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Diabetes and Neuropathy
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Diabetic Neuropathy can affect virtually every part of the body. Diabetic nerve damage eventually affects some 65 percent of people with diabetes. As with other diabetes complications, poor blood glucose control lies at the root of neuropathy. Symptoms and types of neuropathy. (Peripheral Neuropathy, Autonomic Neuropathy, Focal Neuropathy)
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ADA Survey Finds Lack of Neuropathy Awareness
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A new national survey commissioned by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) reveals that, while the majority of people with diabetes experience symptoms associated with diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) -- only a small minority have been diagnosed with this condition. And, a staggering 56% of patients have never even heard of diabetic neuropathy. (neuropathy symptoms, diabetes care, diabetes statistics)
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Diabetic Neuropathies
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Neuropathies lead to numbness and sometimes pain and weakness in the hands, arms, feet, and legs. Problems may also occur in every organ system, including the digestive tract, heart, and sex organs. An estimated 50 percent of those with diabetes have some form of neuropathy, but not all with neuropathy have symptoms. (Types of Neuropathy, Proximal Neuropathy, Focal Neuropathy, Neuropathy Treatment)
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Hitting A Nerve
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Neuropathy is one of the best arguments to fight blood glucose control. It's a nerve disorder that can affect almost every system in your body. It results from bursts of high blood glucose that cause oxidative stress to the nerves. (Peripheral Neuropathy, Autonomic Neuropathy)
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Neuropathy - Nutrient Therapies
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Biotin, choline, inositol, and thiamine are B vitamins that have all been found useful in treating the peripheral and autonomic neuropathies found in diabetes. In addition, Alpha-lipoic acid has long been used in Europe for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy in diabetics. Acetyl-L-Carnitine has been found to have important links to peripheral nerve function. (Diabetic Neuropathy, Benfotiamine, Diabetic Product, Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)
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Diabetic Neuropathy: What Can I Do About It?
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People who don't control (or can't control) their blood sugar very well seem more likely to get diabetic neuropathy. Symptoms can include numbness in your feet and toes, pain in your legs, a feeling of lightheadedness that causes you to fall, diarrhea and constipation and failure to get erections (in men).
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Alpha-Lipoic Acid Improves Neuropathy Symptoms
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In people with diabetes, alpha-lipoic acid appears to enhance insulin action and blood vessel circulation, protect against diabetic neuropathy (nerve disease), and inhibit protein glycation (a reaction between excess glucose and protein that impairs the protein's function and forms harmful end products in the body). (Diabetic Neuropathy, Alpha-Lipoic Acid)
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A Natural Approach to Diabetes
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Many diabetics have low blood levels of B6. Levels are even lower in diabetics with nerve damage. Supplementation with Vitamins B6 and B12, including a form of B12 called methylcobalamin, play an important role in the prevention and treatment of many forms of diabetic neuropathy. (Diabetes Nutrition, Polyneuropathy, Peripheral Neuropathy, Pyridoxal-5-Phosphate)
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Neuropathy Most Likely To Strike In Type 2 Diabetes Not In Type 1
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Painful neuropathy is more common in patients with type 2 diabetes than in those with type 1, due to metabolic syndrome, researchers suggest, because of a link with the metabolic syndrome. (Diabetic Complications, Polyneuropathy, Metabolic Syndrome)
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Natural Cures for Painful Neuropathy
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Peripheral neuropathy may be one of the most common conditions you’ve never heard of. Estimates are that it affects as many as two-thirds of people with diabetes, 10% to 20% of people with cancer and 8% of all people over age 55. Symptoms include burning and tingling sensations, numbness, and occasional sharp, sudden pains similar to electrical shocks. Intensity of symptoms varies widely, from mild annoyance... to numbness severe enough to impair function... to debilitating pain.
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Antioxidant Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
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A collaborative study between Mayo Clinic and a medical center in Russia found that alpha lipoic acid (ALA) significantly and rapidly reduces the frequency and severity of symptoms of the most common kind of diabetic neuropathy. (Neuropathy and Diabetic Complications)
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Alpha-Lipoic Acid and Peripheral Neuropathy
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There are probably more studies attesting to the benefits of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) for dealing with peripheral neuropathy than studies for any other nutrient. ALA is known as a "universal antioxidant." In addition to its remarkable abilities as a natural antioxidant, it is noted for protecting nerves from oxidative damage and inflammation. (preventing neuropathy, diabetic nutrition)
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Alpha-Lipoic Acid- Nature's Perfect Antioxidant
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Alpha-lipoic acid is an approved drug in Germany for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. Although alpha-lipoic acid's primary effect in improving neuropathy is thought to be the result of its antioxidant effects, it has also been shown to lead to an improvement in blood sugar metabolism, improve blood flow to peripheral nerves, and actually stimulate the regeneration of nerve fibers. (diabetes treatment, diabetic nutrition, preventing neuropathy)
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Peripheral Neuropathy Explained
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Perhaps because it's poorly understood and not commonly discussed, peripheral neuropathy is sometimes called the "silent disease". Yet it affects more people than rheumatoid arthritis-a much better known ailment-with just as severe consequences in its worst form. (Neuropathy and Diabetes Education)
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Benfotiamine
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Benfotiamine is a specialized form of Vitamin B1 and has been recognized for its usefulness for those with neuropathy. There are implications that benfotiamine is more beneficial in dealing with peripheral neuropathy than other forms of B1. A number of studies, in fact, have borne this out. (diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nutrition, neuropathy treatment, benfotamine)
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