TLDR;
This video discusses nine holistic ways to treat diabetic neuropathy, emphasizing that addressing the root cause—oxidative damage to nerve cells—is crucial. It covers various natural treatments, including glucose management, antioxidant supplementation (alpha lipoic acid, benfotiamine, L-carnitine, B vitamins, vitamin D), dietary adjustments (cayenne pepper), lifestyle changes (exercise, warm baths, smoking cessation), and alternative therapies (aromatherapy, meditation, acupuncture). The video stresses the importance of prevention through maintaining stable blood sugar levels and incorporating beneficial nutrients and lifestyle practices.
- Controlling blood sugar is the best way to prevent and postpone neuropathy.
- Antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, benfotiamine, and L-carnitine can defend against nerve damage.
- Lifestyle changes such as exercise, quitting smoking, and meditation can alleviate neuropathy symptoms.
Introduction to Diabetic Neuropathy [0:00]
The video addresses diabetic neuropathy, a condition affecting the extremities and causing weakness, discomfort, and numbness, often in the hands and feet. Diabetic neuropathy can start even in the pre-diabetes stage, disrupting the messages sent from the brain and spinal cord due to nerve damage caused by oxidative stress and inflammation. This damage can stem from diabetes, alcohol, infection, trauma, or autoimmune issues, affecting the body's response to pain and temperature.
Understanding Nerve Types and Symptoms [2:20]
The speaker underscores the importance of treating the root cause of neuropathy, which is oxidative damage to the nerve cells. There are different types of nerves: motor nerves (for movement), sensory nerves (for sensing temperature or pain), and autonomic nerves (for autonomous functions like digestion and sweating). Neuropathy symptoms vary depending on the nerves affected, including tingling, numbness, sensitivity to touch, loss of reflexes, nausea, dizziness, excessive sweating, and irregular heart rate.
Treatment #1: Controlling Blood Sugars [4:41]
The primary natural treatment for diabetic neuropathy is controlling blood sugar levels. Effective glucose management can prevent, postpone, and slow down the progression of neuropathy in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels is crucial, as both high and low blood sugar can negatively affect the nerves, even if the A1C is within the target range.
Treatment #2: Improving Antioxidant Defense [5:36]
The video highlights the importance of improving the body's defense against oxidative damage by using antioxidants. Free radicals, molecules with unpaired electrons, cause oxidative damage by seeking electrons from other molecules, damaging cells and DNA. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals by donating electrons, preventing further damage. The speaker introduces SugarMD Neuropathy Support, a supplement containing antioxidants like alpha lipoic acid, benfotiamine, L-carnitine, B12, B6, and vitamin D.
Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) and Benfotiamine [7:41]
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) boosts the nerve's antioxidant defense by combating free radicals, which are byproducts of the body's conversion of food to energy. Benfotiamine, a B1 vitamin, enhances glucose metabolism by boosting the enzyme transketolase, reducing the accumulation of toxic glucose metabolites that can harm nerves. It also protects endothelial cells from glucose-induced damage, benefiting both neuropathy and retinopathy.
L-Carnitine and B Vitamins [11:15]
Acetyl-L-carnitine supports the brain's natural defenses against nerve damage, memory loss, and cognitive decline, which are common in diabetes. It is essential for converting long-chain fatty acids into energy and boosts the activity of nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. B vitamins, particularly B12 and B6, are crucial for maintaining the myelin sheath that protects nerves. Vitamin D also has neuroprotective effects by preventing oxidative nerve injury.
Treatment #3: Cayenne Pepper [12:51]
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin, known for its pain-relieving qualities. It can be used topically or ingested to reduce pain sensation by deceiving the brain. Consistent use of capsaicin ointments can diminish neuropathy symptoms, although it may initially cause a burning feeling.
Treatment #4: Working Out [13:53]
Regular exercise can help manage discomfort and improve overall health. Physical activity and endurance exercises raise the body's pain threshold and lower blood sugar levels, improving blood flow to the arms and legs where nerves are located. Exercise also helps lower stress levels, contributing to the reduction of discomfort and pain.
Treatments #5-7: Warm Baths, Quitting Smoking, and Aromatherapy [14:35]
Taking warm baths can be relaxing and help with neuropathy pain symptoms by improving blood circulation. Quitting smoking is crucial, as smoking negatively impacts blood circulation, worsening neuropathy symptoms. Aromatherapy oils, such as chamomile or roman lavender, may help circulation and have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities.
Treatments #8-9: Meditation and Acupuncture [16:03]
Meditation can help manage neuropathy symptoms by reducing stress and improving coping abilities, potentially reducing pain intensity. Acupuncture stimulates the body's pressure points, promoting natural healing and altering pain perception by releasing substances in the nervous system.
Importance of Prevention [17:04]
The speaker emphasizes that prevention is more effective than treatment. Maintaining stable blood sugar levels, taking supplements like benfotiamine, alpha lipoic acid, L-carnitine, and B complex vitamins, and consuming a diet rich in vegetables and fruits can help prevent neuropathy. The video concludes by encouraging viewers to pay attention to their symptoms and consider the discussed natural approaches.