People with neuropathy looking for relief may want to try a vegan diet, according to a study completed by doctors with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM).
Vegan diets not only exclude meat, they are also devoid of eggs, cheese, chocolate, and other foods containing animal byproducts such as milk. Unhealthy vegan diets do abound—doughnuts and French fries cooked in vegetable oil technically follow the rules—but eating a balanced vegan diet rich in vegetables and fruits could help reduce pain from neuropathy, the study found.
People with neuropathy benefit from meat-free diet, study says.
Keep in mind that strict vegan diets are separate from vegetarian diets, which typically include eggs, milk, and cheese. However, both vegan and vegetarian diets have been found to be helpful for people with neuropathy.
Neuropathy involves nerve pain that may develop as a consequence of an underlying condition, including diabetes. About 50% of people with diabetes have the condition, and unfortunately effective treatment is extremely limited. Existing treatments only attempt to mitigate pain and aren’t able to offer a cure.
To uncover the benefits of a vegan diet on diabetic neuropathy, PCRM doctors assigned two groups with a total of 15 patients to a meatless diet low in fat and high in fiber. Diets included at least 40 grams of fiber each day and no more than 30 grams of fat, even if the fat came from healthy oils or nuts.
The foods also had to have a low glycemic index, which means they don’t lead to spikes in blood sugar. Examples of low glycemic foods include barley, grapefruit, and chickpeas, according to Harvard Medical School.
One group of study subjects received B12 supplements, and the other did not. In the groups, patients were a mean age of 57, and males and females were equally represented.
Transitioning to a vegan diet often requires support, and so the patients were required to attend weekly classes over the course of 20 weeks where they learned about nutrition and watched cooking demonstrations. They also sampled healthy vegan cuisine and connected with others living on a vegan diet.
Social support and learning new recipes helps people stick to a vegan diet.
The results showed strong support for the vegan diet’s potential for managing neuropathic pain, particularly those patients who took B12 supplements.
Researchers plan to continue studying the patients for one year to examine the long-term health effects of meat-free eating and its impact on neuropathy.
The PRMC research came on the heels of an earlier study conducted by doctors at California’s Weimar Institute. Scientists found that 81% of patients who abstained from meat experienced dramatic pain relief from neuropathy in as little as four days. Patients also lost on average 11 pounds.
Most patients in the study were also able to reduce the amount of medicine for diabetes and blood pressure they were taking. Patients’ cholesterol levels also dropped.
After four years, 71% of 17 patients studied continued to eat a vegan diet, and most experienced lasting relief from neuropathic pain. Researchers attributed the improvement to the meat-free diet, and not the better controlled glucose levels that also occurred.
Following a vegan diet can have wonderful health benefits, but risks include not ingesting the proper amount of required nutrients.
The American Dietetic Association (ADA) says “appropriately planned” vegan or vegetarian diets can provide health benefits or even prevent certain diseases.
Benefits of eating a meat-free diet, according to the ADA, include:
- Lower cholesterol
- Decreased risk of heart disease
- Lower blood pressure
- Lower risk of type 2 diabetes
- Lower risk of cancer
- Healthier weight
The key, according to ADA, is making sure that vegan or vegetarian diets are low in saturated fat and cholesterol while staying high in fiber and vital nutrients such as magnesium and potassium. Risks of eating a meat-free diet include lower levels of vitamins B12 and D, calcium, zinc, and omega 3 fatty acids, found in fish, which help protect the heart in addition to offering benefits for those experiencing neuropathy.
A potential B12 deficiency is especially important for those with neuropathy to stay aware of since deficiencies have been identified as a cause of the condition. The vitamin is integral to basic bodily functions, such as making DNA and red blood cells. Taking supplements or eating fortified foods is the best way for vegans to avoid deficiencies.
Soy or rice milk comes in B12 fortified options, as do some health food formulas developed specifically to meet vegan and vegetarian nutritional needs. Vegetarians can eat eggs, yogurt, or other dairy products to meet intake requirements of B12.
Fortified foods also help vegans take in enough calcium. An Oxford study cited by ADA found vegans were at a 30% greater risk of fracturing a bone, possibly because of lower calcium levels. To ingest enough calcium, some vegans take supplements or eat calcium-fortified foods, such as soy milk. Plants high in calcium include kale, bok choy, broccoli, and collard greens. Dried figs and sunflower seeds are also high in the important mineral.
Eating enough protein is another factor to consider during meal planning for vegans or vegetarians. However, the ADA says plant-based diets can provide enough protein for even athletes.
Protein from soy products, including tofu, is as effective at meeting the body’s requirements as animal products, according to ADA, although people eating protein solely from vegetables and grains may need to increase their daily intake to meet recommended levels.
No. 1 tip for a healthy meat-free diet? Mix it up. Eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and grains.
If you’re looking to try a vegan diet, but are nervous to try, start small. Consider declaring one day each week meat-free. Knowing which foods to eat is also half the battle. Consider investing 30 minutes on a weekend and researching new recipes or buying a vegan cookbook.
Vegan meals can be tasty, healthy, and affordable. By using hearty foods like beans and experimenting with fun, colorful vegetables, your dinner plate will never be the same.
And hopefully, the diet will help you reduce pain from neuropathy.
Have you ever tried a vegan diet?
Image by Sonny Abesamis via Flickr
When I read this story I realized just how similar it was to my condition. One day, while taking a short walk, I suddenly and inexplicably started experiencing intense burning and prickly sensations in the soles of my feet.
These symptoms persisted for many months before I was forced to accept the unavoidable truth that I was a peripheral neuropathy sufferer. I visited a podiatrist who told me there was no effective medical treatment for this condition. All he could do was write me a prescription for something that would help to take the edge off.
His offer was tempting, but deep inside I just knew there had to be a better answer. No way did I want to get hooked on dangerous painkillers for the rest of my life and risk damaging my health even more with the unwanted side effects.
Long story short, I came across some simple natural remedies and stimulating techniques that gently soothed my irritated nerves and woke up my numb, sleepy legs, feet, and hands.
In fact, you might want to check out this article, it really helped me a lot:
http://www.journalofnaturalhealth.com/neuropathy
That’s amazing Carl — thank you for sharing your story and what’s helped you in your journey!
I am a nurse and positive I had peripheral neuropathy. I had been putting off making a doctors appointment but knew I needed to do it soon as it was becoming unbearable and difficult to even walk; especially after a long shift at work. I decided I would call Monday morning since I’m off work that day. A week ago Wednesday I stopped eating meat for various reasons; one week ago today on Friday I stopped dairy. I feel great! What I noticed today though after one 8 and two 16 hour shifts in a row I have no pain whatsoever! I just arrived home and googled how my diet may have affected this and found your article!! I have no doubt in my mind it has helped! Thanks for the article!
We are SO glad to hear that Misty! Different people respond to different treatments, so we’re so happy you found something that is working to decrease your pain! Thanks for your comment.
If this really worked all doctors would be doing this. Any randomized, double blind, placebo controlled studies??
Where can I get more information on the vegan diet you recommend for neuropthy ?
I was just diagnosed with Peripheral Neurapathy. My question is can I have tomatoes. Not sure if that exasperate the problem. I plan to do the vegan diet. Oh, is chicken considerdinner meat?
Hi Ellen — Unfortunately we can’t answer specific medical and diet questions on the blog. We recommend reaching out to a doctor in your area for specific help: https://paindoctor.com/get-relief-now/ or https://paindoctor.com/pain-management-doctors/. Also, yes, chicken is considered meat.
Hi, my name is Jonathan, I am a type 1 diabetic with neuropathy. It is painful, as a Christian God answered my prayer and healed me of pins and needles but I still have numbness pain. I am going to try a vegan diet to see if that helps. I have read that a vegan diet eliminated type 2 diabetes which I used to have.
I sufferer from Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome for over twenty years obtained from long hours of using vibrating tools such as grinders,jackhammers etc. I had to give up working with tools and make a career change but about four years ago I had to give up all work because of my symptoms. My hands were in pain at all times and felt tingling or vibrating and the fingers would get pins and needles at night time waking me three or four times a night. I went on a vegan diet about two months ago and the pain and symptoms have gone!! JUST TWO MONTHS!!! To me it is a miracle and if I had known it was that easy I would have become a vegan twenty years ago. It would have saved a lot of visits to Neuroligists, Reumatologists, Surgeons, General Practicioners Osteopaths and Chiropaths. I hope/pray it would work for you. What is to lose if you try?
Thank you for sharing your story!