That Tingling Sensation

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" HSI - Jenny Thompson " <hsiresearch

HSI e-Alert - That Tingling Sensation

Tue, 03 Jan 2006 06:50:00 -0500

 

 

 

 

 

HSI e-Alert - That Tingling Sensation

 

Health Sciences Institute e-Alert

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January 03, 2006

 

Dear Reader,

 

You know that tingling sensation you get when your leg " falls asleep " ?

Imagine if that tingling gradually subsided until your leg became

completely numb. Or imagine the opposite: a simple tingling that

slowly turns into a debilitating pain.

 

Those are just two ways that nerve damage caused by diabetic

neuropathy can be expressed. In the most severe cases, neuropathy

interferes with bowel and bladder function, sexual function, the

cardiovascular system and even vision.

 

What's worse, more than half of all diabetics may have never heard of

diabetic neuropathy. Fewer still know that there's a natural way to

treat it.

 

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Rapid recovery

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This week I came across a news item about research that's now underway

at the University of Michigan. Based on evidence that oxidative stress

is typical in diabetic neuropathy, Eva Feldman, M.D., is leading a

study that will test the use of three antioxidants (alpha lipoic acid

(ALA), nicotinamide (vitamin B-3) and allopurinol) in the treatment of

neuropathy.

 

Dr. Feldman and her team are currently recruiting type 1 diabetics to

participate in the antioxidant study. Type 2 diabetics are also at

risk of developing this condition, but it's more common among type 1

patients.

 

The article states that if the study shows this " antioxidant cocktail "

to be successful, it would be " the first effective treatment for

diabetic neuropathy. " But that's not quite accurate. ALA is already on

the map as a neuropathy treatment.

 

In 2003, Mayo Clinic researchers examined the effects of ALA on 120

subjects (with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes) who also had diabetic

neuropathy. Subjects were divided into two groups; one group received

600 mg of ALA in intravenous daily doses for 14 days, and the other

group received a placebo. Progress was determined by testing nerve

conduction, sensation and nervous system function.

 

As reported in Diabetes Care, the researchers concluded that ALA

" significantly and rapidly " reduced both the severity and frequency of

diabetic neuropathy symptoms. Mayo Clinic neurologist, Peter Dyck,

M.D., added that even at the high dosage level used in the study (not

available intravenously in the U.S.) there were no known complications.

 

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Vitamin recycler

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ALA has been in use since the late 50's (primarily in Germany), and,

like other antioxidant nutrients, it may help reduce the risk of

cardiovascular disease, cancer and other degenerative diseases. ALA

also does something that no other antioxidant is known to do. It has

the unique capacity to actually recycle vitamins C and E from their

molecular building blocks. This is why ALA is sometimes called the

" mother antioxidant. "

 

One of the factors to consider when supplementing with ALA is that it

is quickly metabolized and cleared from the liver. As a result, a

supplement will only cause a relatively brief rise in blood levels of

ALA. Several studies have concluded that significant benefits can

result from an intake of 50 mg per day. But whatever your dosage, it's

best to take lower amounts throughout the day, rather than all at once.

 

Research shows that ALA may lower blood-sugar levels in normal, or

non-diabetic, subjects as well as in those with diabetes, so it should

be used with caution by anyone who tends to have very low blood sugar

levels. In any case, you should discuss ALA use with your doctor

before adding it to your daily regimen.

 

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Early warning

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Earlier this year, a study commissioned by the American Diabetes

Association (ADA) showed that most diabetics are unaware of

neuropathy, and three out of four diabetics may have symptoms that go

undiagnosed by their doctors. The ADA advises all diabetics to

familiarize themselves with the symptoms of neuropathy and talk to

their doctors about the dangers of this condition.

 

Neuropathy symptoms include numbness in the extremities, prickly or

burning pains, tightness of the skin, hypersensitivity to touch,

impaired coordination, balance problems, difficulty climbing stairs or

difficulty getting up from a sitting position, urinary urgency,

erectile dysfunction, acid reflux and lightheadedness.

 

I'll be keeping an eye out for the results of the University of

Michigan antioxidant research. In the meantime, type 1 diabetics from

around the country are invited to participate in the study. The study

coordinator can be reached at (734) 936-8065.

 

 

 

 

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....and another thing

 

Women who increase their intake of vitamin D as they grow older may be

at less risk of hip fractures and other problems associated with

osteoporosis, according to the results of an 18 year study.

 

More than 72,000 women participated in the research conducted by

Harvard Medical School and Brigham and Women's Hospital. As reported

in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, women who consumed 12.5

mcg of vitamin D daily from a combination of food and supplements had

a 37 percent lower risk of hip fracture than women who consumed less

than 4 mcg daily.

 

The researchers recommend that women who have a low intake of vitamin

D should take supplements or increase vitamin D sources (such as cod

liver oil) in their diets. They also concluded that for older women,

vitamin D intake provided better protection for bones than calcium.

 

To Your Good Health,

 

Jenny Thompson

 

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Sources:

 

" Rescuing Damaged Nerves " WOWT News, 11/22/05, wowt.com

" More Diabetics Unaware of Serious Complication " Alison McCook,

Reuters Health, 5/13/05, reutershealth.com

" The Sensory Symptoms of Diabetic Polyneuropathy Are Improved With

A-Lipoic Acid " Diabetes Care 26:770-776, 2003, Care.diabetesjournals.org

" Calcium, Vitamin D, Milk Consumption, and Hip Fractures: A

Prospective Study Among Postmenopausal Women " American Journal of

Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 77, No. 2, February 2003, ajcn.org

 

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