Vitamin E Deficiency and PN
 

I have had PN for over 15 years. Cause is unknown, but other family members have had it. I have been able to keep mine limited to my feet and toes through healthy eating, supplements (R-Lipoic, ALC etc.) and exercise. Over the years have been checked for various deficiencies such as Vitamin B, but my levels were always good.

Last year I had an extensive test done to check for other Vitamin deficiencies because I was having some other health problems. One deficiency found was Vitamin E. A month ago I started taking Now Foods, Advanced Gamma E Complex (tried other Vitamin E types previously, but they didn't show results) and my PN has significantly improved over the past month. It is the only real change that I have made in my healthy habits.

We will see if improvements continue, but I am encouraged. My feet feel better than they have in 15 years.

I have read up and Vitamin E deficiency can be one cause of idiopathic neuropathy.

That is really interesting. I have heard that low E can affect the nervous system. Dr. Latov does test for this.

Here is an article with some food sources:

http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?t...rient&dbid=111

I wonder how many here have this problem?

I have toyed with the idea of trying vitamin E, as I strongly believe it helped me with the "standard male use" for it, after a lengthy illness, way back in my early 30's . As my Dr said, "it won't hurt you. keep taking it".

I see Puritans Pride carries an E, which has the "mix" you describe. Were the other E's that you tried made of this mix, or were they a plain vitamin E? I plan to order the mix before the day is out & if it helps me, I will add it to your post, ASAP. I assume you are taking one 400iu capsule daily?

I've tried various B's and other vitamins,with no avail, but I haven't given up yet.

You will want to get the "natural" forms of E, not the synthetic.

Synthetic ends in --yl tocopheryl...

The naturals end in --ol. Gamma is now available singly as well.

The others I tried were just plain Vitamin E - the synthetic ones. I then learned about Now-Foods-Gamma-E-Complex-Advanced that I buy from iherb. I have been taking this one for a month and have noticed a big improvement - .

As Mrs D said, I did take notice that the PP brand (which may be the maker of the brand you are taking) is of the natural E variety. I really don't remember if I took the "real stuff" 30+ years ago, but if I'm going to do it, no point in cheaping out. The PP brand is considerably cheaper than the brand you are taking, though, and right now is a buy one, get 2 free sale.

Are you taking just one 400iu capsule daily, or are you taking more? I'll add to your post after I've given them 3-4 weeks, and let you know of any improvement. I got to say, though, I really just eat what I like & it's not healthy, but a year of so ago, I added a multivitamin. I have a great dislike for most veggies and seafoods. I know what you're thinking, but if I can't enjoy what I eat, you might as well put me in a box right now. Hey, I did quit smoking 6 years ago, after 40 years of the habit. LOL

I take 400 iu daily :)

Yes, vit. E is so good. I take a good one daily.:)

Cody,

What vitamins have you been tested on?

I would assume that long years of vitamin E deficient or any vitamin for that matter will affect your nerves.

Thanks.

Vitamin E
 

When I told my GP that I was on vitamin E (most likely taking the synthetic one) unknowingly, she told me to throw them away because they have been killing people??? That scared me and I did as my GP told me to do.

Why would she say that??

There was a controversial "meta analysis" done by someone (perhaps Big Pharma)... on many previously done Vit E and mortality issues about 3 yrs ago.

It made all the major news outlets. It has been debunked since then.

Here is one article to explain:
http://lpi.oregonstate.edu/ss08/vitamine.html

But if you search Google you'll find the whole controversy pro and con. Unfortunately the "con" got most of the media coverage.

codyc, I promised I'd get back to you on the Vitamin E. I bought 400iu capsules of mixed Tocopherols natural Vitamin E from Puritans Pride. I had looked up the Now Foods brand that you take, and found that they were of the mixed Tocopherols, also. They also have a PLAIN natural vitamin E, but I also read elsewere that the mixed were the best to take.

Anyway, this is what I'd like to pass on to anyone interested, so far. Last June when I first started seeing my Neuro, my PC Dr asked me if I had cold feet. I told him I didn't know, and would take notice next (this past) winter. My feet didn't seem any colder than normal last winter, so I didn't give it any more thought, as I was mainly dealing with the new drugs & their side effects. My feet have felt considerably better, from Nortrptyline, but I did finally notice that at any time of the day, my feet felt very cold to the touch. The cold was in my toes and soles of the feet, and I didn't notice the cold until I actually touched them to my shin or with my hand. My soles used to burn (without drugs) and my toes are mildly numb, but not all over my feet.

I decided the cold feet, and poor circulation would give me something new to worry about, or perhaps was the cause of my PN.

Since starting the Vitamin E, 2 weeks ago, my feet are no longer cold to the touch, which was something I didn't expect. I was kind of expecting some sort of additional pain relief, but I'd say that this would indicate improved circulation & I hope the benefits continue. I've got 10 months worth of Vitamin E and plan to continue.

groucho I am glad that it is working for you. I continue to see improvement in my feet and am encouraged. I never had the cold feet issue that you have experienced, but glad that it has helped you.

I was tested for B1,B2,B3,B6,B12,D3,K2,A,C,E. They also tested Folate, Pantothenate, Biotin, Serine, Gluitamine, Aspargine, Choline, Inositol, Carnitine, Oleic Acid, Calcium, Zinc, Copper, Magnesium, Glucose, Fructose Sensitivity, Chromium, Glutathione, Cysteine, coQ10, selenium, Alpha Lipoic Acid.

The only vitamin I was deficient in was E. Had to make some minor adjustments with my Zinc, Chromium, Glutathione. Adding Vitamin E has had the most positive effect on my PN.

codyc I appreciate that you (& others) share what is working for you. Trying out different vitamins with no apparent benefit has proved frustrating for me, at times. But you gave me the kick start I needed for trying the E. I'd guess if it has improved my circulation, there is a chance for other improvements. At least it has taken a worry from me. If I notice any more benefit down the road, I'll let you all know.

Additional FYI regarding Nortrityline: More is not necessarily better. My Neuro originally prescribed me 1 or 2 - 25mg capsules daily. The 25mg seemed to wear off before it was time for my once daily dose. The worst side effects for me were anxiety and tremors, but I moved up to 50mg daily, hoping the side effects would lessen in time. Well, it seemed to work pretty good, but after more than a month I got tired of high anxiety and tremors like I had over dosed on caffeine. These tremors were much worse than the ones I had 6 years ago from 40 years of smoking. I let my Neuro know & we reduced my daily dose to 40mg (4 - 10mg capsules), and my anxiety levels are now just about pre-Nortriptyline levels. In just 2 weeks my tremors are only a little worse than when I smoked (most noticeable in my non-dominant left hand). I only feel a slight, if any, loss in the benefits of the Nortriptyline, for my burning tinging, stabbings, etc. At 50mg I also felt like dead meat in the AM, even thought I slept all night. I feel pretty good in the AM now, at the 40mg.

My bloodwork shows that I am slightly deficient in Vitamin E. This might be a dumb question, but what is the advantage of taking supplements over getting vitamin E straight from my food? I love snacking on almonds and spinach, I could do it all day. I've read here and there that supplementing with Vitamin E can be potentially dangerous. Thanks!

Using natural tocopherols in mixture is a better way to use supplements. It is only the alpha that appeared in the studies in the past, giving the worrisome results.

The problem with food sources is that Vit E is typically very small in them.

Vit E typically in nature comes in alpha, d-delta, d-gamma, d-beta and tocotrienols. I use the high gamma complex from Puritan's pride...therefore. I don't use it every day, but perhaps about 4 times a week.

In my efforts to correct my deficiency, should I be aiming to get substantially more than 100% of the daily Vitamin E values typically needed? Thanks!

Since you eat more than average Vit E containing foods, maybe not. You may not need higher doses.

However, being an antioxidant, Vit E may not be really useful in some foods if they are stale or old on the shelf. It may have already been oxidized.

I found Vit E very useful with magnesium to help with leg cramps back when I was working long hours on my feet. So I have always used it in moderation, and always the natural mixed tocopherol types. It can really help with circulation for some people.

If you decide on a supplement you don't need massive doses. Just some.

This link is really handy to show nutrients in foods:
http://nutritiondata.self.com/

Groucho i see you still post here. Any updates on how your Vit E supplementation went or is going?