I'm reading EAT TO LIVE by Joel Fuhrman, M.D. and learned about a study [see details at end of this post] done that was very promising concerning cure or relief of peripheral neuropathy with a very austere vegan diet.

I especially was happy to see that the relief came within a fairly short period of time. But even if my PN doesn't get cured, I hope to stay with this for at least 6 months. Wish me luck!

I have started on the EAT TO LIVE diet because I am 100 lbs overweight. I am 61. I wasn't this overweight when I first got PN about 13 years ago but gradually with very little exercise and a lot of depression (i.e. eating to feel better), I have gotten to a horrible place with my body size. I was not diabetic when I first got PN but now with the weight gain, I am gradually working my way in that direction.

I wouldn't be able to stay on this diet if I wasn't so desperate. You know what they say in A.A., some people have to reach bottom before they can get better. I'm hoping that is me with my food and that I have reached bottom. (I don't think I could feel any worse, mentally or physically.) I AM VERY VERY DETERMINED!

The diet is VERY anti-social. I don't know how I'm every going to socialize again where there is food and when does anyone ever socialize these days without food? I am actually making the diet even more severe than Dr. Fuhrman outlines. But I find that cravings really take over if I eat any kind of starches such as rice or pasta or potatoes. If I can stay clear of these, my appetite isn't out of control, surprisingly.

I was already vegetarian (almost - except fish maybe once a week). And I already was trying to get rid of cheese in my diet. Now I'm giving up Olive Oil (almost entirely except for a tsp per day) I have always used Olive Oil (too) freely.

So bottom line:
.. -no meat,
-no dairy,
-no oil (or almost none)
-no grain
-no sugar (we already knew that)
Good news --
-no calorie counting
-you can eat as much fruit as you like and are required to eat at least 4 servings of fruit per day.
-Tofu and cooked beans are allowed
-also small servings of walnuts and flaxseed.
- hunger is minimal, at least that is my experience so far
(note: he has a non-vegetarian version with chicken, yoghurt, etc. but he obviously favors a vegan lifestyle if you can swing it.)

"The salad is the main dish" is the mantra of this diet. I have lost three pounds in three days. Wish me luck. I'm giving up a way of life here, if I can REALLY stay with it. If I don't stay with it, I don't know where to turn to next.

I found numerous references to this study by Dr. Crane on the web. Here's a cut and paste. Google will bring you numerous hits if you would like to see more:
"A dietary study published in 1994 by Milton Crane, M.D. revealed some very impressive symptomatic and biochemical changes in Type II Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy (nerve pain in the legs). The diet given was strictly vegetarian, high in complex carbohydrate and fiber, low in simple sugars, contained 10-15% fat, and was devoid of cholesterol and refined foods. The results were as follows:

1. Blood glucose normalized;

2. Cholesterol, triglycerides and bodyweight decreased;

3. Within 2-1/2 weeks, 17 of the 21 subjects had resolution of their leg pain.