Eight Tips For Healing Damaged Nerves
Nerve damage and nerve pain (neuropathy) are common side effects of chemotherapy cancer treatment.
Neuropathy is caused when chemotherapy drugs damage healthy nerves causing symptoms such as nerve pain, tingling, burning and numbness.
Peripheral neuropathy, nerve pain in the fingers, hands, toes and feet, is the one of the most common long term side effects of chemotherapy treatment.
While in some patients, neuropathy will resolve over time, in other patients, nerve pain can persist for years and lead to poor quality of life due to chronic pain and the need to limit many activities.
Most oncologists do not have solutions for their patients when it comes to nerve repair.
However, nature has provided us with a perfect tool box of solutions including nutrients and herbs to support the healing and repair of nerves for long term relief.
Chemotherapy drugs produce an enormous amount of oxidative stress. This means that tissues are damaged by oxidation in the same way that rust damages metal.
Nerves are particularly vulnerable to oxidative stress and therefore are commonly damaged by chemotherapy drugs. In some patients, the body can “quench” the fire of oxidation. But due to individual genetics, some patients are unable to do so and the fire just keeps kindling itself and never dies down. These are the patients who suffer the most with long-term nerve pain after chemotherapy.
We have our own super antioxidants inside our cells. The most important natural antioxidant is glutathione.
Increasing glutathione in the cells will not only protect nerves from damage, but can also stop the ongoing cycle of oxidative stress. Once the oxidation is quenched, the nerves have the opportunity to repair.
Overall, we need to use properly selected antioxidants and supply the building blocks of healthy nerve tissue to promote normal and healthy nerve function and repair the damage.
8 Tips to Heal and Repair Nerves Damaged by Chemotherapy
1. Get Adequate Whey Protein
Whey protein is isolated from cow’s milk. It is one of the best concentrated sources of easy to digest protein.
I recommend a whey protein shake at least once or twice daily during cancer treatment and at least once daily after treatment is completed (If you are sensitive to or allergic to cow’s milk, whey may not be a good choice for you).
Not only does Whey Protein increase glutathioine, it protects cells from ongoing and further damage. Patients who have higher levels of cellular glutathione have lower risk of diseases related to oxidative stress, including many cancers.
I recommend high quality (undenatured, low heat processed) Whey Protein to cancer patients and those recovering from chemotherapy, surgery and radiation as a source of high quality protein on a daily basis.
2. Supplement N-Acetylcysteine
N-Acetylcysteine is one of the building blocks of glutathione. Giving the body a steady source of N-Acetylcysteine allows for greater production of this cell protecting antioxidant.
3. Supplement R-Lipoic Acid
Research shows that the biologically active form of Lipoic Acid (the “R” form) can act both in the cell membrane, which is made of fat, and inside the watery portion of the cell.
As nerve cells are protected by myelin, a substance made mostly of fat, R Lipoic acid is particularly protective to nerve cells. R-Lipoic Acid can support repair of nerve cells in the body and nerve cells in the brain.
When you buy “Alpha” Lipoic Acid only half of that substance is “R” Lipoic acid, so whenever possible use the active “R” form.
4. Increase or Supplement L-Carnitine
Nerves that have been damaged by chemotherapy drugs have been poisoned by toxic exposure. This damages the mitochondria, the engine of energy production inside the cell. When this happens, the cell is unable to produce sufficient energy for repair and normal function.
All cells that require high amounts of energy will suffer from the toxic chemotherapy side effects. Nerve cells in the body and the brain as well as heart muscle are the most energy demanding cells and thus will suffer chemotherapy toxic side effects.
Carnitine, an amino acid, is primarily found in red meat. I generally recommend limiting red meat in the diet for cancer patients and cardiovascular patients. When eating red meat, always choose organic grass-fed whenever possible. If you eat grass-fed beef or lamb, you can include red meat twice per week.
It is easy to take L Carnitine in capsule, powder or liquid form. It can be added to your Whey Protein shake!
L-Carnitine is also very useful after surgery to promote normal healing of incisions, especially where support of muscle repair is needed.
5. Supplement Tocotrienols
Tocotrienols are in the Vitamin E family. Tocotrienols are especially valuable in supporting nerve repair. I recommend 100mg three times daily. The most active form is “Delta” tocotrienols.
6. Increase or Supplement Omega 3 Oils (EPA-DHA)
These “healthy fats” are the building blocks of every cell wall in the body, including the brain and of the fatty protective myelin covering of nerves. These oils have been shown to have some anti-cancer properties and to support normal inflammation function in the body.
For all of these reasons, these oils are a crucial part of the daily diet. The modern diet is typically very low in these oils. Omega 3 oils can be found in cold water fish such as salmon, cod, mackerel and sardines and in walnuts and almonds in small amounts.
It is hard to ingest a dose that will restore nerve repair from food alone. Therefore I recommend a high quality Omega 3 supplement 500-1000mg 2-3 times daily.
Note: Cheap brands of Omega 3 oils often contain contaminants and therefore should be avoided.
7. Eat Deeply Pigmented Fruits and Vegetables Rich in Anti-Oxidants
The deep colors present in plant foods signal the presence of anti-oxidants. Some examples of antioxidant rich foods include blueberries, raspberries, kale, broccoli, spinach, carrots, yams, pomegranates, tomatoes, and tumeric, to name a few.
By including 8-12 servings of a rainbow of richly colored fruits and vegetables in your diet daily you will be increasing antioxidant protection for your cells.
Note: Diabetic patients should limit fruits and focus on vegetables. All cancer patients should limit concentrated sweets and sugars in the diet as cancer cells preferentially use sugars for growth.
8. Try Acupuncture
During chemotherapy treatment it is important to use therapies that do not interfere with the chemotherapy drugs. Acupuncture can be used both during and after treatment to manage chemotherapy side effects. Acupuncture not only blocks pain, but also promotes healing and repair.
As with all changes in diet and lifestyle and the use of nutritional and botanical supplements, always consult your health care provider.
Bonus Recipe: High Protein/High Antioxidant/Low Glycemic Heath Shake
1 Heaping Tablespoon High quality Whey Protein Powder
1 Heaping Tablespoon fiber powder
Organic berries (blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, strawberries)
Liquid of your choice: coconut water, coconut milk, almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, kefir, organic cow or goat milk, water
Optional:
- Organic greens or reds powder…concentrated from fruits and vegetables
- Carnitine Powder or Liquid
- Omega 3 Oils
- Ginger powder, cinnamon powder, fresh mint
- Raw organic high omega 3 egg
- Coconut powder
- Almond Butter
