It is not uncommon for neurology patients to inquire about vitamins and natural supplements for the treatment of serious neurological conditions. While nutritional factors have not been shown to have a causative relationship to most neurological disorders that are currently considered incurable, such as motor neuron disease and degenerative disease of the nervous system, it turns out that vitamin and nutritional deficiencies, as well as nutritional toxicities, have been detected among some patients who have neuropathy.
The use of supplements to treat neurological illness
Overall, even when some nutritional deficits have been associated with neurological disease, supplements have not been shown to provide the idyllic holistic cure that many patients are searching for. Yet, there are some clinical settings in which nutritional supplementation can play a real and valuable role in the management of neurological disease.
Nutritional deficiencies in neuropathy
The most substantive association between nutritional issues and neurological disease is seen in neuropathy. A study from Weil Cornell Medical Center in New York showed that approximately 1/4 of patients with neuropathy had nutritional abnormalities. The most common abnormalities detected were elevated mercury or pyridoxal phosphate levels. Deficiencies such as vitamins B1, B6, and B12 were also observed among patients who were diagnosed with neuropathy.
The role of the neurologist in communicating the benefits and limitations of nutritional supplements To read complete article, click here
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