Diabetic Neuropathy: More Information

One form of diabetic neuropathy is a condition where the nerves of the body are damaged. It is called “Diabetic Peripheral [of the surface or outer part of the body] Neuropathy”. This type of neuropathy affects the feet and legs, hands and arms, and it can occur on both sides of the body. In fact, 40 percent of type 2 diabetics experience Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy shows up as one or more of the following symptoms:

* Tingling or numbness in the fingers, toes or legs.
* Feeling cold, burning or pain in the hands, feet or legs.
* Extreme sensitivity to touch, even a light touch.
* Sharp pains or cramps.
* Loss of balance and coordination.

These symptoms are often worse at night.

The Cause!

Higher than normal sugar levels in the body cause the outer sheathing [protective covering] of nerve cells to degenerate. This is similar to an electrical wire that is covered with insulation, and the insulation is beginning to crumble. Without insulation the unprotected wire will start short-circuiting.

In the same way, when the sheathing of nerve cells degenerate, the signals being transmitted are scrambled, resulting in your body receiving signals that are interpreted as numbness, heat, cold, tingling, pain, etc.

It has been known for some time that increased levels of Tiamine (vitamin B1) in the blood stream are very effective in reducing and reversing diabetic neuropathy. Unfortunately, the oral intake of vitamin B1 does not greatly increase the levels of B1 in the blood stream. Previously, the way that blood stream levels of B1 were increased was through periodic intravenous feeding or through injections every few weeks.

The reason that methods like this had to be used is that Tiamine (sometimes spelled Thiamine), like all of the B vitamins, is water-soluble. It cannot be stored in the body and flushes out within 4 to 5 hours. Oral intake of Tiamine over 5 mg results in greatly reduced bioavailability and immediate flushing from the body (this is why urine frequently turns yellow when taking larger doses of B vitamins).

Diabetic neuropathy has also been found to be caused and aggravated by insufficient amounts of Cobalamine (vitamin B12) in the body. Vitamin B12 supports the sheathing that protects nerve cells and additionally promotes the growth of nerve cells and regeneration of damaged neurons [nerve cells].

There has been difficulty in the past in remedying this deficiency, as vitamin B12 is not absorbed well by the body. For this reason much larger amounts have been used in supplementation, but even large oral dosages have not been an adequate solution.

The most common form of vitamin B12 in supplements is a form called Cyanocobalamine. Swallowing 500 micrograms (mcg) of Cyanocobalamine can result in absorption of as little as 1.8 mcg, which is totally inadequate as a daily intake.

Additionally, as the body gets older its ability to absorb vitamin B12 from the small intestine declines rapidly, and it flushes out of the body. Once the Cyanocobalamine is absorbed, before it can be utilized, it must be converted by the body into another form of vitamin B12 called Methylcobalamine. The enzymes needed for converting Cyanocobalamine to Methylcobalamine are not always available, which can prevent the body from getting the usable form of vitamin B12 it needs.

For the above reasons many physicians have recommended regular monthly injections of vitamin B12 to maintain adequate body stores of this vital nutrient.

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(Article from Newsletter Issue 11)