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If you are diabetic and have burning pain, numbness or tingling in your legs or feet, you probably have diabetic neuropathy. With this condition the sensory nerves are damaged because of poor circulation. Diabetic neuropathy is very common—and it’s a major cause of foot and leg amputations. Fortunately, there are some natural approaches that are quite effective.

The most important part of treating diabetic neuropathy is good blood sugar control. With Type 2 diabetes, this is often achieved with diet and exercise, but medications, or even insulin, may be needed. Whatever it takes, get your blood sugar down to avoid neuropathy and other complications.

If you’ve had diabetes for a few years you may already have neuropathy. If so, I recommend that you take large doses of B-vitamins—in particular B6 (pyridoxine), B12 and folate. These are so effective that they are now available as prescriptions (Metanx and Folast) and are sometimes covered by insurance. Of course, you can buy these from any reputable supplement company for far less than the drug companies charge. I recommend the following doses:

Folate – 2 mg per day as methyl-folate
B6 – 20 mg per day
B12 – 2 mg (2000 mcgs) per day

These are estimates, but because B-vitamins are water-soluble, it’s hard to take too much. In fact, you may want to double these doses for the first month.

Keep in mind that vitamin B12 is often poorly absorbed. This is especially the case with the elderly, patients on acid blockers, and ironically, those taking metformin—the most common medication prescribed for Type 2 diabetes. To get around this you might consider a monthly B12 shot or take a sub-lingual (under the tongue) tablet.

Perhaps one of the most effective treatments available is alpha-lipoic acid (ALA). Several studies have shown that this powerful anti-oxidant can dramatically reduce the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. The best results have been seen with intravenous use of ALA for 2-3 weeks followed by oral supplementation (I recommend ALAmax made by Xymogen). An added benefit to ALA is that it often lowers blood sugars. For this reason, those on insulin or other medication may have to modify their doses based on their blood sugars and their doctor’s advice.

Even if you’re not having pain, if you have diabetes, ask your doctor to check your feet for loss of sensation. If this is the case, pay special attention to foot care and start taking the above steps to improve nerve function.

Dr. Angier has his undergraduate degree in nutrition. He practices at
GET WELL in Saint Augustine, Florida.