Nerve Pain Supplement: What the Term Covers and What It Cannot Promise

Many different things, which is why guessing with a product is a poor plan.

NINDS describes peripheral neuropathy as many disorders that damage the nerves linking the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body ³. Diabetes is the most common cause overall, but vitamin shortfalls, medicines, toxins, infections and inherited conditions also appear on the list ⁴.

• DiabetesThe leading cause in the U.S. (NINDS). About one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy (NIDDK). ^{3 5}
• Low vitamin B12Numbness and tingling in the hands and feet can occur, even without anemia, and can take years to show. Older adults and people on metformin or acid reducers are at higher risk. ^{6 7}
• Medicines and toxinsMayo and Cleveland Clinic list certain medicines, chemotherapy in particular, and toxin exposure. ^{8 4}
• Injury or repeated motionNerve injuries or repeated motions, and poor blood flow, are named by Mayo and NINDS. ^{8 3}
• Infection and autoimmune diseaseShingles, Lyme disease and autoimmune conditions are listed as causes. ^{8 4}
• Alcohol and other causesAlcohol use disorder, kidney or liver disorders and inherited conditions; sometimes no cause is found. ^{8 3}