Nerve Health Enhanced with Vitamins and Minerals

A new clinical trial suggests that a combination of vitamins and minerals can support nerve health in subjects with imbalanced blood sugar metabolism. Over time, nerve health can be affected in these individuals due to imbalanced blood sugar’s effects on the blood vessels that carry blood to the nerves. Imbalanced blood sugar also has a direct effect on nerves.

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, researchers assessed the impact of nutrient supplementation for 4 months in subjects with imbalanced blood sugar metabolism. One group of subjects received a combination of 20 mg of zinc, 250 mg of magnesium, 200 mg of vitamin C and 100 mg of vitamin E. The second group was supplemented with the same vitamins and minerals as group one, plus 10 mg of vitamin B1, 10 mg of vitamin B2, 10 mg of vitamin B6, 10 μg of vitamin B12, 1 mg of folic acid and 200 μg of biotin. The third group received a placebo supplement. Nerve health was assessed using a questionnaire.

The study found that nerve health was significantly enhanced in both supplement groups. The placebo group also saw a modest benefit over the four month period, but not to the same extent as the treatment groups.  There was no significant change in blood sugar control, capillary blood flow or nerve conduction measures in the supplement groups compared to the placebo group.

The researchers stated that this study suggests that micronutrients supplementation might enhance nerve health in individuals with imbalanced blood sugar metabolism.

Reference:

Farvid MS, Homayouni F, Amiri Z, Adelmanesh F. Improving neuropathy scores in type 2 diabetic patients using micronutrients supplementation. Diabetes Res Clin Pract. 2011 Apr 13. Published Online Ahead of Print.