leveraging Peripheral Neuropathy info, treatments and tips from diabetic world! why not ?

leveraging PN info, treatments and tips from diabetic world! why not ?
i noticed lots of overlaps on alternatives.

http://neurotalk.psychcentral.com/thread22794.html
story about PN and diabetic weight loss and vegan and reducing PN

http://www.reversingdiabetes.org/HowitWorks/Research.aspx
vegan diet helps 50% diabetics. refers to kane study. shows how diet and body and
disease are linked. diet not relevant to cancer. can we learn from diabetics ?

http://health.limboland.net/medical/diabetic_neuropathy/diabetic_neuropathy.html
freezing the nerves surgical option.

http://www.liveingoodhealth.info/article/treating-painful-diabetic-peripheral-neuropathy/
this article mentions acetyl-L-canitine which is one of the supplements my naturopath prescribed. also recommend exercise. see key tips below.

hope this helps, its interesting to consider. comments ?

hugs,
pete

ps with reconnection cannot sleep, just pooing all night its 4.30am here, maybe now sleep.
yes this maybe a little vent, much like what i experience every hour. its just hot air.

To help treat painful peripheral neuropathy without prescription medications, consider the following tips:

1. Keep your blood sugar in control: Studies have shown that when blood sugars remain high, or roller coaster from high to low, peripheral neuropathy will worsen.

2. Exercise. This is probably the last thing you wanted to hear. Exercise helps increase circulation and stimulates the growth of new vessels which help slow the progression of the neuropathy. Exercising also helps to increase your pain threshold and to provide a distraction from the nerve pain in your feet.

3. Eat healthy. Besides helping to control your blood sugar, eating a wide variety of fruits and vegetables will add anti-oxidants to your diet. Anti-oxidants will combat the damaging oxidative effects glucose has on your nerves. In particular, try dark-green, leafy vegetables, yellow, orange, and red fruits and vegetables, citrus fruits and tomatoes.

4. Try red pepper powder. Capsaicin is the active ingredient in chile peppers. When applied to the feet it acts as a counter-irritant and can help decrease neuropathic pain. Capsaicin can be purchased at your local drug store. If you cannot afford capsaicin, try mixing 1 tablespoon of dry chile powder with 2 tablespoons of baby powder. Place the mixture in a sock and use the socks at night.

5. Try alpha lipoic acid. ALA is an effective anti-oxidant that has been shown to relieve pain associated with neuropathy in multiple studies. To help relieve pain, the dose must be at least 600mg a day. It is advisable to start with a lower dose, as higher doses can cause nausea, stomach upset, fatigue, insomnia and can lower blood sugar. In general, ALA is a safe supplement.

6. Try gamma linolenic acid. GLA is an essential fatty acid found in evening primrose oil. Most of the studies have shown modest results, but the possibilities are still encouraging. Take 360mg/day. Many indications require higher dosages, but side effects with long term use at higher doses may include inflammation, thrombosis (blood clots), or decreased immune system functioning.

Treating painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy is very difficult and many of the above mentioned therapies should be tried and combined. Don't expect any "cures" and make sure you give each therapy a chance to work.

Some other studies. that maybe relevant. Note GLA may not be good for colorectal re bloot clot and decreased immune system.

111 patients with mild diabetic neuropathy were given either supplements of the fatty acid gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) or placebo. After one year there were significant improvements in 13 parameters in the GLA-treated patients.Keen H et al: Treatment of diabetic neuropathy with gamma-linolenic acid. The gamma-linolenic acid multicenter trai group. Diabetes Care 16(1):8-15, 1993.

22 patients with diabetic polyneuropathy were given either supplements of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) or placebo for 6 months. The GLA-treated patients showed a significant improvement in symptom scores. Jamal GA et al: The effect of gamma-linolenic acid on human diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Diabet Med 7(4):319-23, 1990.