Folate, a B-vitamin, is an essential compound to support the proper function of both the central nervous system and the peripheral nervous system. Folate deficiency is linked to a number of diseases and conditions relating to the brain, nerves, and spinal chord. People who are deficient in folate are more likely to suffer from stroke, depression, and dementia, and women with folate deficiencies are at high risk of giving birth to children with neural tube defects like spina bifida.
It should come as no surprise, then, that nutritionists and physicians are now examining the link between folate deficiency and neuropathy. Neuropathy describes a number of conditions of the peripheral nervous system, causing both motor and sensory symptoms. Pain and physical weakness caused by neuropathy can be profoundly disabling. Folate supplementation may help to eliminate a potential underlying cause of the condition.
B Vitamins and Neuropathy
It has been well-documented that many nutritional deficiencies--especially deficiencies in B-vitamins like folate--can cause neuropathy. People suffering from neuropathy are often deficient in thiamine (B1), niacin (B3), pyridoxine (B6), and cyanocobalamin (B12). Because B-vitamins are so critical for the function of the nervous system, it is no surprise that poor nutrition can cause or worsen neuropathy.
Vitamin deficiencies can be caused by many different factors, and people suffering from neuropathy should be tested for potential underlying diseases. While a poor diet is the most common cause of B-vitamin deficiencies, they may also be caused by malabsorption due to alcoholism, inflammatory bowel disease, bariatric surgery, or other conditions.
Addressing Deficiencies
Anyone suffering from nutrition-related neuropathy can benefit from large doses of B-vitamins. These may be administered through injection, since the body often has difficulty absorbing B-vitamins through the digestive system. This is especially true for people suffering from malabsorption-related diseases and conditions.
Symptoms of are nearly identical to symptoms of deficiencies in vitamin B-12, it is best to be given a "cocktail" of the two vitamins to address both potential issues. This will also address the possibility that the neuropathy is caused by comorbid deficiency in both key nutrients, and it will enable better absorption and use of each vitamin.
Other Sources
Folate injections are not the only method for increasing the amount of folate in the bloodstream of patients with neuropathy. If the cause of folate deficiency is dietary, more of this critical vitamin can be obtained through eating large amounts of leafy, green vegetables like spinach, kale, collards, and turnip greens. Though this will not address deficiencies caused by malabsorption, it can combat neuropathy caused by poor diet.
Additionally, over-the-counter nutritional supplements are available containing respectable doses of folic acid. Due to the important role that folate plays in pregnancy, time-release prenatal vitamins contain large doses of folate and other B vitamins Sublingual folate tablets can be better alternatives for people who have trouble swallowing pills, or require the extra absorption offered by this method.
Potential Risks
Fortunately for people who are interested in using folate to treat neuropathy, there are few known side effects to taking very large doses of folate. Because it is a water-soluble vitamin, it can not concentrate in the body in toxic amounts. However, folate has the potential to mask symptoms of cyanocobalamin (B12) deficiency, which is often a comorbid condition, especially in people with neuropathy and malabsorption disorders.
B12 deficiency can cause neuropathy or worsen it, if it is not treated. For this reason, nutrition-based treatment for neuropathy generally involves supplementation with both B12 and folate. This will prevent the masking of either deficiency, and can also ensure that adequate levels of both nutrients are achieved.
Limitations
There is no panacea of neuropathy. While folate treatment shows some promise in safely addressing some cases of neuropathy and other neurological disorders, it is not guaranteed to eliminate or improve symptoms of the disease. Depending on the underlying cause of neuropathy, the patient's individual biology, and the nature of treatment, folate may not be fully effective.
Folate treatment for neuropathy is still relatively rare, and it can not necessarily treat neuropathy caused by anything other than folate deficiency. However, since folate can help to strengthen and support the peripheral nervous system, and since the treatment protocol is associated with very few risks, most patients consider folate treatment to be worthwhile.
Tags: nervous system, folate deficiency, suffering from, cause neuropathy, large doses