Has anyone taken vitamin E for numbness on the soles of their feet and had a good outcome? I would love to try it as I have a little bit of numbness on the soles of my feet and I would like to try and make things better
Although I don’t have any problems, B12 was recommended since mine was lowish, and that has some relationship with neuropathy, but be careful to keep doses reasonable. When my endo suggested B12, she said that no one ever dies from too much B12, but the next day, while researching, I found a study that showed increases death rates with higher B12. Oops!
I don’t have that issue, but what harm can taking Vitamin E have IF you take it, as James warned, in a reasonable dose. Talk to your endo, find out how much you should have, and give it a try. Everyone is different, so what may not work for one person may work wonderfully well for you. Educate yourself and go for it. You have nothing to lose.
Hey there,
I’ve tried taking vitamin E for numbness in my feet, and I did notice some improvement over time. It seemed to help with circulation and made the numbness a bit less noticeable. I took it consistently along with some lifestyle changes like better footwear and gentle exercises.
That said, everyone’s different, so it might be worth giving it a try, but I’d recommend checking with your doctor first to make sure it’s the right fit for you.
Hope it helps!
I’d check with your doctor, especially after glancing at this article.
I see my doctor on Monday. I will mention in a little bit of numbness in my feet and ask him about vitamin E deficiency. I also have the gastroparesis so that could be one of my reasons why I might be low in that vitamin.
I am curious as to why you are asking about Vitamin E. Do you have studies or data pointing to taking that as a supplement helps?
Separately, a timely article from Consumer Reports:
It summary:
Finding Relief
How your neuropathy is treated usually depends on the cause, Feldman says. If it’s type 2 diabetes, exercise and weight loss, if needed, can improve symptoms, according to a 2022 review in the journal Lancet Neurology. Neuropathy due to an autoimmune disorder, hypothyroidism, or a vitamin B12 deficiency often eases once the underlying condition is corrected. If it’s caused by chemotherapy, your doctor may change your regimen or advise a treatment break.
If those steps aren’t enough, medication may help. The American Academy of Neurology advises trying tricyclic antidepressants like amitriptyline, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) and venlafaxine (Effexor ER), or gabapentinoids like gabapentin (Neurontin and others). A topical prescription capsaicin patch helps, but it can cause a rash or burning sensation.
If you have foot neuropathy, you should see a podiatrist several times a year to have your feet checked for sores, ulcers, and signs of infection. You should also examine your feet daily.
And if you’re 50 or older, make sure to get Shingrix, the two-dose shingles vaccine. Shingles can cause a painful condition called postherpetic neuralgia, which has similar symptoms to neuropathy, Feldman says. Shingrix has been found to be more than 90 percent effective at preventing it in people who get shingles.
Honestly, I question the use of Vitamin E for neuropathy. This is the AI summary of Vitamin E and neuropathy, prompted by “studies supporting Vitamin E for treatment of neuropathy”:
Several studies suggest that Vitamin E may be beneficial in treating neuropathy, particularly in the context of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), with research showing that it can potentially reduce the incidence and severity of nerve damage caused by certain chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin, by acting as an antioxidant to combat oxidative stress on nerves; however, some studies have shown mixed results and further high-quality research is needed to confirm its efficacy fully.
Key points from studies supporting Vitamin E for neuropathy:
- Reduced incidence of CIPN:
A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials found that vitamin E supplementation at 600mg/day significantly lowered the occurrence of peripheral neuropathy in patients undergoing cisplatin chemotherapy.
- Mechanism of action:
Vitamin E’s antioxidant properties are believed to protect nerve cells from damage caused by free radicals generated during chemotherapy.
- Plasma vitamin E levels:
Studies have observed decreased plasma vitamin E levels in cancer patients who developed severe neuropathy after cisplatin treatment, further supporting the link between low vitamin E and nerve damage.
Important considerations:
- Inconclusive findings:
While some studies show promising results, others have not found a significant benefit of vitamin E in preventing or treating neuropathy, highlighting the need for more robust research.
- Dosage and type of vitamin E:
The optimal dosage and form of vitamin E for neuropathy management is still being investigated.
- Consult a healthcare professional:
Before using vitamin E for neuropathy, it is crucial to discuss with a healthcare provider to determine if it is suitable and to establish the appropriate dosage based on individual needs.
I was only curious. My diabetic doctor said that when neuropathy improves, it can cause numbing on the bottom of your feet so that is the diagnosis that I got and I’m sticking with it.