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ORIGINAL: angelikaJ

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For example, peripheral neuropathies caused by vitamin deficiencies can often be halted, even reversed, with vitamin therapy and an improved diet. Likewise, nerve damage brought on by alcohol abuse can often be improved by avoiding alcohol. Peripheral neuropathies caused by toxic substances or medications can often be corrected in much the same way. When neuropathy is related to diabetes, careful monitoring of blood sugar levels may slow its progression and curb symptoms.

Early diagnosis and treatment of peripheral neuropathy is important because the peripheral nerves have a limited capacity to regenerate, and treatment may only stop the progression, not reverse damage that is already present. If you have developed severe impairment, you may need physical therapy to help retain strength and avoid muscle cramping and spasms.

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In fact, muscle sympathetic nerve activity decreased in the BHT group during low potassium compared with high potassium diets (p less than 0.001) and did not change in the NT group. Sympathetic nerve activity was also higher in BHT compared with the NT group during high potassium and low potassium diets, p less than 0.001. In the NT group, the low potassium diet was associated with lower hematocrit levels, weight gain, and increased 24 hour urinary calcium levels. After the low potassium diet, serum potassium fell in both groups, and serum phosphorus fell significantly in the BHT group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

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The proteins, which serve to physically link nerve cells together, were discovered more than a decade ago by UT Southwestern scientists, but their function has been unclear. In the new study the researchers found that one protein increases the excitability of nerve cells, while the other inhibits cell activity. Most importantly, these effects depended on how often the cells fired.

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he brain's fundamental cellular units are called neurons. Neurons have receptor which take messages from neurotransmitters, which are chemicals in the brain that travel between cells. These neurotransmitters are able to bind to neuron receptors and create specific brain activities. The process is complex and the good condition of the protein and fat-based cell membranes in the brain is essential to its success. Changes in cell membranes actually occur from moment to moment and are uniquely affected by factors such as emotions, diet and the immune system. Even slight alterations in this specialized cell membrane design can have negative consequences on the ability of neurotransmitters to produce the desired effects and can ultimately cause 'dis-ease'.
A healthy diet that attends to the specific needs of the brain may help neurons to achieve the most desirable chemical balance naturally. The brain being a hungry organ depends first of all on a healthy liver and gastrointestinal tract to use food well: to properly absorb nutrients and deliver them to the brain, to remove toxins and to maintain proper immune system activity. Because the brain cells are largely composed of fat, the right kinds of fat in the diet are one of the most critical elements in creating and maintaining brain health. The same precious Omega-3 fatty acids that promote healthy hearts can also help our brains. Primary sources of those health-giving fats are fatty cold-water fish including salmon, mackerel, anchovies, sardines, herring and Atlantic sturgeon. Eat fish a minimum of three times a week. Canola, olive and flax-seed oil are good plant sources of Omega-3 fatty acids, with flax seeds, which can also be ground and added to foods, being the supreme, most recommended source. DHA, one of the Omega-3 fatty acids, is the primary structural fatty acid in the gray matter of the brain, which promotes communication between brain cells by allowing synapses to remain soft and functional. By helping build myelin sheaths around nerve fibers, DHA facilitates chemical message transmittal.