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At Healthfully, we strive to deliver objective content that is accurate and up-to-date. Our team periodically reviews articles in order to ensure content quality. The sources cited below consist of evidence from peer-reviewed journals, prominent medical organizations, academic associations, and government data.
- National Diabetes Clearinghouse Information: Diabetic Neuropathy; February 2009
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Diabetic Neuropathy; September 2008
- Oregon State University: Folic Acid; May 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Folate
The information contained on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of a professional health care provider. Please check with the appropriate physician regarding health questions and concerns. Although we strive to deliver accurate and up-to-date information, no guarantee to that effect is made.
Does Folic Acid Help Neuropathy in Feet?
Diabetes is a chronic disease caused by your body's inability to use glucose properly. It can affect virtually every organ in your body. Over time, nerves providing sensation to your hands and feet can be affected by a condition called diabetic neuropathy. Currently, there is no cure for diabetes or peripheral neuropathy. Folic acid is the synthetic form of folate, one of the eight B vitamins. Folic acid may alleviate symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in diabetics, although more studies are needed.
Diabetic Neuropathy
Diabetic neuropathy occurs as a result of nerve damage; it can be caused by long-standing diabetes, poor control of blood glucose levels, vascular damage to the nerves because of decreased blood supply, and inflammation of the nerves. Symptoms often worsen at night. Diagnosis is made by your physician via a series of neurological tests. There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, but keeping your blood sugar under control helps.
- Diabetic neuropathy occurs as a result of nerve damage; it can be caused by long-standing diabetes, poor control of blood glucose levels, vascular damage to the nerves because of decreased blood supply, and inflammation of the nerves.
- There is no cure for diabetic neuropathy, but keeping your blood sugar under control helps.
Folic Acid
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Folic acid is the more stable form of folate found in dietary supplements and added to vitamin-fortified foods 2. Folic acid performs a number of functions, including DNA synthesis, red blood cell formation and metabolism of the amino acid methionine from homocysteine. Although rare, a deficiency of folic acid decreases the absorption of nutrients from the digestive tract, and usually results from a disorder, such as alcoholism or malabsorption syndrome. Interestingly, the Office of Dietary Supplements states the diabetic medication metformin can interfere with your body's ability to use folic acid, which may have an impact on diabetic neuropathy 2.
Folic Acid and Homocysteine Levels
Your body requires adequate levels of folic acid to synthesize the amino acid methionine from homocysteine. When folic acid is lacking, methionine is not produced and your levels of homocysteine rise. A 2001 clinical study published in the medical journal "Diabetic Medicine" found a correlation between elevated levels of homocysteine and the development of diabetic neuropathy symptoms in patients with Type 2 diabetes. More studies are needed, but if homocysteine levels are high as a result of folic acid deficiency, folic acid could prove a beneficial treatment for diabetic neuropathy.
- Your body requires adequate levels of folic acid to synthesize the amino acid methionine from homocysteine.
- More studies are needed, but if homocysteine levels are high as a result of folic acid deficiency, folic acid could prove a beneficial treatment for diabetic neuropathy.
Folic Acid For Diabetic Neuropathy
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A deficiency in folic acid may have an impact on developing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. As a diabetic, you should never self-treat peripheral neuropathy. According to Oregon State University, to maintain normal levels, adults require 400 mcg to 600 mcg of folic acid per day 1. Foods that contain folate, the naturally occurring form of folic acid, include:
- orange juice
- spinach
- asparagus
- garbanzo beans
- lima beans
- lentils
Some foods, including breakfast cereals, bread and pasta, are fortified with folic acid. Consult your doctor before taking folic acid supplements for diabetic neuropathy.
- A deficiency in folic acid may have an impact on developing the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy.
- As a diabetic, you should never self-treat peripheral neuropathy.
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References
- Oregon State University: Folic Acid; May 2011
- Office of Dietary Supplements: Folate
- Anne Z. Hoch et al., Folic Acid Supplementation Improves Vascular Function in Professional Dancers with Endothelial Dysfunction, PM R: The Journal of Injury, Function and Rehabilitation, 2011.
- Hoch AZ et al., Folic acid supplementation improves vascular function in amenorrheic runners, Clinical Journal of Sports Medicine, 2010.
- Jorge Molina-López et al., Effect of folic acid supplementation on homocysteine concentration and association with training in handball players, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2013.
- Leyre Gravina et al., Influence of nutrient intake on antioxidant capacity, muscle damage and white blood cell count in female soccer players, Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, 2012.
Writer Bio
Kathryn Meininger began writing and publishing poetry in 1967. She was co-founder and editor of the professional magazine "Footsteps" and began writing articles online in 2010. She earned a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine from Temple University School of Podiatric Medicine and a Bachelor of Arts in biology from William Paterson University.