Peripheral Neuropathy: Causes, Symptoms, and Natural Support

Peripheral neuropathy affects millions of people worldwide, causing symptoms that range from mild tingling sensations to severe discomfort in the extremities.

If left unaddressed, peripheral neuropathy can progress and significantly interfere with daily life. However, adopting beneficial nutritional strategies can play a crucial role in maintaining healthy nerve function.

Discover the most common causes of peripheral nerve damage and learn how to support normal nerve signaling through nutritious foods and lifestyle changes.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

The nervous system is divided into the central nervous system (CNS) and the peripheral nervous system (PNS). These two major branches work together to keep the body in balance. 

The CNS, which comprises the brain and spinal cord, is the body’s primary control center, processing information and issuing commands to the rest of the body.

From there, numerous smaller nerves, known as peripheral nerves, branch outward from the CNS, connecting the brain and spinal cord to sensory receptors throughout the body, including those within the muscles, skin, and organs. This network makes up the PNS.

Peripheral nerves send sensory signals to the CNS and carry motor commands from the CNS to muscles and organs. This supports both voluntary movement and involuntary functions such as heart rate, digestion, and temperature control.

Peripheral neuropathy refers to damage that changes how these nerves function, disrupting their ability to send signals and carry out commands.

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy typically include numbness, nerve pain, or motor changes, such as tremors or reduced muscle strength. However, nerve stress can also affect digestion, blood flow, heart rate, or other automatic processes as the condition progresses.

Watch the video to explore natural ways to support nerve health and manage neuropathy. 

Symptoms of peripheral neuropathy

Early symptoms of peripheral neuropathy often appear in the feet and hands because these nerves are farthest from the spinal cord and rely on the longest nerve pathways. As a result, they’re more vulnerable to reduced blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient delivery.

This leaves the extremities at increased risk of circulatory problems and metabolic imbalances that can contribute to nerve damage.

Common peripheral neuropathy symptoms include:

• Tingling, numbness, or altered touch perception
• Burning sensations or discomfort
• Itching
• Changes in temperature sensitivity
• Muscle weakness or reduced coordination
• Episodes of severe pain or heightened sensitivity

As the condition progresses, neuropathy can impact the autonomic nervous system, which regulates involuntary bodily functions such as blood pressure regulation, heart rate, digestion, waste elimination, and temperature control. 

When autonomic nerve fibers are affected, symptoms may include excessive sweating, gastrointestinal changes, urinary issues, dizziness when standing, blurred vision, or reduced exercise tolerance–a condition referred to as autonomic neuropathy.

Causes and risk factors

Peripheral neuropathy can be triggered by a variety of factors, including immune system activity, metabolic imbalances, nutrient deficiencies, and toxin exposure. 

In some cases, symptoms may appear suddenly following physical trauma or localized nerve compression.

In addition, autoimmune diseases can disrupt nerve signaling as a result of immune cells mistakenly attacking components of the nervous system. 

This can lead to several types of peripheral neuropathy, including autoimmune peripheral neuropathy, Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and motor or sensory nerve dysfunction.

Research published in Neuroscience Letters suggests that peripheral neurological changes may also be caused by prolonged direct exposure to radiofrequency radiation (RFR) from electronic devices, such as cell phones.

Other potential causes of peripheral neuropathy include:

• Tumors
• Bacterial or viral infections
• Genetic conditions
• Birth control pills
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Alcoholism
• Heavy metal toxicity

Having said this, among all risk factors, poor metabolic health is one of the most significant aspects in the development of peripheral neuropathy. 

Up to 50 percent of individuals with diabetes and prediabetes are estimated to develop neuropathy during their lifetime, according to research published in Diagnosis and Treatment of Painful Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Nerve cells require a steady supply of energy, oxygen, and nutrients. Chronically high blood sugar levels in those with diabetes directly damage the nerve fibers and weaken the walls of the tiny blood vessels that supply nerves with oxygen and nutrients. 

This combination of metabolic and vascular injury impairs the nerves’ ability to send signals, eventually leading to nerve dysfunction and tissue death.

“When you overload your body with too much sugar, it’s like flooding an engine with fuel,” Dr. Berg explains. “It overwhelms your cells’ ability to convert fuel into energy, stresses the system, and eventually causes nerve tissue to break down.”

Natural remedies and lifestyle tips

Supporting nerve health through diet and lifestyle may help maintain circulatory functions, promote balanced energy production, and protect nerve signaling over time.

Here are six natural strategies to help manage and alleviate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

1. Follow a nutritious low-carb diet

Consuming refined carbohydrates, inflammatory seed oils, and processed foods can raise blood sugar levels, deplete nutrients, cause inflammation, and impair circulation, all of which contribute to poor nerve function.

Avoiding these foods while opting for a nutrient-dense, low-carb diet, such as Healthy Keto®, can help support balanced blood sugar levels and ease the stress on peripheral nerves.

In addition, many Healthy Keto staples naturally provide B vitamins, vitamin E, omega-3 fatty acids, acetyl-L-carnitine, magnesium, potassium, and other essential nutrients for nerve health.

Because nerve tissue regenerates slowly, it’s important to maintain consistent, healthy dietary habits. While improvements may not appear right away, over time, a nutrient-rich diet can support metabolic balance, better circulation, steadier energy, and greater overall nerve comfort.

2. Prioritize foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids 

Omega-3 fatty acids help maintain the integrity of cell membranes and support healthy myelin, which is the protective sheath around nerve fibers. 

These essential fatty acids also play a crucial role in regulating inflammation, which is a significant factor in peripheral nerve damage.

While omega-6 fatty acids are necessary for immune signaling and wound healing, most modern diets are centered around excessive omega-6 fat intake, especially from low-quality sources such as processed seed oils.

When omega-6 intake significantly outweighs omega-3 intake, it can interfere with the body’s inflammatory balance and increase stress on nerve tissue.

To support optimal nerve function, prioritize omega-3-rich whole foods, such as wild-caught mackerel, cod liver, sardines, anchovies, and salmon, at least twice a week while minimizing processed foods and seed oils high in omega-6 fats.

3. Practice intermittent fasting  

Intermittent fasting (IF) involves caloric restriction for a set period each day, allowing the body to shift from digestion to cellular repair.

IF windows between 16 and 20 hours are often associated with improved metabolic flexibility, blood sugar balance, mitochondrial activity, cellular renewal, and circulatory efficiency, all of which are essential for maintaining a healthy nervous system.

Additionally, research published in Experimental Cell Research suggests that intermittent fasting may help promote peripheral nerve recovery by positively influencing the gut microbiome.

4. Stay physically active

Regular physical activity promotes circulation, enhances oxygen delivery to sensory nerves, and supports healthy blood sugar regulation, which is crucial for nerve resilience.

Low-impact exercises such as walking, swimming, or gentle stretching can help improve coordination and flexibility, especially in the feet and hands, where neuropathy symptoms often appear first. 

For individuals with limited mobility, physical therapy can help restore muscle tone, encourage safe movement, and boost blood flow to the extremities.

This has been confirmed by research published in Exercise and Sports Sciences Reviews, which found that gentle and low-impact movements greatly improved peripheral neuropathy symptoms while improving balance and overall mobility.  

5. Prioritize stress management and restful sleep

Chronic stress and poor sleep may disrupt blood sugar regulation and place additional strain on the nervous system. 

Prioritizing regular rest, establishing a calming bedtime routine, and incorporating stress-reduction practices, such as deep breathing, nature walks, or gentle exercise, can help regulate nerve signaling and improve overall well-being.

6. Limit toxin exposure

Drinking alcohol, smoking, and exposure to heavy metals or chemicals are associated with increased oxidative stress, inflammation, and diminished nervous system function.

Limiting your exposure to these toxins supports better metabolic balance, improved circulation, and may help protect nerve tissue from ongoing stress.

When to see a doctor

If you’re experiencing persistent tingling, weakness, numbness, or changes in coordination, especially in your hands or feet, it’s crucial to speak with a healthcare provider. 

Identifying the root cause of these symptoms early allows for personalized strategies and helps rule out more serious conditions.

Depending on your symptoms, your medical provider may recommend a range of tests, including a hemoglobin A1C test to assess blood sugar control, vitamin B12 and thyroid panels to evaluate nutrient and hormone levels, as well as check for biomarkers indicative of inflammation. 

Additional laboratory tests may include a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), urinalysis, or nerve conduction studies to evaluate nerve activity and overall function.

FAQ

Sources

1. https://diabetesjournals.org/compendia/article/2022/1/1/147001/
2. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15135881/ 
3. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0014482724003525 
4. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22653276/