The Nutritional Crisis
The foods you eat may be literally killing your nerves!
As the obesity rate soars in the US, Americans are more malnourished and mineral deficient than ever before. B-vitamin deficiencies and vitamin D deficiency are major contributing factors in peripheral nerve damage . On top of that, the Standard American Diet (SAD) has become laden with an abundance of chemicals and preservatives known to do extensive damage to the nervous system.
Let’s look at a few statistics from over the last 100 years:
- Sugar consumption has increased from 5 pounds to 158 pounds per person – per year.
- Chips, crackers, and other processed grain consumption has increased by 62 pounds per person – per year.
- Soft drink consumption has increased by 53 gallons per person – per year.
- Cheese consumption, including processed cheeses, has increased per person by 28 pounds per year.
- The average American eats out between 4-5 times per week.
- The average American watches 34 hours of live TV per week (5 hours/day) and an additional 3-6 hours of taped programs per week.
With this trend, it’s no wonder diabetes is soaring out of control. Most people don’t even realize that they are being poisoned by toxic preservatives used in commercially prepared foods. The following chemical toxins are linked with causing peripheral neuropathy:
- Aspartame and other artificial sweeteners (Equal, NutraSweet, Splenda, Truvia*)
- MSG (flavor enhancer)
- Artificial flavors
- Trans fats
- Food colorings
- Preservatives and chemicals
(Note: * Truvia is not the same as Stevia)
After performing nutritional testing on more than ten thousand patients and reviewing forty years of major nutritional research, Dr. Mark Hyman, MD, found that Americans are suffering from massive nutritional deficiencies. He reported that more than 30% of American diets were lacking in magnesium, vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin A. He also revealed that more than 80% of Americans are vitamin D deficient. A lack of vitamin D can cause nerves to become irritated and inflamed.
Shockingly, nine out of ten people are deficient in omega-3 fatty acids, or EFAs. These particular EFAs are critical for staving off inflammation, controlling blood sugar levels, and repairing nerves.
For a nerve to remain healthy or for repair to occur over a damaged area of the nerve, it must have an ongoing supply of good quality nutrients. Scientific research has established that many vitamins, minerals, and herbs are strong weapons against nerve damage, and they are irrefutably necessary for nerve repair and healing.
A healthy diet should include the following types of food:
- Whole grains and beans to provide B vitamins in order to promote nerve health. Whole grains promote the production of serotonin in the brain and they will increase your feeling of wellbeing.
- Fish and eggs give you additional vitamins B12 and B1.
- Green, leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, and other greens) for calcium and magnesium. Both of these nutrients are vital for healthy nerve endings and healthy nerve impulse transmission. As an added bonus, they give your immune system a boost.
- Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and brussels sprouts are rich in vitamin E.
- Yellow, red, and orange fruits and vegetables (such as sweet potatoes, squash, carrots, yellow, red and orange bell peppers, apricots, oranges, tomatoes, etc.) are rich in vitamins A and C, helping repair your skin and boost your immune system.
- Raw and unsalted seeds and nuts, such as sunflower seeds, almonds, hazelnuts, pine nuts, pecans, and Brazil nuts.
- Avocados, sweet potatoes, and fish are rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and minerals like calcium and magnesium.