Neuropathy

Also known as:  Neuritis (imprecise term);  Peripheral Neuropathy;  Polyneuropathy (when Neuropathy affects all of the Peripheral Nerves)

Neuropathy is any ailment of the Peripheral Nervous System, usually causing Numbness.  Neuritis refers specifically to an Inflammation of a Nerve.  In contemporary use, the term Neuropathy refers to ailments of the Cranial Nerves or the Peripheral Nervous System or Autonomic Nervous System.

Alkaloids

 Capsaicin (cream applied topically) may alleviate the Pain associated with Neuropathy (including diabetic Neuropathy).  ^[1]

Amino Acids

 Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) may inhibit the degeneration of Neurons that is implicit in Neuropathy (including diabetic Neuropathy) and may inhibit the ability of various Prescribed Medications to cause Neuropathy).  ^[2]

 N-Acetyl-Cysteine (NAC) may help to prevent (diabetic) Neuropathy.  ^[3]

 Taurine may reduce the severity of (diabetic) Neuropathy.  ^[4]

Carbohydrates

 Dextran Sulfate has been reported to cause regression of Neuropathy in HIV-related Neuropathy (according to physicians’ observations). 

Electromagnetic Radiation

 Anodyne Therapy may be useful for the treatment of (peripheral) Neuropathy (including diabetic Neuropathy).  ^[5]

Growth Factors

 Recombinant, synthetic Nerve Growth Factor (NGF) is presently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of Neuropathy (it is speculated that exogenous NGF may stimulate regeneration of damaged Nerves).

Hormones

 Progesterone may help to prevent and treat (diabetic) Neuropathy.  ^[6]

Lipids

 Bilobalides (Diterpenes that are a constituent of Ginkgo biloba) may alleviate Neuropathy (by accelerating the repair of damaged Motor Nerves).

 Some cases of Neuropathy may be caused by Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) deficiency (and in these cases supplemental DHA may cause regression of Neuropathy).  ^[7]

 Gamma-Linolenic Acid (480 mg per day) may alleviate the symptoms of (diabetic) Neuropathy.  ^[8]

Minerals

 Some cases of Neuropathy may be caused by Copper deficiency.  ^[9]

 Magnesium may alleviate the Pain associated with Neuropathy.  ^[10]

 Silicon may alleviate Neuropathy. 

 Zinc may be useful for the treatment of (diabetic) Neuropathy.  ^[11]

Peptides

 Glutathione may help to prevent (diabetic) Neuropathy (due to the Antioxidant effects of Glutathione).  ^[12]

Prescribed Medications

 Amitryptiline is sometimes prescribed by conventional medical practitioners for the treatment of Neuropathy.

 Gabapentin alleviates the Pain associated with some types of Neuropathy.  ^[13]

 Mixiletine is sometimes prescribed by medical practitioners for the treatment of (HIV-related) Neuropathy.

 Low-dose Naltrexone may be useful for the treatment of (diabetic) Neuropathy.

Spin Traps

 PBN may be useful for the treatment of (peripheral) Neuropathy.  ^[14]

Vitamins

 Biotin may help to reverse Neuropathy and large doses of supplemental Biotin may be very helpful for the treatment of severe (diabetic) Neuropathy.  ^[15]

 Many people afflicted with Neuropathy are found to be deficient in Folic Acid and supplemental Folic Acid (2.5-15 mg per day) may cause significant improvement in Neuropathy patients where Folic Acid deficiency is the underlying cause of Neuropathy.  ^[16]

 Inositol may improve the function of Sensory Nerves in Neuropathy patients:  ^[17]