Doctor's Perspective: Three Natural Treatments for Diabetic Neuropathy

If you're a diabetic, there's a good chance that you'll be faced with symptoms of diabetic neuropathy at some point in your life. This common condition is characterized by such symptoms as burning in the extremities, pain, and tingling in the legs and feet. Most importantly, diabetic neuropathy can lead to progressive nerve damage causing loss of sensation in the nerve endings of the extremeties. This can increase the risk of ulceration and infection when foot pain goes unnoticed due to loss of nerve function.

One of the primary forms of treatment for neuropathy are tricyclic antidepressant medications. Although effective, there medications may have side effects which make them difficult for some people to tolerate. This raises the question as to whether there are alternative treatments for diabetic neuropathy. Fortunately, there are some natural supplements that have shown promise for treating this condition. Here are some that have been shown to have some positive benefit:

Capsaicin

You may have already heard about the potential health benefits of capsaicin which is being studied for its potential to prevent and treat symptoms of indigestion, arthritis, and even as a cancer preventative. Capsaicin is found in high quantities in chili peppers. It's currently being investigated for use as a topical agent for treatment of diabetic neuropathy. A recent study compared the effects of capsaicin vs. tricyclic antidepressant medications for neuropathy therapy. After two months, the pain improved equally in both groups with fewer side effects experienced by the group taking the capsaicin. Since capsaicin is applied topically to the affected areas, the biggest complaint was burning at the site of application. A capsaicin preparation can be purchased without a prescription but needs to be used at the highest strength twice daily to achieve results.

Alpha Lipoic Acid

This is an anti-oxidant that can be purchased in capsular form at most vitamin stores. It has been approved for use in neuropathy therapy in Germany due to its reported ability to improve blood flow to nerves. At least fifteen studies using an injected form of alpha lipoic acid or ALA have demonstrated improvement in the pain and burning associated with diabetic neuropathy. Side effects were mild, including headache and vague gastrointestinal symptoms. The problem with this particular treatment is that alpha lipoic acid is only available in pill form in the United States whereas these studies used an injectable form at high doses. It's unclear whether the oral form of ALA taken at a lower dose would have the same beneficial effects. Alpha lipoic acid is also known to be a chelating agent which means it may lower mineral levels in the body. Iron levels should be followed closely when ALA is used.

Evening Primrose Oil

This is another natural supplement that has been investigated in the past for possible treatment of fibrocystic breast disease and menopausal symptoms in women. It's a rich source of omega-6 fatty acids which make up the myelin sheath of nerves. It also has anti-inflammatory properties. Several studies have shown that supplementation with evening primrose oil reduced the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy with minimal side effects. The drawback is that supplementation needs to occur for six to twelve months before results are seen and may require up to ten 500 mg. capsules per day. It should be avoided by anyone taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications since it has anti-platelet activity.
Analysis

Although these supplements all show potential as natural therapy for diabetic neuropathy, it's important to talk to your doctor to see if you would be a candidate for use of these natural treatments for diabetic neuropathy.