Peripheral Neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that occurs anywhere in your body to the peripheral nerves (those outside of your brain and spinal cord). In many cases, peripheral neuropathy affects the hands, feet, or both, causing pain, tingling, burning sensations, numbness, muscle weakening or cramping, and loss of sensation. PN is very common in people with diabetes.

Causes of peripheral neuropathy:
Diabetes (diabetic peripheral neuropathy)
Unknown causes (Idiopathic neuropathy)
Chemotherapy
Autoimmune disorders
Poor blood flow to the legs
Nerve pressure
Nutritional deficiencies
Metformin use
*Elevated homocysteine levels
**Genetic variant MTHFR

*Homocysteine is an amino acid that is broken down into two other amino acids your body requires. Vitamins B12, B6, and folate are needed in the right amounts for this. You may have high homocysteine levels if these vitamins are not present in proportional amounts or if you have inherited the genetic variant MTHFR that inhibits your ability to break down homocysteine. This can increase your risk of vascular diseases, heart disease, and stroke.

**If you have the MTHFR genetic variant, you may have difficulty breaking down folate. This variant is present in up to 50% of the population and even higher in those with diabetes. The MTHFR genetic variant is present in up to 50% of the population — and at higher percentages in those with diabetes. This variant reduces folate levels and increases homocysteine levels. The BIOFOLATE® in EBM Medical Foods is unaffected by this variant and aids in the breakdown of homocysteine.

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