Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies

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Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.

_http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17176168?dopt=AbstractPlus_

(http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17176168?dopt=AbstractPlus)

 

Thorne Research, Inc., PO Box 25, Dover, ID 83825, USA. _kathih_

(kathih)

 

 

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic

chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral drugs,

alcoholism,

nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and other etiologies, results

in significant morbidity. Conventional pain medications primarily mask

symptoms and have significant side effects and addiction profiles. However, a

widening body of research indicates alternative medicine may offer

significant benefit to this patient population. Alpha-lipoic acid,

acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine, methylcobalamin, and topical capsaicin are

among the most

well-researched alternative options for the treatment of PN. Other potential

nutrient or botanical therapies include vitamin E, glutathione, folate,

pyridoxine, biotin, myo-inositol, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, L-arginine,

L-glutamine, taurine, N-acetylcysteine, zinc, magnesium, chromium, and St.

John's wort. In the realm of physical medicine, acupuncture, magnetic therapy,

and yoga have been found to provide benefit. New cutting-edge conventional

therapies, including dual-action peptides, may also hold promise.

 

PMID: 17176168 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]