Welcome to another video! Do you know the best vitamins to support healthy
nerves? These vitamins not only help keep your nervous
system healthy, they may also alleviate a painful condition known as "neuropathy". In this video, we use the word "vitamins"
broadly to include nutrients such as amino acids and antioxidants. Some of these vitamins are available as supplements,
others are present in certain vegetables, fruits, and natural foods. Continue watching to learn how these vitamins
may reduce symptoms of neuropathy and prevent it from occurring. Make sure you stay through to number 1, as
this nutrient is not well known among the best vitamins for your nerves.
Remember, this video is educational, we are
not giving you medical advice, and you should always check with your doctor if you plan
to supplement along with your medication. With this disclaimer out of the way, do you
know what neuropathy means? The word neuropathy refers to nerve damage,
which results in a feeling of numbness, tingling or "pins and needles", muscle weakness and
pain in the affected areas. For some people the feeling may be in their
hands or feet, others feel it on their head, face, and even internal organs. Neuropathy is often called peripheral neuropathy,
as it indicates a problem in the peripheral nervous system, which is the network of nerves
outside your brain and spinal cord. Neuropathy happens when nerve cells, called
neurons, are damaged or destroyed.
The resulting pain can be long-lasting, sharp,
and sometimes chronic. In many cases, people feel limited in their
ability to move and function, so it can be incredibly debilitating. There are a lot of reasons why people get
this condition. Some of the most common ones include injury
to nerves from accidents or toxins like alcohol and drugs; infections such as Shingles or HIV/AIDS; metabolic syndrome (high blood pressure, high
cholesterol, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease), or vitamin deficiencies; and inheritance disorders. In many cases, the cause is idiopathic, which
means that doctors can't figure out what caused it.
Did you know that neuropathy is more common
than you might think? It is estimated that about 25% to 30% of Americans
will be affected by neuropathy. Even though there are medications out there
to treat some neuropathies, these can have side effects. So, changing your diet can be an effective
way to battle neuropathy. Let's begin with our Number 11. Acetyl-L-carnitine. That is a mouthful, isn’t it? When you consume this amino acid, your body
gets energized, as you are giving it fuel for metabolic processes. Some studies have shown that Acetyl-L-carnitine
(ALC) may significantly reduce pain and help injured nerves regrow in people with peripheral
and diabetic neuropathy. ALC can be taken as a supplement, but you
can also find it in fish, meat, poultry, and dairy products. For better effect, you can take 3 grams of
ALC a day. Studies have found that this supplement is
safe, but should not be consumed if you are on blood thinners. Number 10.
Alpha-lipoic acid. Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is used in the body
to break down carbohydrates and to make energy for the other organs in the body. This powerful antioxidant has been used to
treat diabetic neuropathy. You can get it as a supplement, though in
some cases it is also given via IV. A normal dose is 600-1,200mg per day. Some foods contain little amounts of ALA,
including liver, red meat, brewer’s yeast, spinach, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts. Studies show that taking this supplement can
help with pain, and may even reduce blood sugar levels. Number 9.
N-Acetyl cysteine. N-acetyl cysteine (NAC) is the supplement
form of cysteine, an amino acid and antioxidant. While NAC is not available in food, cysteine
is present in foods with a high amount of protein, such as pork, beef, chicken, fish,
lentils, oatmeal, eggs, low-fat yogurt, sunflower seeds, and cheese. Some preliminary studies show that NAC can
help reduce neuropathic pain, improve coordination, and remove damage from oxidative stress. —————- Number 8. B Vitamin Complex. B vitamins are essential for a fully functioning
metabolism. Their primary function is to help your body
metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats, and to use the stored energy in food. When we do not get enough B vitamins, we feel
sluggish, tired, and even anemic.
The B vitamins include thiamin, riboflavin,
niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, biotin, folate, and vitamin B12. When it comes to neuropathy, you should prioritize
thiamin, vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. Thiamin inhibits inflammation pathways, which
lowers pain. Vitamin B6 helps preserve nerve endings, reducing
the extensive damage that neuropathy can cause. And finally, vitamin B12 gives you an energy
boost, improves cognition, and relieves fatigue. Foods that are rich in B vitamins include
animal-based foods such as red meats, poultry, seafood, shellfish, eggs and dairy and plant-based
foods like dark leafy greens, legumes, nuts and seeds. You can also get a B vitamin complex supplement,
but do choose one that is made from natural, whole foods. Watch our previous video on warning signs
of Vitamin B12 deficiency for more information. Number 7. Glutathione. Glutathione is a powerful antioxidant that
can help stop damage to your body, which helps prevent disease, aging faster and chronic
inflammation. It is composed of three amino acids: glutamine,
glycine, and cysteine. Yes, you can obtain glutathione from spinach,
avocados, asparagus and okra, and other greens like broccoli, brussel sprouts and cabbage
– but do know it's poorly absorbed by the body.
Studies have also found that glutathione may
be an effective supplement in treating neuropathy caused by cancer drugs. Aside from neuropathy, taking glutathione
can reduce the risk for other diseases, like Parkinson’s, diabetes, and heart disease. Number 6. Omega-3 Fish Oil. Fish oil contains high amounts of omega-3
fatty acids. These fats are essential to our diets for
their anti-inflammatory properties. Two crucial ones – EPA and DHA – are primarily
found in certain fish like anchovies, herring, mackerel, salmon, sturgeon, lake trout and
tuna. 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. A study has found that fish oil supplements
can boost nerve health, enabling nerves to transmit signals more effectively and keep
them from dying or atrophying – two things that can contribute to chronic pain. Taking fish oil can slow the progression of
neuropathy, especially for those that suffer from diabetes.
For the most part, natural fish oil is safe,
so you can add about 2,400 to 5,400 mg per day to your diet. Fish oil also has proven benefits for brain,
heart, eyes, skin and blood sugar, making it mighty and very healthy! Number 5. Magnesium. Magnesium is a mineral involved in hundreds
of chemical reactions, from making DNA to helping your muscles contract. Despite its importance, up to 68% of American
adults don’t meet the recommended daily intake of 400 mg. Magnesium is proven to play an essential role
in pain processes and helping our bodies fight off new pain pathways. Regularly consuming magnesium improves neuropathic
symptoms like neuralgia, diabetic neuropathy, and peripheral neuropathy. You can supplement with magnesium, but note
that some types of magnesium are better absorbed than others. You can also get enough magnesium from food. Try eating more dark chocolate, avocados,
nuts, legumes, tofu, seeds, whole grains, fatty fish, bananas and leafy greens. Number 4. Glutamine. Glutamine is the most abundant amino acid
in your body. It helps support healthy digestion by providing
fuel for cells in your digestive tract, which can be helpful for those who suffer from disorders
like Crohn's Disease.
And it’s not just about digestion – glutamine
is an energy source for immune cells and has been shown to promote wound healing! Our bodies naturally use glutamine to build
protein, and you can find this nutrient in foods like chicken, fish, cabbage, spinach,
dairy, tofu, lentils, beans. It can help treat neuropathy that is caused
by chemotherapy and medications. In most cases, glutamine is prescribed to
those that develop weak muscles and who lose muscle mass due to cancer treatment. Number 3. Turmeric. It should come as no surprise that this superfood
is on this list. Turmeric contains a biologically active compound
known as curcumin, which is a powerful anti-inflammatory. Curcumin has been used in the treatment of
arthritis, Alzheimer’s, and even depression, as well as cardiovascular disease. For neuropathy, curcumin helps relieve numbness,
tingling or pain in the hands and feet. Studies have shown that turmeric regulates
the expression of the gene that is involved in neuropathic pain. It also inhibits the pathways that promote
inflammation and can lead to chronic illness and pain. You can still add turmeric seasoning to your
meals, however, for best results, try liposomal turmeric.
Curcumin is present in higher amounts in turmeric
extract supplements for increased potency. Number 2. Capsaicin. Capsaicin is the active compund found in different
types of hot peppers, such as cayenne peppers, that makes the peppers spicy hot. Many people suffering from conditions like
arthritis, post-surgical pain, and neuralgia, use capsaicin creams, gels or patches to numb
the pain. Applying capsaicin can help reduce the tingling
and pain in the extremities that comes with diabetic neuropathy.
Since this method is non-invasive, you will
not have to add more pills to your diet! And lastly Number 1. Coenzyme Q10. CoQ10 or Coenzyme Q10 (ubiquinone) is a fat-soluble
molecule that has significant benefits for people with cardiovascular disease. CoQ10 plays two major roles in your body:
energy and protection. It gives energy to your nerve cells which
need more nutrition than most other cells. And as a powerful antioxidant it protects
your body from pollution and toxins in the environment and within your body. All cells need CoQ10 for their energy needs. CoQ10 is found throughout the body in cell
membranes, especially in the mitochondria, and is abundant in the heart, lungs, liver,
kidneys, spleen, pancreas, and adrenal glands. Your brain, heart and nerve cells need the
most energy.
Nerve cells are sick or damaged in neuropathy
and for them to heal they need adequate levels of CoQ10. In one study, neuropathy symptoms such as
pain and tingling improved and in fact were cut in half or better on CoQ10. The nerves were also healing with an improved
speed for conducting impulses. However, the amount of CoQ10 in our body decreases
as we age. You can eat foods like organ meats, fatty
fish, spinach, cauliflower, broccoli, oranges, and lentils to get more CoQ10. When supplementing with CoQ10, consider the
more easily absorbed form known as Ubiquinol. There you have them! Try one or more of these 11 natural vitamins
and see what works for you! To learn about a breakthrough combination
of nutrients that may emancipate you from your numbness, tingling and burning, click
the link in the description. Remember that lifestyle habits also make a
difference, so accompany your supplements with a healthy diet, a good night's sleep,
exercise, and low-stress levels. Most of these vitamins are in natural foods
already in our diets, so you can start by consuming more of these.
If you enjoyed this video, Like, Share and
Subscribe and turn on Notifications so you never miss a video. And now, over to you: Are you or a loved one experiencing neuropathy
symptoms? Are you taking any of these vitamins to support
healthy nerves and calm neuropathic pain? If so, please share how it has worked for
you. Leave your comment below! And be sure to check out our other videos!.
