Why do my Feet Hurt - The Connection between Neuropathy and Free Radicals

A recent TIME Magazine cover story, The Secret Killer, (Feb 2004) elaborated on the extensive amount of research which has now identified "inflammation" as the underlying cause of most diseases and chronic conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, arthritis and many others - not the least of which is neuropathy. And what lies behind pain and inflammation? Free radical damage!

Most of us have heard the term, "free radicals," - enough to know that they are undesirable and that they can be counteracted with antioxidants. However, few individuals understand their true nature or the significance of the damage they can cause. Free radicals are the underlying cause of pain and inflammation and they are a two-edged sword.

The term free radical refers to a molecule with an unpaired electron. At the molecular level, electrons are most stable when they are paired - as in a happy marriage. When they lose their "mate," they become extremely volatile until they find a new partner. The attraction to "pair up" is so strong that it is used by the body during the immune response to rob electrons from the membranes of invading organisms. For single-celled bacteria, this means certain death. Free radicals are also used by the body to initiate the healing response. So, in some ways free radicals are very important. However, when the body mobilizes large numbers of free radicals to challenge an infection or heal an injury, we are often left with an overabundance of free radicals to deal with.

Free radicals can also be excessively generated as a result of poor food choices, medicines, air and water pollution and even the amount of stress we experience. They are the by-products of metabolic reactions. In a healthy individual, free radicals are kept in check by antioxidants which are also naturally produced in the body and provided from healthy foods. However, when poor diet, environmental pollution, stress, illness or injury cause a disturbance in the balance between free radicals and antioxidants, serious consequences can result.

Neuropathy results from free radical damage
Free radicals that are left unchecked, steal electrons from healthy tissues and cellular components, causing a variety of consequences known as oxidative stress. A chain reaction is set in motion, where each molecule is transformed into an electron-hungry radical itself. This "free radical tag" continues non-stop, thousands of times a second, leaving behind, a wake of damaged tissues. Free radicals literally unzip the molecular bonds within the tissues and cellular components of our bodies. They destroy cell membranes, cellular components and nerve tissue. For those with neuropathy, the nerve damage results in pain, tingling, numbness and other symptoms. And that's why your feet hurt!

Free radicals ? Inflammation ? Nerve damage and Tissue death ? PAIN

An interesting fact about nerve cells is that they do not divide or replicate like most other types of cells. When free radicals cause irreparable damage to nerve cells, they are gone and for the most part, they cannot be replaced. Pain, numbness and other symptoms are usually the first indicators of damage that has been going on a long time - and it means that there is no more time to waste! The nerve damage and lack of circulation in the feet (also due to free radical damage) leads to tissue death and to sores that won't heal. It can often result in amputation.

Alpha Lipoic Acid - the best tool against free radical damage!
Alpha Lipoic acid (ALA) - the active ingredient in Neurelief Foot Creme, is one of the most powerful antioxidants known. It has been heavily researched in the area of diabetes and neuropathy and the latest clinical trials show that it significantly reduces the symptoms of both.*

There are several reasons why ALA produces such profound results. ALA has the ability to regenerate other antioxidants, allowing them to be reused over and over again in the battle against free radicals. ALA is also both water and lipid (fat) soluble, which means that it is effective, both inside and outside the cells of the body. But perhaps most importantly is the fact that ALA easily penetrates the tissues of the skin, instantly taking its free radical-balancing power to the over 1300 nerve endings in each square inch of the bottom of your feet. Many notice relief in minutes!

If you have neuropathy or any kind of foot pain - you can be sure free radicals are on the rampage! Now there is something you can do about it!

Neurelief Foot Creme.

*Be sure to read the next Neurelief Newsletter for the latest research on Alpha lipoic acid.