Neuropathy and Blood Sugars and Repairing Dammage

[Guest guest]

GREETINGS --

The nerve damage (neuropathy) due to poorly controlled blood sugars

in diabetics involves the loss of oxygen (RESULTING IN NERVE DIE-

OFF). Blood corpuscles in a person with normal BS levels carry oxygen

to the nerve-endings and they need to deform to " squeeze into " the

capillaries to " deliver " the oxygen to its destination. When the

blood sugars get too high the blood corposcules lose their ability to

deform; leading to the die-off of the nerves. In my case neuropathy

had progressed from my toes on up to just below my knees before I got

my act together.

I normalized my blood sugars about one year ago and started a regimen

of supplements with a goal to try to restore these nerves as much as

possible. I have been using the supplement Gamma Linolenic Acid (GLA)

for 8+ months to help recover from the neuropathy in my feet and

legs. GLA makes the blood corpuscles more deformable, helps

regenerate veins/capillaries and in the long run encourage nerve

growth. GLA is present in both Borage Oil and Evening Primrose both

of which are available in capsules. Borage-derived GLA extract (which

is what I had been using until recently because of the lower unit

cost) is also available in capsules.

After a heads-up from a friend and a Google search I found out that

the GLA in Borage Oil has somewhat different properties from that in

Evening Primrose Oil. The GLA in Evening Primrose Oil does have the

beneficial properties mentioned above, but there are additional

properties in the Borage Oil that negate those same beneficial

properties. I have now switched to Evening Primrose Oil (EPO) and

would urge anyone using Borage Oil or Borage-derived GLA for the same

reason I am to do the same. I take a 1300 mg capsule of EPO with

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

I had also been using Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA) for several years as

one of several supplements I took due to my Diabetes. About six

months ago I increased my dosage in an effort to help recover from my

neuropathy. I recently found out that ALA can reduce the body stores

of Biotin (a form of Vitamin B that aids in the body's utilization of

protein and a variety of other nutrients). In order to prevent this

potential problem when taking ALA you should supplement your ALA with

Biotin equal to 1% of your ALA intake (e.g., take 6 mg of Biotin per

600 mg of ALA). I use multiple 1 mg capsules of Biotin for this

purpose. I now take a 300 mg tablet of sustained release ALA with

breakfast, lunch, and dinner along with 3 mg of Biotin with each

meal.

According to the most newly released edition of Dr. Bernstein's book

in combination with a Google search there is evidence of the

potential reduction of biotin's action from consumption of large

doses of Alpha Lipoic Acid. There are structural similarities between

the two and they both use the same transport mechanism. Basically,

they compete for absorption. Regular and continual use of ALA and

insufficient intake of biotin may explain certain situations of

Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) and frequent levels of fatigue.

It is generally recommended to take extra biotin once doses of ALA

exceed 100mg. Since the standard intake of ALA is about 300mg over

several meals, biotin supplementation is strongly recommended unless

the person is receiving sufficient biotin from food sources (very

unlikely). There is also evidence to suggest that it shares the same

transport mechanism as pantothenic acid, another B vitamin,

suggesting that any biotin supplementation should be taken in

isolation of any multivitamins or vitamin B complex tablets.

wambo