Turmeric is a flowering plant in the ginger family. The main portion of the plant that is used is the turmeric rhizome (underground stem) which is first dried and then crushed into a fine powder.

Turmeric’s active compound (curcumin) possesses numerous anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties that make it useful for helping with pain, including peripheral neuropathy. (1)

Curcumin upregulates certain metabolic pathways and suppresses others in order to reduce the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines and pain-inducing substances. (2)

For more detail about turmeric’s effects on peripheral neuropathy, please read our article on 5 Ways Turmeric Helps Treat Neuropathy (Evidence-based).

Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant that lowers blood sugar levels, optimizes nerve function, and relieves pain, tingling, itching, numbness, and burning in the legs and arms. (3)

Research suggests that it may be useful in the treatment of peripheral neuropathy induced by catalysts such as diabetes, cancer, or chemotherapy.

The most commonly cited foods that contain considerable amounts of alpha-lipoic acid include red meat, liver, spinach, broccoli, and brussels sprouts.

In a 2017 study, researchers found that alpha-lipoic acid could potentially relieve neuropathic pain by preventing the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in patients with diabetic neuropathy. (5)

Acetyl-L-carnitine is a commonly used amino acid that aids in numerous metabolic processes, including the optimization of energy production, the neutralization of reactive oxygen species) and the promotion of nerve signaling. (6)

Foods that contain acetyl-L-carnitine include meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products.

In one study, researchers divided participants who suffer from chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy and other conditions that involve nerve cells into two groups. The first group received 3 grams of acetyl-L-carnitine per day for 8 weeks, while the second group took a placebo. (7)

During the 12^th week follow-up, participants who received the supplementation had significantly improved symptoms relative to the control group.

Boswellia is a herbal extract obtained from the Boswellia serrata tree and has been used for centuries to treat inflammatory diseases and chronic pain.

Over the course of decades, researchers have discovered positive effects of this substance on an array of medical conditions, including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, irritable bowel disease, and asthma. (8)

All of these ailments share common features with peripheral neuropathy, including active inflammation, oxidative stress, and chronic pain.

The primary mechanism that mediates Boswellia’s anti-inflammatory properties is the inhibition of the lipoxygenase metabolic pathway, which is responsible for the production of proinflammatory compounds known as leukotrienes. (9)

In one study (10), researchers identified the possible mechanisms of action that explain this extract’s analgesic properties and found that Boswellia helps patients with peripheral neuropathy by:

• Inhibiting the metabolic pathways that produce pain-inducing substances (e.g., lipoxygenase)
• Reducing mechanical hyperalgesia (oversensitivity to non-painful stimuli)
• Minimizing the painful sensations stimulated by prostaglandin E2 (a substance that’s responsible for causing pain)

B vitamins are integral for the composition and function of the central and peripheral nervous systems. In fact, a deficiency in one of the B vitamins could precipitate peripheral neuropathy.

For this reason, supplementation is thought to aid patients with neuropathic pain, even in the absence of nutritional deficiencies.

The most important B vitamins to take when considering supplements are B1 (i.e., thiamine), B6 (i.e., pyridoxine), and B12 (i.e., cobalamin). (11)

Note that you can take these supplements separately or in one B-vitamin complex product.

Here’s how each vitamin helps:

• Vitamin B1 helps with neuropathic pain by reducing the level of inflammation at the site of injury and preventing ROS-induced cellular damage.
• Vitamin B12 shields nerve endings from harmful chemicals that irritate and disintegrate cellular membranes.
• Vitamin B6 maintains the protective layer of nerve endings (i.e., myelin sheaths), which is vital for the survival of neurons (nerve cells).

Additionally, scientists found that taking B vitamin supplements can promote nerve repair and accelerate tissue regeneration after inflicting damage (e.g., diabetes or chemotherapy). Additionally, the supplements relieve pain by controlling the levels of proinflammatory cytokines and reactive oxygen species (ROS) at the site of the injury. (12)

Important note:

Although B vitamins can help with neuropathy, current guidelines from the National Institutes of Health advise against exceeding 200 mg of vitamin B6 per day since taking too much can lead to severe nerve damage.

N-Acetyl cysteine is a unique form of cysteine, which an amino acid that’s known for neutralizing oxidative stress.

In one animal study, scientists concluded that N-Acetyl cysteine reduces pain and improves motor coordination in animals with neuropathic pain, which could warrant its use in patients with diabetic neuropathy. (13)

The study also found that N-Acetyl cysteine lowers the rate of programmed cellular death (i.e., apoptosis) –a common cause of irreversible neuropathic pain.

Fish oil is rich in compounds that temper down inflammation and oxidative stress, including omega-3 fatty acids. These molecules can also repair nerve damage and relieve muscle pain.

In a large review study, researchers inspected the potential use of fish oil in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The results of this review indicate fish oil’s abilities to slow down the progression of peripheral neuropathy, and in some cases, reverse it. (14)

Researchers attributed these characteristics to the anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties of fish oil.

Choosing the right dietary supplements to take can have a substantial effect on the severity of your neuropathic pain, which is why we opted for the ones that were proven by reputable scientific sources.

If you still have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to share your thoughts and experiences in the comment section below.