Peripheral NEUROPATHY (Causes and Cures) 2024

KenDBerryMD

30 Jun 202016:06

EducationalLearning

32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRDr. Ken Berry, a family physician with 20 years of experience, addresses the common yet debilitating condition of peripheral neuropathy in this informative video. He debunks common misconceptions and ineffective treatments, emphasizing that most cases are linked to hyperglycemia, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune conditions. Berry outlines essential tests for diagnosis and advocates for a low-carb diet, B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D3, omega-3s, and fasting as effective strategies to alleviate symptoms and potentially reverse the condition. He encourages viewers to educate themselves with the provided research links and to consider sharing the video to help others suffering from neuropathy.

Takeaways

📌 Peripheral neuropathy is a widespread, potentially debilitating condition affecting millions worldwide.
👨‍⚕️ Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician with 20 years of experience, presents the video to help viewers understand and manage peripheral neuropathy.
🚫 External creams, lotions, and certain dietary recommendations like reduced salt or saturated fat intake are not effective for treating neuropathy and are a waste of money.
💊 Some prescription medications can alleviate symptoms of neuropathy but do not address the root cause and come with probable side effects.
🔍 The script emphasizes the importance of identifying the root cause of neuropathy, which often lies in high blood sugar levels, inflammation, or autoimmune conditions.
🏥 A comprehensive list of tests is suggested for diagnosing the cause of neuropathy, including hemoglobin A1c, metabolic panel, vitamin B12 level, and thyroid panel.
🍽️ A low-carbohydrate diet, potentially keto or carnivore, is recommended to manage blood sugar levels and reduce neuropathy symptoms.
⏱️ Fasting, extending the daily fasting window, can help improve neuropathy symptoms, especially in those with moderate to severe conditions.
💊 B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for nerve health and should be obtained through diet or supplements.
🌱 Nerve regrowth is a slow process, and improvement from dietary and lifestyle changes may take weeks or months to manifest.
🔗 The video provides research links in the show notes for viewers to verify the information and understand the scientific basis for the recommendations.

Q & A

What is peripheral neuropathy?
-Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that affects the peripheral nerves, often causing pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the affected areas, usually the hands and feet.
Why is it important to watch the entire video according to Dr. Ken Berry?
-Dr. Ken Berry emphasizes the importance of watching the entire video because it contains information on how to potentially slow down, stop, or even reverse the progression of peripheral neuropathy.
What does Dr. Berry suggest is a waste of money for treating peripheral neuropathy?
-Dr. Berry suggests that external creams, salves, lotions, balms, certain dietary recommendations like reducing salt or saturated fat intake, multivitamins, and nerve support formulas in capsules, pills, shakes, or powders are a waste of money as they do not address the root cause of neuropathy.
What are some of the prescription medications mentioned that may help with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy?
-Dr. Berry mentions medications such as Lyrica, Neurontin, Amitriptyline, and Tegretol, which can help with the symptoms of peripheral neuropathy but do not address the root cause.
What are some of the rare causes of peripheral neuropathy listed by Dr. Berry?
-Some rare causes of peripheral neuropathy mentioned include alcoholism, amyloidosis, heavy metal toxicity, porphyria, diabetes insipidus, vitamin B12 deficiency, idiopathic polyneuropathy, paraneoplastic syndromes, Lyme disease, sarcoidosis, and small vessel vasculitis.
According to Dr. Berry, what are the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy?
-The most common causes of peripheral neuropathy, according to Dr. Berry, are diabetes, hyperglycemia, pre-diabetes, chronic hyperinsulinemia, chronic inappropriate inflammation, autoimmune conditions, and conditions that lead to a confused immune system.
What tests does Dr. Berry recommend for diagnosing the cause of peripheral neuropathy?
-Dr. Berry recommends tests such as hemoglobin A1c, AC peptide, complete metabolic panel, lipid profile, CBC with differential, sed rate, CRP, vitamin B12 level, thyroid panel, hepatitis panel, VDRL test, and heavy metal testing.
What dietary changes does Dr. Berry suggest to help with peripheral neuropathy?
-Dr. Berry suggests a very low carbohydrate diet, free from sugar and grains, which can help control blood sugar levels and potentially alleviate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.
How does Dr. Berry recommend using fasting to help with peripheral neuropathy?
-Dr. Berry recommends extending daily fasting from the standard 8 hours during sleep to 14 to 20 hours a day to help improve symptoms of peripheral neuropathy, especially for those with moderate to severe symptoms.
What are some of the supplements and nutrients that Dr. Berry suggests for nerve health?
-Dr. Berry suggests ensuring an adequate intake of B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fatty acids for nerve health and potentially improving peripheral neuropathy.

Outlines

00:00

🚫 Myths and Misunderstandings About Peripheral Neuropathy

Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician with 20 years of clinical experience, starts the video by emphasizing the importance of watching the entire video for those suffering from peripheral neuropathy. He promises insights on how to slow, stop, or even reverse the condition. He encourages sharing the video to help others understand the root causes of neuropathy. Dr. Berry then dispels common myths about peripheral neuropathy treatments, such as the ineffectiveness of external rubs, the misconception about reducing salt and saturated fat intake, and the futility of certain multivitamins and nerve support formulas. He also mentions prescription medications that only address symptoms but not the root cause, and warns of their probable side effects.

05:01

🔍 Identifying the Common Causes of Peripheral Neuropathy

The second paragraph delves into the primary causes of peripheral neuropathy, which Dr. Berry suggests account for approximately 90% of cases. He lists diabetes, hyperglycemia, pre-diabetes, chronic hyperinsulinemia, and metabolic syndrome as significant contributors. Dr. Berry also points out chronic inflammation, whether diet-induced or from other sources, as a major factor. Autoimmune conditions are mentioned as another cause where the immune system mistakenly attacks nerve endings. The paragraph highlights the importance of understanding these common causes to address the root of the problem effectively.

10:03

📝 Necessary Testing for Diagnosing Peripheral Neuropathy

In this paragraph, Dr. Berry outlines the essential tests for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy. He recommends checking hemoglobin A1c and C-peptide levels to understand glycemic status, which is crucial for identifying diabetes or pre-diabetes. Other tests include a complete metabolic panel, urinalysis, a complete blood count (CBC) with differential, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), vitamin B12 level, a thyroid panel, hepatitis panel, and VDRL test for syphilis. Heavy metal testing is also suggested to identify potential toxicities. Dr. Berry advises that most causes of neuropathy will be found through these tests, but if necessary, more specialized tests like electrodiagnostic studies, nerve biopsies, and skin biopsies can be pursued.

15:04

🛑 Effective Treatments for Peripheral Neuropathy

The final paragraph focuses on effective treatments for peripheral neuropathy. Dr. Berry emphasizes the importance of a good diet and supplement intake, including B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fatty acids. He then discusses the significance of a low-carbohydrate diet, which can help manage hyperglycemia and reduce inflammation. Fasting is also recommended for those with moderate to severe symptoms, suggesting that extending the daily fasting period can lead to quicker improvements. Dr. Berry acknowledges the slow regenerative process of nerves and advises patience, noting that while improvements may take weeks or months, they are worth the wait for significant neuropathy pain relief.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is a medical condition characterized by damage to the peripheral nervous system, the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It often results in symptoms such as pain, numbness, and tingling in the extremities. In the video, it is the central theme, affecting millions of people and the focus of the proposed treatments and explanations.

💡Dr. Ken Berry

Dr. Ken Berry is identified as a family physician with 20 years of clinical experience. He is the presenter of the video, offering advice and information about peripheral neuropathy, thus establishing credibility and authority on the subject matter.

💡Neurological Physiology

Neurological physiology refers to the functioning of the nervous system, including the nerves and how they operate within the body. The script mentions this in the context of dispelling myths about salt and fat intake affecting nerves, emphasizing the importance of understanding nerve needs for proper health.

💡Myelin Sheath

The myelin sheath is a protective covering that surrounds nerve fibers, aiding in the speed of electrical signals along the nerves. The video explains how hyperglycemia can damage this sheath, leading to neuropathy, by causing glycation of proteins, which triggers an immune response that destroys nerve endings.

💡Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal, often associated with diabetes. The video highlights it as a significant cause of peripheral neuropathy, as it leads to glycation and subsequent nerve damage.

💡Inflammation

Inflammation is the body's response to harmful stimuli and is part of the immune system's reaction. The script discusses chronic, inappropriate inflammation as a factor contributing to peripheral neuropathy by causing the immune system to attack nerve endings.

💡Autoimmune Conditions

Autoimmune conditions occur when the immune system mistakenly attacks the body's own tissues. The video mentions that such conditions can lead to peripheral neuropathy by causing the immune system to target and damage nerve endings.

💡Phantom Limb Pain

Phantom limb pain is a phenomenon where amputees feel pain in a limb that is no longer present. The video uses this as an example to illustrate how nerve pain can be a result of the absence of a signal, which is relevant to the experience of neuropathy pain.

💡Diet Transformation

The video emphasizes the importance of changing one's diet to a low-carbohydrate diet to manage peripheral neuropathy. It suggests that reducing sugars and grains can help control blood sugar levels, thereby slowing the progression of nerve damage.

💡Fasting

Fasting is presented in the video as a method to improve or reverse peripheral neuropathy, particularly for those with moderate to severe symptoms. It is suggested that extending the daily fasting period can help in managing blood sugar levels and nerve health.

💡Nerve Regrowth

Nerve regrowth refers to the process of nerves healing and growing back after being damaged. The script explains that this process is slow and can take weeks or months, setting realistic expectations for patients with peripheral neuropathy regarding the time frame for potential improvements.

Highlights

Peripheral neuropathy affects millions and can be slowed, stopped, or even reversed.

Dr. Ken Berry, a family physician with 20 years of experience, presents ways to address peripheral neuropathy.

Peripheral neuropathy is widespread, affecting friends and family, and the video encourages sharing for awareness.

External rubs and certain dietary advice are debunked as ineffective for treating neuropathy.

Multivitamins and nerve support formulas are dismissed as ineffective for neuropathy without deficiencies.

Prescription medications only address symptoms, not the root cause, and come with potential side effects.

Rare causes of neuropathy include alcoholism, amyloidosis, heavy metal toxicity, and certain diseases.

Common causes of neuropathy are primarily diabetes, chronic inflammation, and autoimmune conditions.

Hyperglycemia from diabetes leads to glycation, damaging the myelin sheath and causing nerve issues.

Chronic inflammation and a confused immune system contribute to peripheral neuropathy.

Testing for peripheral neuropathy includes hemoglobin A1c, metabolic panels, and vitamin B12 levels.

Less common tests for neuropathy involve heavy metal panels and VDRL tests for syphilis.

Diet transformation to low-carb, keto, or carnivore can help reduce symptoms of peripheral neuropathy.

Fasting, especially extended periods, can improve neuropathy symptoms by addressing hyperglycemia.

Nerve regrowth is a slow process, and improvements from dietary changes may take months.

B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, vitamin D3, and omega-3 fatty acids are essential for nerve health.

The video provides research links for viewers to verify the information presented.

Dr. Berry emphasizes the importance of not relying on supplements alone and the value of a healthy diet.

Transcripts

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