Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies

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Altern Med Rev. 2006 Dec;11(4):294-9.

Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative

therapies.

Head KA.

Technical Advisor, Thorne Research, Inc.; Editor-In-Chief,

Alternative Medicine Review. Correspondence address: Thorne

Research, PO Box 25, Dover, ID 83825.

Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic

chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral

drugs, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and

other etiologies, results in significant morbidity. Conventional

pain medications primarily mask symptoms and have significant side

effects and addiction profiles. However, a widening body of research

indicates alternative medicine may offer significant benefit to this

patient population.

Alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine,

methylcobalamin, and topical capsaicin are among the most well-

researched alternative options for the treatment of PN.

Other potential nutrient or botanical therapies include vitamin E,

glutathione, folate, pyridoxine, biotin, myo-inositol, omega-3 and -

6 fatty acids, L-arginine, L-glutamine, taurine, N-acetylcysteine,

zinc, magnesium, chromium, and St. 's wort.

In the realm of physical medicine, acupuncture, magnetic therapy,

and yoga have been found to provide benefit. New cutting-edge

conventional therapies, including dual-action peptides, may also

hold promise.