Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Neuropathy in Feet: A Natural Remedy?

Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Neuropathy in Feet

Peripheral neuropathy is a condition that causes numbness, tingling, and pain in the feet and hands. It occurs when nerves in the extremities become damaged or diseased. There are many potential causes of peripheral neuropathy, including diabetes, autoimmune diseases, infections, toxins, trauma, and nutritional deficiencies. While conventional treatment focuses on pain management and lifestyle changes, some people look to natural remedies like apple cider vinegar to find relief from neuropathy symptoms.

What is Peripheral Neuropathy?

Peripheral neuropathy develops when nerves that carry messages between the central nervous system and the rest of the body become damaged. It often affects the feet first, especially the toes. Common symptoms include:

• Tingling, burning, itching, or numbness in the hands and feet
• Sharp, stabbing pains
• Extreme sensitivity to touch
• Loss of balance and coordination
• Muscle weakness
• Paralysis if motor nerves are affected

Neuropathy can significantly impact a person's quality of life. Loss of sensation in the feet increases risk of injuries and foot ulcers. The constant pain can lead to trouble sleeping, anxiety, and depression. Peripheral neuropathy is often chronic and progressive, worsening over time if the underlying cause cannot be addressed.

Causes and Risk Factors for Neuropathy

There are several factors that can contribute to developing peripheral neuropathy:

• Diabetes - High blood sugar from diabetes can damage nerves over time, making diabetic neuropathy the most common cause.
• Autoimmune diseases - Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and Guillain-Barré syndrome can cause inflammation and damage to nerves.
• Infections - Bacterial and viral infections like shingles, HIV, Lyme disease, and hepatitis B and C are linked to neuropathy.
• Toxins - Exposure to heavy metals, chemicals, and drugs can be toxic to nerves.
• Trauma - Nerve damage from injury, surgery, frostbite, or applying too much pressure.
• Nutritional deficiencies - Not getting enough vitamins B1, B6, B12, E and niacin can harm nerves.
• Alcoholism - Chronic heavy drinking can cause alcoholic neuropathy.

People over the age of 55 are at higher risk for developing peripheral neuropathy. Having an underlying condition like diabetes also increases risk. Nerve damage and neuropathy tend to develop gradually over years of exposure to these contributing factors.

Conventional Treatment for Peripheral Neuropathy

While neuropathy cannot be cured, conventional treatments aim to manage symptoms and slow progression of nerve damage. Common medications and therapies include:

• Pain-relieving medications like NSAIDs, acetaminophen, topical creams, antidepressants, and anticonvulsants.
• Blood sugar control for diabetic neuropathy.
• Immunosuppressants for autoimmune causes.
• Physical therapy to improve strength, balance, and mobility.
• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) units to treat nerve pain.
• Surgery for nerve decompression or to amputate damaged tissue.
• Dietary changes to ensure adequate vitamins and nutrients.

Treatment focuses heavily on symptom management as the underlying nerve damage can be difficult to repair. This leads some people to look to alternative therapies like apple cider vinegar.

Using Apple Cider Vinegar for Neuropathy

Apple cider vinegar (ACV) is a vinegar made by fermenting apple juice. Long used as a folk remedy, some proponents claim ACV has a variety of health benefits from aiding weight loss to improving skin conditions. But can it help relieve peripheral neuropathy symptoms?

ACV and Neuropathy Pain Relief

There is limited scientific evidence about using ACV specifically for peripheral neuropathy. However, some studies suggest it may offer pain-relieving effects:

• A 2018 study found ACV could reduce pain and inflammation in rats with neuropathic pain from nerve injury. The acetic acid in vinegar inhibited inflammatory enzymes.
• Another rat study in 2020 showed that ingesting ACV helped decrease neuropathic pain. It's believed ACV blocks pain pathway signals to the brain.
• Research on shingles, which can cause debilitating nerve pain, found that applying diluted ACV to lesions significantly reduced pain in several human case studies.

The anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of acetic acid, the main compound in vinegars, appears to be behind these pain-relieving effects. More studies in humans are still needed.

Improving Neuropathy Symptoms with ACV

In addition to direct pain relief, there are a few ways ACV may aid neuropathy symptoms indirectly:

• Blood Sugar Control - ACV may improve insulin sensitivity and lower post-meal blood sugar spikes, helping control diabetes.
• Nerve Health - Antioxidants in ACV like chlorogenic acid could protect nerves from further damage due to oxidative stress.
• Circulation - Compounds in ACV help improve circulation, ensuring nutrients reach damaged nerves in the extremities.
• Gut Health - ACV contains prebiotics that support healthy gut bacteria and motility, which impacts neuropathy.

Though evidence is limited, ACV shows potential to address neuropathy symptoms through multiple mechanisms. But more clinical studies are still needed.

Using ACV for Neuropathy in Feet

When using ACV to treat peripheral neuropathy focused in the feet, there are two main methods:

Orally

ACV can be ingested by:

• Mixing 1-2 tablespoons into water or juice and drinking before meals.
• Taking ACV capsules that provide a concentrated dose without the sour taste.
• Adding it as an ingredient in recipes like salad dressings and marinades.

Start with small doses of 1 teaspoon and gradually increase to avoid negative side effects. Avoid taking ACV undiluted as it can damage tooth enamel and tissues.

Topically

For direct foot application, ACV should always be diluted to prevent skin burns. Options include:

• Soaking feet in a basin of warm water mixed with 1 part ACV to 10 parts water for 15-30 minutes.
• Massaging diluted ACV onto feet, avoiding any open cuts or wounds.
• Applying an ACV compress by soaking a cloth in the diluted solution and wrapping feet for 15 minutes.

Rinse feet after soaking and test small areas of skin first to check for reactions. Only use organic, unfiltered ACV which retains beneficial compounds.

Other Natural Remedies for Neuropathy

In addition to apple cider vinegar, there are some other complementary remedies that may help provide neuropathy symptom relief in the feet:

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 deficiency is a common cause of neuropathy. Supplementing with B12 may help repair nerve damage in some cases, especially for diabetic neuropathy. Get levels tested first since high doses taken without need may be harmful.

Alpha-Lipoic Acid

This antioxidant compound found in many foods helps lower blood sugar levels and reduces burning, numbness, tingling and pain from neuropathy based on several studies.

Acupuncture

Acupuncture may stimulate nerve regeneration and boost blood flow. A meta-analysis found consistent evidence it provides effective pain relief for peripheral neuropathy.

Reflexology

Reflexology massage techniques applied to the feet are thought to reduce neuropathy symptoms, especially pain and numbness. More rigorous studies are still needed.

Capasaicin Cream

Topical capasaicin creams derived from chili peppers may temporarily reduce neuropathic pain in the feet by desensitizing nerves. It causes initial burning so gradually increase strength.

When to See a Doctor

Apple cider vinegar and other home remedies should not replace medical treatment from a doctor. See a physician promptly if you experience neuropathy symptoms like:

• Consistent numbness or tingling in the feet or hands
• Burning pain in the limbs
• Weakness in the arms or legs
• Loss of coordination or falling
• Bladder problems or difficulty going to the bathroom

Timely diagnosis and treatment is crucial to identify the underlying cause and prevent permanent nerve damage. A doctor can tailor the best treatment plan for your individual case.

Apple cider vinegar may potentially offer some symptomatic relief when combined with standard neuropathy treatments. Discuss incorporating natural remedies with your physician and use ACV carefully by starting with small doses.

While evidence is still limited, ACV shows promise for reducing neuropathic pain and supporting nerve health. Further research is needed to confirm effects, optimal dosing, and long-term safety. But some people may find their neuropathy symptoms in the feet improve with responsible use of apple cider vinegar.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.