inflammation and pain, especially associated with neuropathy. It can be found in certain foods, but is more often taken as a supplement.
NAC is a compound that has been shown to alleviate both pain and inflammation associated with neuropathy. It can be taken as a supplement or be found in certain foods.
The Key Takeaway
Although these supplements can HELP with your neuropathy, they can’t cure it. If you have neuropathy, work with your doctor to help alleviate these symptoms. A healthy diet and physical exercise are also effective for managing both diabetes and neuropathy.
Sources
- Premier Neurology 6 Dietary Supplements That Can Improve Neuropathy
- WebMD Acetyl L Carnitine
- WebMD Alpha-Lipoic Acid
- Mayo Clinic Diabetic Neuropathy: Can Dietary Supplements Help?
- Complete Nutrition Fish Oil Benefits for Sore Muscles & Nerve Pain
- Medical News Today Supplements and Vitamins For Neuropathy