Mailbag: This Secret “Shuts Off” Nerve Pain

Dear Living Well Daily Reader,

You’ve got questions…

We’ve got answers!

Neuropathy is a painful and uncomfortable problem for many folks.

It can cause pain, tingling or numbness in your feet and legs and even pins and needles in your hands.

And if you’re diabetic, you’re at greater risk for experiencing this kind of agony.

But you’re not alone.

Many Living Well Daily readers have written in with questions about neuropathy, and today, I’m going to introduce you to a certain vitamin that may help combat it.

This simple, natural secret may help you finally shut off that nerve pain once and for all.

Let’s dive in…

Hey, Natalie,

I’ve heard neuropathy can be caused by a vitamin deficiency. Do you know if this is true? And if so, how do I find out if that’s what’s causing my problem?

Thanks,

Julian G.

Thanks for the important question, Julian.

Neuropathy is the result of damage to your nerves, and it primarily affects the legs, feet and hands. Depending on which nerves are affected, symptoms range from numbness, tingling and pain in the extremities to more severe symptoms like digestive and heart issues.

High blood sugar or diabetes can damage your nerves and cause neuropathy.

For some folks, neuropathy is a minor annoyance — for others, it can be disabling, painful and even deadly. Regardless of where you fall in this range, there’s a natural substance that can help you combat this kind of nerve damage and the pain that comes with it — vitamin B12.

In fact, having low vitamin B12 levels can increase your risk of experiencing neuropathy, regardless if it’s caused by diabetes or not.

But being diabetic puts you at even greater risk for experiencing neuropathy.

You see, diabetics are 22 percent more likely to be B12 deficient than folks without diabetes. And when you couple that with the fact that one of the leading diabetes medications, metformin, can rapidly decrease your vitamin B12 levels, you can see why many diabetics experience neuropathy.

So if you’re diabetic and taking metformin, there’s a good chance you’ll develop neuropathy.

But diabetes and medications aren’t your only worries when it comes to depleting B12 levels. Age, poor diet, certain acid-reflux meds and drinking alcohol can also lower your levels and lead to painful neuropathy.

On the other hand, maintaining a healthy B12 level can protect your nerves and help keep your neuropathy symptoms at bay.

Fortunately, upping your B12 intake is easy to do on your own. One easy way is to eat more B12-rich foods, like red meat, eggs and poultry. Or you can simply take a B12 supplement. For best results, find a supplement that contains B12 in its natural form, methylcobalamin.

If you suspect you’re B12 deficient, you should talk to you doctor about it. They can order a simple blood test to determine your status and may recommend B12 injections or supplementations to boost your levels.

Do you have any health questions you want answered? Drop me a line at nmoore@lfb.org.

Live well,

Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily

Ed. Note: Please send your feedback: nmoore@lfb.org – and click here to like us on Facebook.


Sources

[1] Nutritional and Vitamin Deficiency Neuropathy

[2] The Prevalence of Vitamin B12 Deficiency in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study

[3] Study of Vitamin B12 deficiency and peripheral neuropathy in metformin-treated early Type 2 diabetes mellitus

[4] Keeping Tabs on Vitamin B Advised with Metformin

Natalie Moore

Written By Natalie Moore

Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.

View More Free Articles

Scientists Discover Hidden CAUSE of Stubborn Diabetes

If, despite diet and exercise, you’re struggling to control type 2 diabetes, this might be the most important thing you read this year. New research uncovered a microscopic malfunction in muscle cells—and it could be sabotaging your body’s response to insulin. The most shocking part? It has nothing to do with your diet, weight, or...

Read This

Mailbag: 7 Natural Allergy Fighters That Won't Leave You Drowsy

“I have a really bad allergy and take an antihistamine every 3rd day because they are bad for your health.  I really need to take one a day but I suffer so I will not overdo it. Is there anything out there that is natural that really works? Thank you,” Sneezy and Allergic Hi Sneezy, It’s...

Read This

Eat 23 of These Daily to SLASH Heart Risk [DELICIOUS!]

When it comes to heart health, we’re constantly told what we need to cut out. You know the drill—ditch the salt, dump the sugar, and avoid the processed foods. But what if I told you that adding something to your diet could be just as effective for protecting your heart? A comprehensive new scientific analysis...

Read This

"Yellow Devil" Fruit CRUSHES Blood Pressure Better Than Meds

I have a confession to make. I hate bananas. Even the smell of them causes my stomach to flip. The funny thing is that I have an uncle and a daughter who are the same—so I wonder if it’s genetic. But even though I consider them the yellow devil of the fruit world, I recommend...

Read This

50-Cent Nutrient Puts the Brakes on Aging

Scientists discovered a remarkable “anti-aging” solution hiding in plain sight. It isn’t some exotic compound from a remote rainforest or an expensive laboratory creation. It’s a nutrient you can find at any pharmacy for less than the cost of a cup of coffee. The trouble is, most seniors aren’t getting enough of it, which researchers...

Read This

The Hidden Brain Risk Lurking in Your Living Room

If you’re reading this while settled into your favorite chair, you might want to consider standing up… New research uncovered something that might surprise you. Sitting too much can literally shrink your brain. But it gets worse… We all know being sedentary isn’t good for our health. However, researchers at Vanderbilt University uncovered something alarming....

Read This

“Biohack” Your Life Like a Billionaire?! Here’s How

You’ve probably seen the headlines about the billionaire who spent millions on “biohacking” to try to make himself younger. He measures hundreds of biomarkers and pops dozens of pills daily. And he’s undergoing experimental treatments that cost more than most folks’ houses. It may have left you wondering if regular people like you and I...

Read This

Do THIS Daily to Improve Strength, Flexibility, and Endurance

For any couch potatoes out there… I have some exciting news. If you’ve been avoiding exercise because you hate the gym or don’t have the time, that might be about to change. A groundbreaking study reveals how a few simple moves, done daily in your own home, could dramatically improve your fitness—even if you’ve skipped...

Read This

Mailbag: A Post-Prostate Cancer Blueprint for a Better Recovery

“My son just got his prostate removed because of cancer. He is doing well and recovering. My question is there any information you can forward with regards to his lifestyle? Are there things he should not eat, things he should be eating, is social drinking a risk, any vitamins that should be on his list?...

Read This

The Stroke-Boosting Threat Lurking in YOUR Arteries

We want to take a moment on this Memorial Day to honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation. Their courage, dedication, and selfless commitment to protecting our freedoms will never be forgotten, and their legacy lives on in the country they helped preserve. I’ve warned you...

Read This