title: Peripheral neuropathy: pathogenic mechanisms and alternative therapies.
abstract: Peripheral neuropathy (PN), associated with diabetes, neurotoxic chemotherapy, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/antiretroviral drugs, alcoholism, nutrient deficiencies, heavy metal toxicity, and other etiologies, results in significant morbidity. Conventional pain medications primarily mask symptoms and have significant side effects and addiction profiles. However, a widening body of research indicates alternative medicine may offer significant benefit to this patient population. Alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine, benfotiamine, methylcobalamin, and topical capsaicin are among the most well-researched alternative options for the treatment of PN. Other potential nutrient or botanical therapies include vitamin E, glutathione, folate, pyridoxine, biotin, myo-inositol, omega-3 and -6 fatty acids, L-arginine, L-glutamine, taurine, N-acetylcysteine, zinc, magnesium, chromium, and St. John's wort. In the realm of physical medicine, acupuncture, magnetic therapy, and yoga have been found to provide benefit. New cutting-edge conventional therapies, including dual-action peptides, may also hold promise.
authors.affiliation: Thorne Research, Inc., PO Box 25, Dover, ID 83825, USA. kathih@thorne.com
authors.forename: Kathleen A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Head
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000437:Alcoholism / Q000150:complications; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000379:methods*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*