Diets are subjective. This is not a food plan/diet I believe in.

Do your own research when it comes to diet and pick one that is right for you. There is no universal "correct" diet that everyone should be on, we are all different.

Also, I do believe diet changes can change your life. Removing sugar/simple carbs is a miracle for me.

Here is a concise discussion on the merits of a plant-based diet. As I said before, if a whole foods plant based diet has all of these other benefits, it just may improve PN symptoms as well, or help prevent a decline, both of which is seems to have done for me. I could do better--snacks like chocolate are a big weakness of mine.

Dr. Michael Greger on plant based diets:
http://nutritionfacts.org/topics/plant-based-diets/

[QUOTE=Electron;1041258]A user asked for more info on the topic of healthy diet I mentioned here, *admin edit*
Since my PN symptoms started, I have read many books on reversing and preventing disease. Several doctors have discovered that patients can reverse disease with a combination of diet, exercise, stress management, & social support. I believe that diet is the most important of these, as it is the one most emphasized by many of the doctors involved. Diseases/conditions reversed and prevented with diet include obesity, heart disease, many cancers, type 2 diabetes, autoimmune diseases, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

My logic is that what prevents and reverses these diseases could quite possibly reverse peripheral neuropathy as well. I don't know this for a fact, but I think it's the best shot those of us with peripheral neuropathy of unknown cause have. I have read of several cases of dramatic improvement using similar lifestyle changes, and have experienced improvement myself. Yes this is only anecdotal evidence and does not prove anything. I have some support for my position from Dr. T. Colin Campbell in The China Study:

"PRINCIPLE #7--Nutrition that is truly beneficial for one chronic disease will support health across the board." p. 237

I believe exercise is also quite important in reversing disease, so don't count it out. It's just that I find diet emphasized more in the literature that I have read. Your best bet is combining diet, exercise, stress management, & social support.

There is a vast amount of evidence showing that unprocessed plant-based diets, and eliminating animal products, reduces disease and increases lifespan in humans. The books I recommend below will point you in the direction of this evidence. Some lifestyle practices cause the expression of genes in a good way that reverse and prevent disease. Other unhealthy choices do the opposite. We are not a slave to our genetics.

According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, and spinach are the most nutrient-dense of all foods, so he recommends eating a large quantity of these foods. This is what I am beginning to do. One of his main points is eating high nutrient-density foods in order to obtain a high nutrient to calorie ratio. This also means avoiding processed sweeteners and concentrated fats such as cooking oil.

From World Health Organization: "Households should select predominantly plant-based diets rich in a variety of vegetables and fruits, pulses or legumes, and minimally processed starchy staple foods." (http://www.fao.org/DoCREP/004/Y2809E/y2809e00.htm, chapter 2)

Assuming that most of us are overweight, he insists that you do not need to go hungry on a plant-based diet in order to lose weight. You can actually eat a larger volume of food than you did before on the standard American diet, it's just that plant foods have much lower calorie density than the oils and fats in an unhealthy diet. He covers this topic in-depth.

You will find objections to the whole foods plant-based diet I propose. Of course those involved in the poultry, beef, pork, and dairy industries will object because this challenges their very way of life. But there are no doubt more objective parties that have come out against this as well. I think that many people don't want to believe vast dietary changes can help them because this requires a great deal of work and committment. And meat tastes good. This is only human nature.

So if you are skeptical, I ask you to check this out yourself. And I invite you to join me and see just how much better we can make our neuropathy.

Here are a few websites for more support. There are many more.

http://www.pmri.org/ -- Preventive Medicine Research Institute
http://fatfreevegan.com/ -- healthy recipes
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Eat-2-Live/ -- good forum for support, recipes, etc.

Recommended reading:
Eat To Live, Joel Fuhrman, M.D.
The China Study, T. Colin Campbell, M.D.
The Spectrum, Dean Ornish, M.D.
The McDougall Program, John A. McDougall, M.D.
Foods That Fight Pain, Neal D. Barnard, M.D.
Forks Over Knives, editor Gene Stone
Healthy Aging, Andrew Weil, M.D. (condones some meat, especially fish)
Anticancer, David Servan-Schreiber, M.D., PhD
Deep Nutrition, Catherine Shanahan, M.D. (condones some meat)

Thank you Ron for all the information and studies you provided. I suffer from Idiopathic small fiber neuropathy. I believe I eat healthy and also keep exercising. I have to push through the pain and burning in my legs and feet.
I want to so bad believe there is a way that we can "reverse" this horrible "disease"! Some say nerves do regenerate , some say they don't. Been doing this for over three years now, tried all the B vitamins and some supplements. Still taking 1000 mcg Meth (B12) for maintenance. Have not seen any improvement. My SFN continues to progress. I get mostly buzzing, painful tingling and burning pain now. My question is. When you talk about a plant based diet, with no meat does that include no chicken and eggs? I am not overweight and I can not afford to lose any weight either. I eat tons of green vegetables but I could never survive with at least some chicken. I also eat brown rice, and beans (mostly lentils). I eat plenty of peanuts with sea salt and walnuts. I have natural peanut butter on my apple every night. I drink water and green tea all day long. It worries me because I know my water (NY) has some fluoride. I can not afford Organic Vegetables every day. I feel like no matter how hard I try to eat right and do the right thing, it's not enough. What am I doing wrong? It scares me to think that I might have to live this way for the rest of my life. After 3 long painful years , I still can not accept that there is no known reason for all this debilitating pain! I am otherwise healthy, sigh! ...Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Keep up the good work. Ty...

Ty,
It sounds like you are eating a good diet. All that you mentioned sounds good. Eat some fruit too. The evidence supports the notion that the healthiest diet includes no animal products. I was just reading about this from Dr. Joel Fuhrman in "Disease-Proof Your Child." Since chicken and eggs are animal products, then you are better off without them. But a very small amount now and then is of little consequence. But sometimes if you keeps these foods in your home, it is difficult to have the self control to only eat them occasionally.

First, know that I am not one to beat around the bush...You said "I can not afford to lose any weight." This is very likely untrue. If you eat a healthy nutrient-rich diet and eat when you are hungry, you will eat exactly the calories you require and will adjust to a weight that is normal for you. You may appear thin, to yourself and others. Part of this is because two thirds of Americans are overweight and that is what we are accustomed to seeing. You may end up thinner than you prefer, but that is a price you pay for being healthy, I suppose.

"I could never survive with at least some chicken." I assume you mean that you could not survive without some chicken. In the south we call this hogwash. On what do you base this?

I'm sorry about your problems. It sucks. Keep asking questions on this forum and keep searching for answers. Nerves can regenerate and heal, just like all living cells in the human body. Even if your PN does not improve while eating a healthy diet and exercising, this does not mean you should revert to unhealthy practices. You need to give your body the best chance to heal, which it will not have eating the standard American diet of high dairy, meat, salt, sugar, white flour, oils, and other processed foods.

You have had your blood sugar and vitamin B-12 levels checked, right? Any emotional trauma recently? Or a high stress level? These can be very toxic to the body. The mind has incredible powers over the rest of the body.

See Dr. Joe Dispenza and Dr. John Bergman on youtube.
Ron

[QUOTE=Marie33;1114404]I am not sure you are doing anything wrong. I am only 119 now and can't afford to lose weight either.
As far as positive thoughts, when I am at my happiest, I seem to have a great deal of burning.

I am thinking of less chicken, since even organic could have the antibiotics.

Happy New Year Marie.

[QUOTE=Electron;1114858]Ty,
It sounds like you are eating a good diet. All that you mentioned sounds good. Eat some fruit too. The evidence supports the notion that the healthiest diet includes no animal products. I was just reading about this from Dr. Joel Fuhrman in "Disease-Proof Your Child." Since chicken and eggs are animal products, then you are better off without them. But a very small amount now and then is of little consequence. But sometimes if you keeps these foods in your home, it is difficult to have the self control to only eat them occasionally.

First, know that I am not one to beat around the bush...You said "I can not afford to lose any weight." This is very likely untrue. If you eat a healthy nutrient-rich diet and eat when you are hungry, you will eat exactly the calories you require and will adjust to a weight that is normal for you. You may appear thin, to yourself and others. Part of this is because two thirds of Americans are overweight and that is what we are accustomed to seeing. You may end up thinner than you prefer, but that is a price you pay for being healthy, I suppose.

"I could never survive with at least some chicken." I assume you mean that you could not survive without some chicken. In the south we call this hogwash. On what do you base this?

I'm sorry about your problems. It sucks. Keep asking questions on this forum and keep searching for answers. Nerves can regenerate and heal, just like all living cells in the human body. Even if your PN does not improve while eating a healthy diet and exercising, this does not mean you should revert to unhealthy practices. You need to give your body the best chance to heal, which it will not have eating the standard American diet of high dairy, meat, salt, sugar, white flour, oils, and other processed foods.

You have had your blood sugar and vitamin B-12 levels checked, right? Any emotional trauma recently? Or a high stress level? These can be very toxic to the body. The mind has incredible powers over the rest of the body.

See Dr. Joe Dispenza and Dr. John Bergman on youtube.
Ron

Hi Ron. Thank you for taking the time to respond. I think I do eat a healthy diet. you said The evidence supports the notion that the healthiest diet includes no animal products. If I have to eliminate eggs, animal products, processed foods (turkey sausage and bacon) and white flour then what is there left for breakfast. I eat oatmeal and omelets with imitation eggs a few times a week. The other couple of days I eat greek yogurt/walnuts or low carb ww bread with peanut butter. So there I'm having "bread" and diary.

When I said I can not afford to lose any weight I meant it. I'm 5'4 and weigh 115. I think I look fine but my doctor thinks Im underweight.. I've always been this weight and never had a weight problem. I do not eat any red meat or processed foods except for the occasional turkey bacon with real eggs for breakfast.

When I said I can not survive without chicken, I meant that is the only protein I am getting. What does one eat in place of "meat"? My plate would only have vegs, and some rice..some how that does not sound like a "healthy" meal if its not balanced with some protein. What is a "nutrient-rich" diet anyway? I try to eat avocado a couple of times a week, I eat plenty of fruit including yellow apples. I eat salmon a couple of times a month. I only use x-virgin olive oil. I feel like I'm doing everything right , but I guess im not. And here I have an Idiopathic SF neuropathy.

My B-12 levels are above normal, 1500. I take 1000 mcg a day. However, three years ago, when the neuropathy started with pins and needles in my calves and burning under my feet , my A1C was 5.7. My Endocrinologists and 4 Neurologist do not believe the "elevated" 5.7 A1C was the cause of my neuropathy. I was told I'm "pre-diabetic". This is partly the reason why my diet is so healthy and why its important for me to have some protein. (white chicken meat). My A1C has since gone down to 5.4. I was praying that the Neuropathy would resolve itself with tight sugar/carb control. But sadly it didn't.

I will always believe my "pre-diabetes" was responsible for this problem. I have read on the Internet, many times that studies are showing people with borderline/early stage diabetes could have some small fiber damage. My Doctors are not convinced. I eat healthy and watch my carbs. My nerves should be showing some improvement by now. ... This is all so frustrating and disappointing as I continue to suffer..

Sorry for the rant. But thank you for letting me vent.
Marie

[QUOTE=baba222;1114867][QUOTE=Marie33;1114404]

I am not sure you are doing anything wrong. I am only 119 now and can't afford to lose weight either.
As far as positive thoughts, when I am at my happiest, I seem to have a great deal of burning.

I am thinking of less chicken, since even organic could have the antibiotics.

Happy New Year Marie.

Ty Baba for your response. I will look at the links to see what I'm doing wrong or right.
The statement "According to Dr. Joel Fuhrman, leafy greens such as romaine lettuce, kale, collard greens, Swiss chard, and spinach are the most nutrient-dense of all foods, so he recommends eating a large quantity of these foods. This is what I am beginning to do. One of his main points is eating high nutrient-density foods in order to obtain a high nutrient to calorie ratio. This also means avoiding processed sweeteners and concentrated fats such as cooking oil".

I eat most of the greens Dr Fuhrman mentions. I will have to slowly eliminate chicken from my diet. This scares me because I cant imagine eating only high-density foods and not lose weight. I only weigh 115.
I use canola oil and coconut oil for cooking, and olive oil with all my cooked vegetables and salad. I don't understand, am I supposed to eliminate these oils, are they considered concentrated fats "cooking oil"?
I have eliminated artificial sweeteners for my green tea. I only use stevia now. My diet is becoming more and more boring. I'm gettn tired of green tea and chamomile. It would be all worth it if I started to have less pain. I will always push myself to exercise..This is all very depressing for me , I do not see any improvement. Happy New Year!

This is not my topic, and I really should mind my own business, but I think a misapprehension is at work here. From what I have read, and it is fairly comprehensive, nerve regeneration is an unusual outcome for most peripheral neuropathies. It seems most likely where the cause is a toxin, like alcohol or certain antibiotics, and the causative agent is removed, or in cases of nerve compression. I do not see any convincing evidence for anything beyond eliminating sugars and alcohol as affecting it.
Please forgive me if I am wrong, but Marie, you seem to be punishing yourself in pursuit of an elusive and perhaps impossible goal. It is highly unlikely that a diet as healthy as yours needs to be "improved". You are already eating healthier than the vast majority of people. I cannot see any justification for restricting yourself to a boring, repetitive diet.
It is very tempting to believe that all health outcomes are in our hands, and that we can always cure ourselves. The sinister side of that belief is the self-blame which accompanies a failure to heal. With this disease that is the most likely outcome, and so guilt which is misplaced and counter productive to enjoying the life we have, with its limitations, results.
I am not advocating giving up, but a realistic acceptance of that which may be beyond our control. Many of us have very limited and painful lives. To unnecessarily eliminate the pleasures of enjoyable, healthful, and varied meals seems cruel.

[QUOTE=Marie33;1115152][QUOTE=baba222;1114867]I don't think you are doing anything wrong Marie. I am sorry for all your pain.
I am not a nutrition expert and I am just learning myself.
I bow to others and their opinions.
It sounds like you are already eating healthier than the majority of the world.
I have been too, but it has not made a difference.

Good luck and take care.

Is your name Marie or Ty, or both? I have more to add but don't think I have the energy to get it all in now. First, as you figured out, some people develop PN from elevated blood sugar, even below what would be considered "diabetes." They used the same standard for everyone, which doesn't make a great deal of sense to me, but that's what we have to work with. Mayo Clinic says regarding A1C, "A result between 5.7 and 6.4 percent is considered prediabetes, which indicates a high risk of developing diabetes." So I think it is possible that your elevated blood sugar caused the PN. Nobody knows if it did, just possible. I don't see 5.4 as a great deal lower, so it's quite possible this is not adequately low for you to heal. Perhaps you need even tighter carb control. You mentioned eating bread and rice. Maybe you need to eliminate processed carbs like bread and eat only brown rice. Generally on a whole foods plant based diet, there is no blood sugar problem.

Pick up a copy of Dr. Dean Ornish's The Spectrum to learn more about carbs, including the glycemic index of foods. He is an advocate for nearly all plant-based and talks specifically about reversing diabetes. Dr. Joel Fuhrman's Eat To Live is another good one.

You can get plenty of protein without animal products. It is a myth that only animal products contain protein. All vegetables contain some protein. Eating a variety of vegetables and grains provides all the protein we need. Where do cows get their protein? From grass or grains. Where do lions get their protein? From eating animals that ate plants? According to Dr. Fuhrman, one 10-ounce box of frozen broccoli contains more than 10 grams of protein. Following is part of a chart from Eat To Live, p. 152. Don't know how to format it, you'll have to expand in notepad or something.

protein(g) / calories / protein per calorie / %protein
One Burger King c'burger 18.0 350 0.05 21
Meat loaf with gravy (Campbell's) 14.0 230 0.06 24
One cup frozen peas 9.0 120 0.08 30
One cup frozen broccoli 5.8 52 0.11 45
One cup cooked spinach 5.4 42 0.13 51

I just happened to see this in Eat To Live: "Diabetes is only one of many diseases linked to excessive omega-6 fats. Source: Simopoulos, A. P. 1999. Essential fatty acids in health and chronic disease. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 70(3): 560-69.

If you decide to accept that there is nothing you an do about your condition, that alone is enough to prevent any other progress. This is the opposite of the placebo affect. Our minds are very powerful. See Dr. Joe Dispenza as I said before. You need to believe that you will heal, even think and behave as if you have already healed.

A plant based diet certainly does not have to be boring and monotonous, it is just a matter of learning how to prepare foods this way. My problem is that I don't want to spend much time with preparation, so this hinders me, but I still find healthy choices. For example breakfast can a smoothie made with 1 frozen banana, 1 cup frozen berries, 1 cup unsweetened almond or soy milk, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Add ice if necessary.

Other suggestions: Think about any toxins you may be exposed to (water, makeup, hair care products, bath products). (Toxins are concentrated in animal products.) Get a water filter. Look into earthing, maybe it would help. Take vitamin D supplements and/or get some sun. Try alpha-lipoic acid or R-lipoic acid. Try biotin (seems to be helping me lately). Search my posts for a link to a scan on nutrients for neuropathy. Listen to podcasts at ExtremeHealthRadio.com and BeatingNeuropathy.com.

Accepting that you will not get better is not a good place. Don't give up. Keep searching and learning.
Ron