PN and diet
 

Hi all,

I have a peripheral neuropathy diagnosis and I would like to know how others manage their diets. My nerves have become intolerant to so many foods and I am really limited in what I can eat. My diet consists mostly of low carb veggies, lean meat, fish, oats, seeds and nuts and low fat milk. If I consume anything beyond these things I am awoken at night with terrible tinnitus, a racing heart and tingling feet and hands.

I am wondering whether anyone else experiences similar problems?

I love food but I am wary of eating foods that could lead to further nerve damage. Any input would be appreciated!

Well, I took the word love foods out my vocabulary and also deal with Neuropathy for over 10 yrs from hip replacement....sugars/carbs are the worst and if you drink wines, lots of sugars there. You mention tinnitus and I've had a little yrs ago and don't now for years but it's also a well known side effects of the covid vaccines if you took them.

Hey Koala 11,

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear you are so sensitive to foods. But I must ask you the question, how do you know? it must take an extraordinary amount of elimination and symptom gauging to work these things out. How do you know its the food and not something else?

For me I try and follow an anti inflammatory diet. Chronic inflammation plays a role in increasing nerve pain, for many people. I think it helps to focus on foods that provide the body with nutrients that can help ease inflammation. Polyphenols, are powerful antioxidants found in plants and are particularly potent as anti-inflammatories, are a good thing to look for in your diet. Common and useful sources of polyphenols include:

Berries
Seasonal fruits
Darker leafy vegetables
Legumes of all kinds
Oats
Nuts. Walnuts for me, are king of nuts!

Another important general dietary recommendation is an increase in omega-3 fatty acids, especially in comparison to omega-6 fatty acids. An increased ratio of omega-3 fatty acids to omega-6 fatty acids correlates with lower inflammation. Omega-6 fatty acids are pro-inflammatory. Omega-3 is anti inflammatory.

Foods rich in Omega-3

Flax
Chia
Hemp I take a Omega-3 Microalgae supplement instead of fish oil to eliminate the problem of heavy metals found in fish oil. But for those that eat fish

Salmon
Sardines
Mackerel
are great sources of Omega-3.


Foods to Avoid

Certain foods pose a risk of increasing inflammation and triggering nerve pain. Trans fats and sodium nitrates found in processed food. Alcohol, artificial sweeteners, and foods with a high glycemic index (i.e. easily digestible sources of simple and complex sugars, from white carbs to dried fruits).

A few things to keep in mind include:

Limit corn, seed oils and trans fats. These include sunflower seed oil, grapeseed oil, canola oil, margarine. Extra virgin olive oil and extra virgin coconut oil are exceptions. I consider them as neutrals rather than good for you. Cut fried foods in general.

Avoid processed meats. Nitrites are just plain wrong and very pro inflammatory, but even nitrite-free cured meats will have a remarkably high sodium content.
Even “healthier” sweeteners such as agave or honey, or zero calorie sweeteners like aspartame may increase nerve pain. Animal studies have shown that sweeteners may lead to nerve degeneration.

What foods would you recommend to eat and which to avoid?

Best wishes,

Atty

You're right about carbs and sugar being troublesome for PN. Yes, my love of food is really being challenged! I sometimes find eating a bit of a chore! Thanks for your response. Much appreciated.

Hi Atticus,

Thank you for your response! Some very helpful food tips in there. When I was first diagnosed with PN, I started on a strict "PN-friendly" diet. Happily, it kept all the symptoms at bay, but it did involve a careful process of elimination. I continue to follow this diet (with the occasional slip up). I'd love to enjoy a more varied diet, but my nerves simply won't have it!

My diet consists overwhelmingly of vegetables, eggs, lean meats, fish, seeds, nuts, oats and low-fat milk. These foods don't cause me any symptoms, as long as I steer clear of frying.

Thanks again for your response!

Welcome Koala11. :Wave-Hello:

Did you check you gluten sensitivity. Apparently gluten can cause tingling and pins and needles. Going gluten free has helped me with my PN

Gluten Sensitivity and Celiac
 

--can flat out be a cause of neuropathy.

There are a number of links to papers on this in the Useful Websites section--look for names like Russell Chin, Peter Green, or Marios Hadjivassiliou. You can also check out the Gluten section here at Neurotalk:

https://www.neurotalk.org/gluten-sen...eliac-disease/