Neuropathy (nerve damage) is a common complication of diabetes. On average up to 60% of people diagnosed with diabetes also have some form of neuropathy. This is especially true in diabetics who have difficulty keeping their blood sugar levels in check.
Like many other health conditions, the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy can be worsened or improved by your diet.
Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that occurs when the nerves located outside of the brain and spinal cord (peripheral nerves) become damaged. This causes weakness, numbness and pain, in both your hands and feet.
Peripheral neuropathy can also affect body functions such as digestion, urination and circulation.
One of the best ways to avoid peripheral neuropathy is to manage your diet and any medical conditions that put you at risk. This may involve removing junk food from your diet as well as quitting alcohol.
Here are the 6 worst trigger foods you’ll want to avoid if you want to improve your neuropathy symptoms.
1. Gluten
Anything containing gluten should be the first food patients with neuropathy should avoid.
Celiac disease affects the small intestine and interfere with your body’s ability to absorb essential nutrients, which in turn can deprive your nerves of crucial things like vitamin b12.
Although only 1% of the population may be diagnosed with celiac disease, many individuals tend to have gluten sensitivity and allergies.
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Gluten can be found in bread, pasta, noodles, cakes, and pastries.
It’s important to check product labels and look for gluten-free products because gluten can also be found in unexpected foods, such as regular soy sauce.
Despite its name, soy sauce is usually made with wheat, soybeans, salt and water, which means most soy sauces contain gluten. The good news is that some soy sauces are truly gluten-free.
2. Trans fats
High-fat diets that are loaded with trans fats, also known as “unhealthy fats,” can cause
inflammation and raise the risk of type 2 diabetes, which can worsen peripheral neuropathy.
Consuming a well-balanced diet that’s low in trans fat can help reduce your risk of triggering nerve pain.
Fried fast foods, such as fried chicken, battered fish, doughnuts, french fries, and mozzarella sticks, can all contain high levels of trans fat.
Instead, focus on eating moderate amounts of monounsaturated fats from food sources like avocados, almonds, and some flax seeds, which have heart-protective omega-3 fatty acids.
3. Alcohol
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