[PHNUTR-L] Exercise and diet can reduce neuropathic pain and help regenerate nerve fibers in impaired glucose tolerance

[Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD]

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Source: American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
Released: Fri 24-Mar-2006, 12:00 ET
Embargo expired: Wed 05-Apr-2006, 17:15 ET
http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/519036/?sc=dwhp

Exercise and Diet Program Improves Damaged Nerves and Reduces Pain

Description
Exercise and diet can reduce neuropathic pain and help regenerate nerve 
fibers in patients with impaired glucose tolerance ("Prediabetes").

Newswise — Exercise and diet can reduce neuropathic pain and help 
regenerate nerve fibers in patients with impaired glucose tolerance 
("Prediabetes"), according to research that will be presented at the 
American Academy of Neurology 58th Annual Meeting in San Diego, Calif., 
April 1 – 8, 2006.

Impaired glucose tolerance is found in 40 percent of patients with 
idiopathic neuropathy (nerve damage with no identified secondary cause). 
Impaired glucose tolerance neuropathy (IGTN) is characterized by loss of 
nerve fibers in the skin, and is painful. It is thought that IGTN 
represents the earliest stage of diabetic neuropathy. Prior research 
indicates diabetic neuropathy does not improve with currently available 
treatment. Patients with impaired glucose tolerance are at risk for 
developing diabetes, a risk which can be reduced with a program of diet 
and exercise counseling. To test whether this same program could improve 
IGTN, a research team led by Dr. A. Gordon Smith and Dr. Rob Singleton 
studied 32 patients over the course of one year while they received 
individualized dietary and exercise counseling.

They found that the number of nerve fibers (measured by taking a small 
skin biopsy) improved by approximately one third, although patients with 
the worst loss of nerve fibers in their extremities did not improve. 
Overall, patients had reduced pain and better functioning of their 
sensory nerves.

“These findings indicate diet and exercise counseling for patients with 
impaired glucose tolerance neuropathy may result in nerve regeneration,” 
said the study’s lead author A. Gordon Smith, MD, of the University of 
Utah. "This finding is significant because it suggests the earliest 
stage of prediabetic nerve injury may be reversible."

This study was supported by the National Institutes of Health.

The American Academy of Neurology, an association of more than 19,000 
neurologists and neuroscience professionals, is dedicated to improving 
patient care through education and research. A neurologist is a doctor 
with specialized training in diagnosing, treating and managing disorders 
of the brain and nervous system such as Alzheimer disease, epilepsy, 
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson disease, and stroke.

For more information about the American Academy of Neurology, visit 
http://www.aan.com.

Editor’s Note: Dr. Smith will present this research during a scientific 
platform session at 2:15 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5 in room 2 of the San 
Diego Convention Center.

http://www.newswise.com/articles/view/519036/?sc=dwhp
-- 
Kathrynne Holden, MS, RD < fivestar at nutritionucanlivewith.com >
"Ask the Parkinson Dietitian"  http://www.parkinson.org/
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