Relieving Neuropathy Pain Naturally

Relieving Neuropathy Pain Naturally: Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12

Are you experiencing pain due to peripheral neuropathy, a condition that causes nerve damage, and is most commonly caused by diabetes? If you are trying some of the other methods I have been talking about for relieving neuropathy pain naturally, you might also want to consider nutrition as a natural treatment for neuropathy pain. More specifically, B vitamins may be useful in reducing neuropathy pain.

This is part of a series of posts on Natural ways to find pain relief from Neuropathy. You can start at the beginning with my post on using

Relaxation to assist in relieving the pain of Neuropathy

Vitamin B for Pain Relief

First, vitamin B1 or Thiamin is said to improve nerve function and decrease pain associated with peripheral neuropathy. While the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) for B1 is 1.2-1.5mg for adult males and 1-5mg for adult females, doctors tend to give therapeutic doses of B1 of 50-100mg per day.

Next, B2 or Riboflavin is important in producing energy for the body. It also converts vitamin B6 into energy we can use within our bodies. It is known that deficiencies in Riboflavin can lead to peripheral neuropathy, so taking B2 may be especially helpful for individuals whose neuropathy was caused by such a deficiency. The RDA for B2 is 1.7mg for non-exercising adults and between 2-2.5mg for exercising individuals.

B3 or Niacin is also important in the treatment of neuropathy pain. Vitamin B3 helps the nervous system to function correctly and improves circulation within the bloodstream. It is believed adults can take up to 35mg of Niacin each day without any negative side effects.

While too much Pyridoxine or vitamin B6 can lead to peripheral neuropathy, therapeutic doses of this vitamin can help reduce neuropathy pain. More specifically, B6 helps produce hormones that assist in moving oxygen in the bloodstream, known as prostaglandins.

Clinical Research on Vitamins B1, B6 and B12

A clinical study conducted in Tanzania showed the effectiveness of a combination therapy with vitamins B1 and B6 on neuropathy pain. The study was conducted at the Muhimbili University College of Health Sciences and was published in the East African Medical Journal in 1997. Two hundred participants with diabetes and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy took part in this study. One hundred participants were randomly assigned to receive 25mg of B1 and 50mg of B6 each day, while the other 100 participants received 1mg of B1 and B6 each day.

The results indicated after four weeks of treatment with therapeutic doses of the vitamins, 48.9% of participants reported a decrease in the severity of their symptoms and signs of neuropathy while only 11.4% of those receiving 1mg of each vitamin daily reported such a decrease. The study indicates B1 and B6 taken in combination may be beneficial for reducing neuropathy pain.

Finally, vitamin B12, Cobalamin, may be beneficial to those who suffer from neuropathy pain as well. Research indicates deficiencies in B12 sometimes leads to the development of neuropathy, so this vitamin may be especially beneficial to individuals who have such a deficiency. Research has also shown B12 decreases the pain caused by the condition. The RDA for B12 is 6 micrograms per day.

B vitamins are another way in which you may be able to treat neuropathy pain naturally. In my next few posts I will discuss other vitamins and minerals that may help decrease pain caused by this nerve condition.

The read the next article in this series on Natural Ways to Pain Relief for Neuropathy

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I obtained information used to write this post from the book, Numb Toes and Aching Soles: Coping With Peripheral Neuropathy by John A. Senneff.

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