A Natural Approach to Diabetes
Author: Dr. Farhang Khosh
Excerpt from: Specific Nutrient Supplementation
Vitamin B6 — As the coenzyme pryidoxal phosphate, B6 plays an important role in the metabolism of carbohydrates, therefore B6 has been associated with impairments in gluconeogenesis and abnormal glucose intolerance.1 B6 prevents diabetic neuropathy and inhibits glycosylation. Many diabetics have low blood levels of B6.2 Levels are even lower in diabetics with nerve damage.3 The clinical response to therapeutic doses of B1 and B6 were determined in diabetic patients with clinical, symptomatic peripheral neuropathy after four weeks of treatment. The results showed that pain reduced in 88.9%, numbness in 82.5%, paresthesia in 89.7% and signs of peripheral neuropathy decreased in 48.9% of patients.4
Vitamin B12 — Prevents and treats diabetic neuropathy.5 In an open, multicentric observational study involving 234 doctors in private practices, the evolution of symptoms and the tolerability of a vitamin B preparation used as treatment in 1,149 patients with polyneuropathy, neuralgia, radiculopathy and neuritis associated with pain and paresthesia, were observed. Under treatment, there was a clear improvement in these symptoms observed in 69% of the cases.6
Inositol — Improves diabetic neuropathy.7 Inositol is needed for normal nerve function. Diabetes can cause nerve damage or diabetic neuropathy, which may be reversed by inositol supplementation.
1. Tamai H. Diabetes and vitamin levels. Nippon Rinsho 1999 0ct;57(10):2362-2365.
2. Sharafetdinov KhKh, Plotnikova OA, Meshcheriakova VA, Kodentsovav M, Vrzhesinskaia OA, Spirichev VB, Shatniuk LN. Vitamin supply in patients with NIDDM. Klin Med (Mosk) 1999:77(4):26-28.
3. McCann VJ, Davis RE. Serum pyridoxal concentration in patients with diabetes neuropathy. Austral NZ Med 1978:8:259-261.
4. Abbas ZG, Swai AB. Evaluation of the efficacy of thiamin and pyridoxin in the treatment of symptomatic diabetic peripheral neuropathy. East Afr Med J 1997 Dec;74(12):803-808.
5. Sancetta SM, Ayres PR. Scott RW. The use of vitamin B12 in the management of neurological manifestations of diabetic mellitis, with notes on the administration of massive doses. Ann. Intern Med 1951:35:1028-1048.
6. Eckert M. Schejbal P. Therapy of neuropathies with a vitamin B combination. Symptomatic treatment of painful diseases of peripheral nervous system with a combination preparation of thiamin, pyridoxine and cyanocobalamin. Fortshr Med 1992 Oct 20:110(29):544-548.
7. Salway JG, Whitehead L, Finnegan. JA, et al. Effect of myo-inositol on peripheral-nerve function in diabetes. The Lancet 1978 II:1282-1284.