Neuropathy Cures Using Macrobiotics

Yin Foods

• Begin with a diet rich in yin foods---in macrobiotic jargon, "cool" foods low in sodium but rich in potassium and generally originating from in aboveground plants such as fruits, vegetables and grains. Yin foods provide plenty of antioxidants, which help control blood glucose. Aim for colorful selections---which tend to have the highest nutrient content---including dark greens such as broccoli, green beans and kale, but also carrots, carrot tops, winter squash, daikon radishes, red cabbage and cauliflower. Steam or sauté vegetable to retain the most antioxidants. Avoid vegetables with little nutritious value, such as cucumbers, celery and most herbs, or those high in carbohydrates such as potatoes. Focus on yellow, orange and red fruits---particularly apples, apricots and pears. While a macrobiotic diet generally calls for avoiding citrus fruits, small servings of oranges or lemons may help control neuropathy.
  
  Potassium, found in sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and almonds helps improve nerve function; eat 1 to 2 cups of these foods every week.
  
  Some ointments used to treat neuropathy contain capsaicin, a compound found in red chilis. Eat this plant in powdered form (it's used extensively in Indian cooking ,for example), or mix it with baby powder and apply it topically.
  
  Get plenty of vitamin B-12; eficiencies in this vitamin greatly exacerbate neuropathy by damaging the myelin sheath that protects the nerves. Though you'll find B-12 most commonly in animal products from poultry and eggs to fish and dairy, yin choices include fortified cereals and grains, as well as fortified soy milk. Select whole grains, oat bread or buckwheat, avoiding white flour or processed grains. Shoot for 50 to 100 micrograms per day of vitamin B-12.
  
  

Yang Foods

• Eat yang foods, or "warm" foods, in small doses. Yang foods include meats, fish, poultry, eggs, hard cheeses, sea salt and sea vegetables, whole grains and legumes. An important source of vitamin B-12, yang foods are also rich in alpha lipoic acid; consuming 50 mg per day of this acid effectively removes glucose from the bloodstream, thus controlling neuropathy. For the best source of alpha lipoic acid, eat organic, lean cuts of red meat. Use sparingly, but consider keeping red meat in your diet.
  
  

Other Considerations

• Avoid caffeine and sugary drinks, both of which agitate neuropathy. Stick to water, green tea and weak teas made from sticks, dandelions and herbs. Use stevia root and honey as acceptable alternatives to artificial sweeteners and sugar.