Sugary Snacks: Snacks or desserts such as ice cream, cookies, candy, and even excess fruit consumption should be avoided by neuropathy patients. High levels of blood sugar impact nerve damage, especially in those with diabetic neuropathy.
As high levels of blood sugar can contribute to nerve damage in peripheral neuropathy, patients should avoid foods such as candy, ice cream, soft drinks, fruit juices, and pastries.
Foods that are high in sugar – Sugar can aggravate nerve pain and discomfort, so it is best to avoid foods that are high in sugar. This includes sugary snacks, desserts, and processed foods.
Known as “unhealthy fats,” these can be found in most fatty meats and high-fat dairy products. When consumed in excess, these fats lead to inflammation and increase the risk for type 2 diabetes, both of which exacerbate peripheral neuropathy.
Processed meats are high in sodium, which can lead to nerve damage and worsen the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy. These include meats such as hot dogs, sausages, and bacon. It is best to avoid these foods and opt for healthier options such as lean meats and fish.
It has been proposed that cocoa has hypoglycemic, lipid-lowering, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, and thus, potentially have a beneficial direct or indirect effect on diabetic neuropathy.
Neuropathy patients can often find themselves with lower levels of B12. It's important to eat foods high in B12, such as eggs, milk or cheese.
Vitamin B12
It's been shown that even high doses of vitamin B12 can potentially repair damaged nerves. Good sources of vitamin B12 are yogurt, fatty fish such as salmon, cod, and sardines.
Reducing or eliminating meat, cheese, and milk should help balance your blood sugar, which can calm nerve pain. Drink plenty of water to keep nutrients flowing.
A 2-wk course of tart cherry juice significantly improved nondiabetic peripheral neuropathy in the majority of patients in the study.
Water reduces nerve stress, and it can help to relax muscles. That can mean reduced pain, healthier nerves, and faster recovery from nerve damage. Be sure to drink plenty of water alongside your diet to keep your body and nerves hydrated.
Heat or cold on the painful area. One or both may be helpful. Sometimes switching between heat and ice may work the best for you: Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the sore area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time.
In conclusion, six-week honey treatment helped in reducing dyslipidemia and oxidative stress. Honey given along with insulin for six-weeks improved sensory nerve conduction velocity in experimental diabetic neuropathy Wistar rats.
Ice Cream. Although full fat dairy can fit into a healthy eating pattern, too much of it can backfire on the body. Full fat ice cream is brimming with artery clogging saturated fat, which is associated with inflammation.
Regular exercise, such as walking three times a week, can reduce neuropathy pain, improve muscle strength and help control blood sugar levels. Gentle routines such as yoga and tai chi might also help.
Neuropathic pain can also cause people to be overly sensitive to touch. For example, people may find that the slightest pressure or friction from clothing or a gentle touch can aggravate the nerves and cause pain.
The main medicines recommended for neuropathic pain include: amitriptyline – also used for treatment of headaches and depression. duloxetine – also used for treatment of bladder problems and depression. pregabalin and gabapentin – also used to treat epilepsy, headaches or anxiety.
Whole grains.
For carbohydrates, choose whole grains such as brown rice, oatmeal, quinoa, buckwheat, millet, and sprouted grain bread. The outer shell of the grain, which is maintained in whole grains, contains important B vitamins that are important for brain and nerve health.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins, which help calm the nervous system.
Green and leafy vegetables.
Broccoli, spinach and asparagus all contain vitamin B, a nutrient important for nerve regeneration and nerve function. Spinach, broccoli and kale also contain a micronutrient called alpha-lipoic acid that prevents nerve damage and improves nerve function.
Brain health: Eggs contain vitamins and minerals that are necessary for the brain and the nervous system to function effectively. Energy production: Eggs contain all the nutrients that the body needs to produce energy.
Certain foods, such as berries, almonds, and tomatoes, have properties that naturally ease the inflammation that's often linked to chronic pain. Whole foods and vegetables are also loaded with essential nutrients that can encourage tissues healing and minimize discomfort from nerve damage.
Replacing those items with foods that contain unsaturated fats, such as fish, peanut butter, avocados, olives, almonds, plant-based oils and seeds, can be beneficial.