Hello and welcome back! We are continuing today flipping the script of last weeks article, "Foods to Eat with Neuropathy." Remember, not all of these items will apply to you and your specific type of neuropathy, but I have tried to cover the basics as well as some major ones for certain types of nephropathy.
Control your Blood Sugar to avoid Diabetic Neuropathy
While and obvious one for many of sufferers, it is one that we should all be mindful of and watch because if you already have neuropathy from some other cause, you most certainly do not want to make it worse because of high blood sugar (up to one-half of diabetics have peripheral neuropathy and more than 30 percent have autonomic nuropathy). So, eat to maintain your blood glucose levels by limiting sweets, beverages with added sugar, and large portions of foods that are high in starches or carbohydrates. Carbohydrates were always a challenge for me as I never realized how certain ones are worse for you than others and what amount of carbs we should have per day. A good rule of thumb is to stick to low carb foods. Try to limit foods that have added sugars or are made with refined grains/carbs, such as white bread, white rice, and most pasta. Opt for carbs such as fruit, vegetables, whole grain bread, brown rice, and beans.
Watch Your Intake of Vitamin B6
I touched on this in the other article, but remember that most of us will need to take extra forms of Vitamin B supplements because often times neuropathy will deplete these. However, while Vitamin B6 is vital for nerve health, too much of it can actually be toxic to the nerves and can actually lead to tingling and neuropathy itself. The RDA of vitamin B6 is 2 milligrams (mg) per day, but many B6 supplements may contain 100 mg or more which is probably fine in most cases as stated above. Just realize that doses of greater than 200 mg may cause neuropathy, as well as fatigue, problems with movement and breathing, and vomiting. These symptoms appear to be reversible after use is stopped. Remember that B6 can be an additive in all sorts of packaged foods too. The best idea here is to have your blood levels checked regularly to make sure you are not in excess of Vitamin B6.
Understand how your body interacts with Gluten
It seems that in just about everything we eat, there is gluten. What is gluten, you might ask? Gluten is a general name for the proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. It is like a glue that helps foods maintain their shape. The problem is, many people are allergic it and don’t even realize it. While Celiac disease is a risk factor for neuropathy, many people can also have a Gluten Sensitivity that could cause neuropathy which may or may not show up on the available tests for it. In-toleration of gluten causes inflammation which we know is no good. So it may be beneficial if you are not sure what caused your neuropathy to try a gluten free diet and see if this improves your overall feeling. The reason I resist telling all sufferers with neuropahty to go on gluten free diets, is that going gluten free can also set you up for some nutritional deficiencie. So, if you do decide to go this way, research the diets and make sure you are getting enough things such as fiber from other foods.
Limit or Avoid Alcohol
Besides being high in sugar as well, heavy alcohol use can result in malabsorption of the nutrients needed for healthy nerves, such as vitamin B12, as well as direct poisoning of nerves. Symptoms of alcohol-related neuropathy include nerve pain, tingling, burning, muscle weakness and cramps, erectile dysfunction, and heat intolerance. If you are already experiencing these symptoms and your doctor determines they are alcohol-related, the best course of action to help manage your symptoms is to stop drinking alcohol.
Saturated Fats
The amount and type of fat in your diet can affect nerve function. Having elevated levels of fat circulating in your blood can damage delicate nerve fibers and cause or worsen neuropathy. It can also cause inflammation. The saturated fat found in animal foods has the most potent effect on raising levels of LDL, a harmful form of cholesterol. Reducing your saturated fat intake can help support nerve function and prevent your neuropathy from getting worse. Here are some ways to do so:
Limit fast food
Choose low-fat dairy
Avoid processed meats
Opt for lean cuts of meat
Bake and broil instead of frying
Reduce intake of animal foods
Stick with unsaturated oils like olive, sesame, and walnut
Fish, mercury, and neuropathy
Fish supply essential fats that your body needs to function properly, and while it’s recommended that you eat at least two servings per week to reap health benefits, you must exercise caution if you have neuropathy. Certain fish are high in mercury, a toxin that at elevated levels can damage nerves and cause or worsen neuropathy.
Large fish live longer and accumulate more mercury than smaller fish. King mackerel, orange roughy, swordfish, tuna, and grouper are high in mercury. If you have neuropathy, choose low-mercury fish like:
Cod
Salmon
Catfish
Pollock
Haddock
Tilapia
Trout
Artificial Sweeteners
I know, we are taking everything good in life away!! I am not saying take artificial sweeteners away, but many studies suggest that in some cases they can have the same or worse effects than regular sugar.
The key here like everything else in life is moderation! Diet is essential to all of us, but maybe a little more important to us with nephropathy. Remember to eat throughout the day to keep you nutrients up! Protein is also key for nerve function so snacks such as hard boiled eggs, cheese, or nuts mixed in with vegetables and fruits is a great idea.
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