Vitamins for pinched nerve? Vitamin b12 nerve damage repair? Are they too good to be true? No, yes and yes. If you are anything like me, then you have probably wondered if there were any better ways of treating your nerves than with just vitamins for pinched nerve and vitamin b12 nerve damage repair. I am pleased to announce that there are, and here’s how:
Nerve damage is something that can happen to anyone. Whether you take vitamin b12 pills or not, the result will be the same if your nerves are damaged due to an accident or illness: they’ll never be able to get back to 100% health. But don’t worry — there is a solution.
When you suffer from nerve damage, it can be hard to believe there is an answer. Part of this is because the pain takes over, while another part of it is due to the fact that most people think they will just have to live with this nerve damage forever. However, if you want to know more about vitamins for pinched nerves and what it’s like in your body, read on as I share this information with you.
vitamins for pinched nerve
Is your neck aching? Are you feeling a pinched nerve in the back of your neck? Do you tend to fall asleep while sitting in one position with your neck bent forward? If this is true, you may have been diagnosed with vitamin b12 deficiency.
If you have suffered a pinched nerve, then you need to reduce the inflammation immediately. This will help the nerves recover their natural function, making your nerve damage more bearable and ultimately less likely to reoccur in the future.
I’ve been a lover of vitamins and supplements for almost 30 years. Before this, I was never good at taking any drug, knowing that it had beneficial effects on my body. Thankfully, I found a way out of this dilemma.
top 10 best vitamins for your nerves
Neuropathy is a term used to describe several conditions that affect the nerves and can cause irritating and painful symptoms. Neuropathy is a particularly common complication of diabetes and a side effect of chemotherapy.
Conventional treatments are available for neuropathy. However, research is underway to investigate the use of supplements. You may find these supplements preferable to other treatment options since they have fewer side effects. They may also benefit your health and well-being in other ways.
Always talk with your doctor before starting any new supplements or changing your treatment plan in any way. You may wish to combine these supplements with complementary therapies, pain medications, and adaptive techniques to help you manage your symptoms, but be cautious.
Herbs and supplements can interfere with each other and with any medications you’re taking. They’re not meant to replace any treatment plan approved by your doctor.
- B vitamins for neuropathy
B vitamins are useful in treating neuropathy since they support healthy nervous system function. Peripheral neuropathy is sometimes caused by a vitamin B deficiency.
Supplementation should include vitamin B1 (thiamine and benfotiamine), B6, and B12. You may choose to take these separately instead of as a B complex.
Benfotiamine is like vitamin B1, which is also known as thiamine. It’s thought to lower pain and inflammation levels and prevent cellular damage.
A deficiency in vitamin B12 is one cause of peripheral neuropathy. Without treatment, it can cause permanent nerve damage.
Vitamin B6 may help to maintain the covering on nerve endings. But it’s important that you don’t take more than 200 milligrams of B6 per day. Research from 2021Trusted Source shows that taking higher amounts can lead to nerve damage and cause symptoms of neuropathy.
Foods rich in B vitamins include:
meat, poultry, and fish
seafood
eggs
low fat dairy products
fortified cereals
vegetables
A 2017 review indicates that supplementing with B vitamins has the potential to promote nerve repair. This may be because B vitamins can speed up nerve tissue regeneration and improve nerve function. B vitamins may also be useful in relieving pain and inflammation.
The results of studies showing the benefit of benfotiamine in treating neuropathy have been mixed. A small 2005 studyTrusted Source and a 2008 studyTrusted Source found benfotiamine to have a positive effect on diabetic neuropathy. It was shown to decrease pain and improve the condition.
But a small 2012 study found that people with type 1 diabetes who took 300 milligrams per day of benfotiamine showed no significant improvements in nerve function or inflammation. People took the supplement for 24 months.
Further studies are needed to expand upon these findings. It’s also important to examine the effects of benfotiamine in combination with other B vitamins.
- Alpha-lipoic acid for neuropathy
Alpha-lipoic acid is an antioxidant that may be useful in treating neuropathy caused by diabetes or cancer treatment. A 2021 studyTrusted Source says it may lower blood sugar levels, improve nerve function, and relieve uncomfortable symptoms in the legs and arms such as:
pain
itching
tingling
prickling
numbness
burning
It can be taken in supplement form or administered intravenously. You may take 600 to 1,200 milligrams per day in capsule form.
Foods that have trace amounts of alpha-lipoic acid include:
liver
red meat
broccoli
brewer’s yeast
spinach
Brussels sprouts
Alpha-lipoic acid has been shown to have a positive effect on nerve conduction and to reduce neuropathic pain. A small 2017 study found that alpha-lipoic acid was useful in protecting against oxidative damage in people with diabetic neuropathy.
One important note of caution: If you are deficient in thiamine, or vitamin B1, as a result of excessive alcohol use or for another reason, alpha-lipoic acid may have a toxic effect on your system.
- Acetyl-L-carnitine for neuropathy
Acetyl-L-carnitine is an amino acid and antioxidant. It may raise energy levels, create healthy nerve cells, and reduce pain in people with neuropathy. You can take it as a supplement. A typical dosage is 500 milligrams twice per day.
Food sources of acetyl-L-carnitine include:
meat
fish
poultry
dairy products
According to a 2016 study, acetyl-L-carnitine significantly improved:
chemotherapy-induced peripheral sensory neuropathy
cancer-associated fatigue
physical conditions
Participants received either a placebo or 3 grams per day of acetyl-L-carnitine for 8 weeks. Researchers noted significant differences between the groups at 12 weeks. This indicates that the neurotoxicity persists without further clinical intervention.
- N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) for neuropathy
NAC is a form of cysteine. It’s an antioxidant and amino acid. Its many medicinal uses include treating neuropathic pain and reducing inflammation.
NAC isn’t found naturally in foods, but cysteine is in most high protein foods. You can take it as a supplement in amounts of 1,200 milligrams once or twice per day.
Results of a 2010 animal studyTrusted Source showed that NAC may be useful in treating diabetic neuropathy. It reduced neuropathic pain and improved motor coordination. Its antioxidant properties improved nerve damage from oxidative stress and apoptosis, or cell death.
- Curcumin for neuropathy
Curcumin is a compound found in the herb turmeric, known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and pain relieving properties. It may help to relieve numbness and tingling in your hands and feet.
Curcumin is available in supplement form, or you can take 1 teaspoon of turmeric powder with 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground pepper three times per day.
You can also use fresh or powdered turmeric to make tea. You can add it to foods such as curries, egg salads, and yogurt smoothies.
A 2014 animal study found that curcumin reduced chemotherapy-induced neuropathy in mice who took it for 14 days. It had a positive effect on pain, inflammation, and functional loss. Antioxidant and calcium levels were significantly improved. Larger studies on humans are needed to expand upon these findings.
Another animal study from 2013 indicates that curcumin is helpful when taken during the early stages of neuropathy. This may prevent chronic neuropathic pain from developing.
- Fish oil for neuropathy
Fish oil is useful in treating neuropathy due to its anti-inflammatory effects and its ability to repair damaged nerves. It also helps to relieve muscle soreness and pain. It’s available in supplement form. You can take 2,400 to 5,400 milligrams per day.
The omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil are also found in these foods:
salmon
walnuts
sardines
canola oil
chia seeds
flaxseeds
mackerel
cod liver oil
herring
oysters
anchovies
caviar
soybeans
A 2017 review examined the potential for fish oil as a treatment for diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Studies have shown that fish oil can slow progression and reverse diabetic neuropathy. Its anti-inflammatory properties are useful in reducing pain and discomfort. Its neuroprotective effects can help to stimulate neuron outgrowth.
While the results are promising, further studies are needed to expand upon these findings.
The takeaway
Talk with your doctor before starting any supplements for your neuropathy symptoms. They can provide personalized information about safety and effectiveness given your health situation.
If you’re given the go-ahead, you may find that some of these supplements ease the discomfort associated with the condition.
What is peripheral neuropathy?
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes weakness, pain, and numbness in your extremities (typically the hands and feet).
Your peripheral nerves send messages from your brain and spinal cord to the rest of your body. When those nerves are damaged, these messages are interrupted and affect how your body responds to pain, temperature, and other reflexes.
It’s often a result of damage to the peripheral nerves. A few things can cause this damage:
diabetes mellitus
traumatic injury
alcoholism
infection
The effects of peripheral neuropathy can develop suddenly or can spread slowly over time.
Treatment methods vary depending on the cause of the condition. Many natural and traditional methods focus on alleviating pain symptoms.
Peripheral neuropathy symptoms
Symptoms from peripheral neuropathy depend on the type of nerves damaged. The three types are motor nerves, sensory nerves, and autonomic nerves.
Motor nerves
Your motor nerves send messages from the brain to the muscles so you can control your movements.
If your motor nerves are affected, you may experience symptoms including:
muscle weakness or atrophy
difficulty moving your arms or legs
muscle spasms or uncontrolled twitching
decreased reflexes
Sensory nerves
Sensory nerves send messages from other body parts to the brain and trigger your senses. When you experience a cold sensation or touch something sharp, you are using your sensory nerves.
If your peripheral neuropathy affects your sensory nerves, you may experience:
tingling or numbness
sensitivity to touch
decreased sensation
inability to feel temperature changes or pain with hot and cold
loss of reflexes and coordination
Autonomic nerves
These nerves control involuntary and semi-voluntary functions including blood pressure, heart rate, bladder functions, and sweating.
If your autonomic nerves are affected from peripheral neuropathy, you may experience symptoms including:
nausea
vomiting
dizziness while standing or changing position from sitting to standing
excessive sweating
inability to control bowel and bladder functions
irregular heart rate
difficulty swallowing
8 natural treatments for peripheral neuropathy
Treatment for peripheral neuropathy depends on the cause. Some common treatments involve physical therapy, surgery, and injections for increased nerve pressure. Other treatments focus on reducing pain and discomfort with over-the-counter painkillers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
There are also a number of natural treatments to help reduce symptoms and peripheral neuropathy.
- Vitamins
Some cases of peripheral neuropathy are related to vitamin deficiencies. Vitamin B is essential for your nerve health. A deficiency can lead to significant nerve damage.
While you can get vitamin B from your meals, your doctor may also recommend taking a supplement. Stick to the recommended dose to prevent toxicity and worsening symptoms.
Vitamin D can also help prevent nerve pain. Your skin typically produces vitamin D in response to sunlight. A deficiency can cause neuropathy pain. Taking a supplement can help reduce the symptoms of neuropathy.
- Cayenne pepper
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, an ingredient in hot peppers that makes them spicy. Capsaicin has been used in topical creams for its pain relief properties. It decreases the intensity of pain signals sent through the body.
Incorporating cayenne pepper in your diet or taking a capsaicin supplement can help to reduce neuropathy pain.
Topical capsaicin ointments can also be used on the body. Although it may initially burn, continued use will gradually reduce neuropathy sensations.
Be sure to discuss this treatment method with your doctor before using it to prevent adverse symptoms.
- Quit smoking
Smoking affects your blood circulation. The blood vessels narrow and less oxygenated blood can get through. Without proper blood circulation, you may experience increased numbness and pain from your peripheral neuropathy. Eliminating smoking habits can help to improve your symptoms. Let this motivate you to make positive changes. - Warm bath
Taking a warm bath can be soothing and can also alleviate pain symptoms from neuropathy. Warm water increases blood circulation throughout the body, decreasing pain symptoms from numbness.
If your sensory nerves are affected from peripheral neuropathy and you’re not as sensitive to temperature, be careful not to make your bath water too hot.
- Exercise
Regular exercise can help to combat pain and improve your overall health. Being active can reduce your blood sugar, which, in turn, can reduce or slow down nerve damage. Exercise also increases blood flow to your arms and legs and reduces stress. These are all factors that help to reduce discomfort and pain. - Essential oils
Some essential oils, including chamomile and Roman lavender, help to increase circulation in the body. They also have pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that could boost healing.
Dilute essential oils (a few drops) in 1 ounce of a carrier oil such as olive oil. Applying these diluted oils to the affected area can reduce stinging and tingling pains from peripheral neuropathy.
- Meditation
Meditation techniques can help people struggling with neuropathy symptoms live through their pain. It can help to lower stress, improve your coping skills, and decrease your pain intensity. Taking a mind-body approach is a noninvasive technique that provides you with more control over your condition. - Acupuncture
Acupuncture promotes natural healing by stimulating the body’s pressure points. This technique triggers the nervous system to release chemicals that can change the pain experience or threshold. Acupuncture helps to provide an energy balance to the body that can affect your emotional well-being.
Outlook
Prevention works so much better than treatment. Keeping your blood sugars within the normal range will help prevent your neuropathy from worsening. If your neuropathy is related to alcohol intake, stop drinking now to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Natural remedies have some success in alleviating the pain symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. However, be sure to consult with your doctor prior to participating in a new treatment method. If you begin experiencing irregular symptoms from natural remedies, or if your conditions worsen, visit a doctor immediately.
The spice known as turmeric may be the most effective nutritional supplement in existence.
Many high-quality studies show that turmeric has major benefits for your body and brain. Many of these benefits come from its main active ingredient, curcumin.
Read on to learn what the science says about turmeric and curcumin as well as their benefits.
What are turmeric and curcumin?
Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color.
It has been used in India for thousands of years as both a spice and medicinal herb. Recently, science has started to back up traditional claims that turmeric contains compounds with medicinal properties (1Trusted Source).
These compounds are called curcuminoids. The most important one is curcumin.
Curcumin is the main active ingredient in turmeric. It has powerful anti-inflammatory effects and is a very strong antioxidant.
Here are the top 10 evidence-based health benefits of turmeric and curcumin.
- Turmeric contains bioactive compounds with medicinal properties
However, the curcumin content of turmeric isn’t that high. It’s around 3%, by weight (2Trusted Source). Most of the studies on this herb use turmeric extracts that contain mostly curcumin itself, with dosages usually exceeding 1 gram per day.
It would be very difficult to reach these levels just using turmeric as a spice in your foods.
That’s why some people choose to use supplements.
However, curcumin is poorly absorbed into your bloodstream. In order to experience the full effects of curcumin, its bioavailability (the rate at which your body absorbs a substance) needs to improve (3Trusted Source).
It helps to consume it with black pepper, which contains piperine. Piperine is a natural substance that enhances the absorption of curcumin by 2,000% (4Trusted Source).
In fact, the best curcumin supplements contain piperine, and this makes them substantially more effective.
Curcumin is also fat soluble, which means it breaks down and dissolves in fat or oil. That’s why it may be a good idea to take curcumin supplements with a meal that’s high in fat.
SUMMARY
Turmeric contains curcumin, a substance with powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Most studies use turmeric extracts that are standardized to include large amounts of curcumin.
- Curcumin is a natural anti-inflammatory compound
Inflammation is incredibly important. It helps fight foreign invaders and has a role in repairing damage in your body.
Although acute, short-term inflammation is beneficial, it can be a concern if it becomes chronic and attacks your body’s own tissues.
Scientists now believe that chronic low-level inflammation can play a role in some health conditions and diseases. These include (5Trusted Source, 6Trusted Source, 7Trusted Source):
heart disease
cancer
metabolic syndrome
Alzheimer’s disease
various degenerative conditions
That’s why anything that can help fight chronic inflammation is potentially important in preventing and helping treat these conditions.
While the topic of inflammation is multilayered and there’s likely no simple answer, the key takeaway regarding curcumin is that it is a bioactive substance that can fight inflammation. However, very high doses are required to produce medicinal results (8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source, 10Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Chronic inflammation contributes to some common health conditions. Curcumin can suppress many molecules known to play major roles in inflammation, but its bioavailability needs to be enhanced.
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- Turmeric can increase the antioxidant capacity of the body
Oxidative damage is believed to be one of the mechanisms behind aging and many diseases.
It involves free radicals, highly reactive molecules with unpaired electrons. Free radicals tend to react with important organic substances, such as fatty acids, proteins, or DNA.
The main reason antioxidants are so beneficial is that they protect your body from free radicals.
Curcumin is a potent antioxidant that can neutralize free radicals due to its chemical structure (11Trusted Source).
In addition, animal and cellular studies suggest that curcumin may block the action of free radicals and may stimulate the action of other antioxidants. Further clinical studies are needed in humans to confirm these benefits (12Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
While curcumin has antioxidant effects, more studies are needed to confirm these benefits.
- Curcumin can boost brain-derived neurotrophic factor
Before scientists had a better understanding of neurons, it was believed that they weren’t able to divide and multiply after early childhood. However, they now know that isn’t the case.
Neurons are capable of forming new connections, and in certain areas of the brain they can multiply and increase in number.
One of the main drivers of this process is brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This is a gene that’s involved in making a protein responsible for promoting the life of neurons.
The BDNF protein plays a role in memory and learning, and it can be found in areas of the brain responsible for eating, drinking, and body weight (13, 14).
Many common brain disorders have been linked to decreased levels of BDNF protein, including depression and Alzheimer’s disease (15Trusted Source, 16Trusted Source).
Interestingly, animal studies have found that curcumin may increase brain levels of BDNF (17, 18).
By doing this, it may be effective in delaying or even reversing many brain diseases and age-related decreases in brain function. Still, since these studies were performed in animals, it’s hard to say what the results mean for humans (19Trusted Source, 20).
It may also help improve memory and attention, which seems logical given its effects on BDNF levels. However, more studies are needed to confirm this (21).
SUMMARY
Curcumin boosts levels of the brain hormone BDNF, which increases the growth of new neurons and may help fight various degenerative processes in your brain.
- Curcumin may lower your risk of heart disease
Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the world (22Trusted Source). Researchers have studied it for many decades and learned a lot about why it happens. Unsurprisingly, heart disease is incredibly complicated and various things contribute to it.
Curcumin may help reverse many steps in the heart disease process (23Trusted Source, 24Trusted Source).
Perhaps the main benefit of curcumin when it comes to heart disease is improving the function of the endothelium, the lining of your blood vessels (25Trusted Source).
The endothelial dysfunction is a major driver of heart disease. This is when your endothelium is unable to regulate blood pressure, blood clotting, and various other factors (26Trusted Source).
Several studies suggest that curcumin can lead to improvements in heart health (27, 28). Additionally, one study found that it’s as effective as exercise in post-menopausal women (29Trusted Source).
In addition, curcumin can help reduce inflammation and oxidation (as discussed above), which can play a role in heart disease.
In one study of 121 people undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, researchers assigned them either a placebo or 4 grams of curcumin per day a few days before and after the surgery.
The curcumin group had a 65% decreased risk of experiencing a heart attack in the hospital (30Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Curcumin has beneficial effects on several factors known to play a role in heart disease. Plus, it’s an anti-inflammatory agent and antioxidant.
- Turmeric may help prevent cancer
Cancer is a disease, characterized by uncontrolled cell growth. There are many different forms of cancer that appear to be affected by curcumin supplements (31).
Curcumin has been studied as a beneficial herb in cancer treatment and been found to affect cancer growth and development (32Trusted Source).
Studies have shown that it can (33, 34):
contribute to the death of cancerous cells
reduce angiogenesis (growth of new blood vessels in tumors)
reduce metastasis (spread of cancer)
Whether high-dose curcumin — preferably with an absorption enhancer like piperine — can help treat cancer in humans has yet to be studied properly.
However, there is evidence that it may prevent cancer from occurring in the first place, especially cancers of the digestive system like colorectal cancer (35Trusted Source).
In a 30-day study in 44 men with lesions in the colon that sometimes turn cancerous, 4 grams of curcumin per day reduced the number of lesions by 40% (36Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Curcumin leads to several changes on the molecular level that may help prevent and perhaps even treat cancer.
- Curcumin may be useful in treating Alzheimer’s disease
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia and may contribute to up 70% of dementia cases (37Trusted Source).
While treatment exits for some of its symptoms, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s yet. That’s why preventing it from occurring in the first place is so important.
There may be good news on the horizon because curcumin has been shown to cross the blood-brain barrier (38Trusted Source).
It’s known that inflammation and oxidative damage play a role in Alzheimer’s disease, and curcumin has beneficial effects on both (39Trusted Source).
In addition, a key feature of Alzheimer’s disease is a buildup of protein tangles called amyloid plaques. Studies show that curcumin can help clear these plaques (40Trusted Source).
Whether curcumin can slow or even reverse the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in people is currently unknown and needs to be studied.
SUMMARY
Curcumin can cross the blood-brain barrier and has been shown to lead to various improvements in the pathological process of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Arthritis patients respond well to curcumin supplements
Arthritis is a common problem in Western countries. There are several different types of arthritis, most of which involve inflammation in the joints.
Given that curcumin is a potent anti-inflammatory compound, it makes sense that it may help with arthritis. In fact, several studies show that there is an association.
In a study in people with rheumatoid arthritis, curcumin was even more effective than an anti-inflammatory drug (41Trusted Source).
May other studies have looked at the effects of curcumin on arthritis and noted improvements in various symptoms (42Trusted Source).
SUMMARY
Arthritis is a common disorder characterized by joint inflammation. Many studies show that curcumin can help treat symptoms of arthritis and is, in some cases, more effective than anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Curcumin has benefits against depression
Curcumin has shown some promise in treating depression.
In a controlled trial, 60 people with depression were randomized into three groups (43Trusted Source). One group took Prozac, another group took 1 gram of curcumin, and the third group took both Prozac and curcumin.
After 6 weeks, curcumin had led to improvements similar to those of Prozac. The group that took both Prozac and curcumin fared best (44Trusted Source).
According to this small study, curcumin is as effective as an antidepressant.
Depression is also linked to reduced levels of BDNF and a shrinking hippocampus, a brain area with a role in learning and memory. Curcumin can help boost BDNF levels, potentially reversing some of these changes (45).
There’s also some evidence that curcumin can boost the brain neurotransmitters serotonin and dopamine (46, 47).
SUMMARY
A study in 60 people with depression showed that curcumin was as effective as Prozac in alleviating symptoms of the condition.
- Curcumin may help delay aging and fight age-related chronic diseases
If curcumin can really help prevent heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s, it may have benefits for longevity as well.
This suggests that curcumin may have potential as an anti-aging supplement (48Trusted Source).
Given that oxidation and inflammation are believed to play a role in aging, curcumin may have effects that go way beyond just preventing disease (49Trusted Source).