My husband and I don’t travel any more. We actually rarely go farther than our youngest son’s home which is just a few miles away. Recently I’ve had an increase in my pain level so sitting in a car for any length of time is hard. But yesterday we took a little road trip. It was just over an hour drive but it reminded me why I don’t wander far from home. It also reminded me that treating neuropathy with good foods is something I need to think about more.
There are many causes for neuropathic pain. Diabetes, spinal stenosis, and spinal cord or brain injury can all lead to chronic neuropathic pain. Nociceptive pain is the kind of pain you feel when you slam your hand in a drawer. It is short-lived and common pain medications are quite effective. When the nervous system is injured it can lead to chronic pain in the affected region of the body. It doesn’t start suddenly and it doesn’t end quickly. It is persistent pain that can wax and wane.
Doctors usually prescribe various medications for neuropathy and you should never stop medication without talking to your doctor but there is ancillary treatment that those of us with this kind of pain can use ourselves. There are foods that can truly help fight this chronic pain.
Vitamin C is very beneficial in fighting neuropathic pain. Foods that give you a great dose of this vitamin include:
Peppers
- Bell and sweet peppers
- Hot peppers
Tropical fruits
- Guavas
- Papayas
Herbs
- Thyme
- Parsley
Greens
- Mustard greens
- Spinach
Brassica oleracea
- Broccoli
- Brussels sprouts
- Cauliflower
- Kale
Citrus Fruits
- Grapefruit
- Lemons
- Limes
- Oranges
Berries & Melons
- Blackberries
- Black currents
- Blueberries
- Cherries
- Cranberries
- Kiwi
- Melons
- Strawberries
- Tomatoes (Yes, tomatoes are actually a fruit.They began life as a berry in South America)
Vitamin B12
Your central nervous system requires vitamin B12 but be careful! Too much of it can also cause nerve pain. Eat these foods to get the B12 you need:
- Beets
- Dairy foods – eggs, milk, cream, etc.
- Fish and shellfish
- Meat (grass fed)
- Poultry
Omega-3 fatty acids
Studies have shown that Omega-3 fatty acids have the potential to protect nerves from injury and help them to regenerate. Omega-3 fatty acids are vital for the body’s normal growth and development. But the body cannot manufacture omega-3 fatty acids so they have to be consumed in foods such as oily fish. Try eating these foods to get Omega-3:
Fish/Shellfish
- Halibut
- Salmon
- Sardines
- Shrimp
- Tuna
- Fish broth
Herbs
- Basil
Oregano
Nuts
All nuts have Omega-3 fatty acids but walnuts have an inflammatory property so they may not be the best choice.
Oils
Flaxseed oil
Olive oil
Seeds
- Flaxseeds
- Chia seeds
Vegetables & Fruit
- Broccoli
- Brussel sprouts
- Cabbage
- Green beans
- Kale
- Spinach
Strawberries
By eating these foods in healthy amounts you may find you can decrease the pain of neuropathy.
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