TN and Vitamin Therapy

Over time there have been many therapies for TN which have been more or less successful for different people. One that was interesting was the use of Vitamin B12. I have found Two documents that my be interesting. The first is from the Facial Pain Association website and the second is a summary of what the different vitamins do in the human body.

FPA – Vitamin B12 and Nerve Health

If damaged myelin is at the heart of the trigeminal nerve’s short-circuiting pain, then fixing it seems to be a logical goal. Neurosurgeons address this problem by seeking to move a blood vessel away from the area where the vessel is hitting the nerve as blood pumps through it and consequently wears down the myelin sheath.

The nutritional approach encourages the body to heal injured myelin. Because Vitamin B-12 is thought to play a role in myelin production, it is one of the most common nutrients used in trying to combat TN and neuropathic facial pain.

Research Supporting the Use of B-12

Researchers explored Vitamin B-12 injections and pills as a TN treatment as early as the 1940s and 1950s. In three separate studies between 1952 and 1954, more than three-quarters of the 49 patient participants got complete or marked relief from Vitamin B-12 shots given daily for 10 days. The daily doses ranged from 100 to 1000 micrograms. The studies do not, however, follow up to determine the length of time patients received pain relief.

When Dilantin and Tegretol became available, B-12 research was largely abandoned. Therefore, the only recent study, from Japan, linked the methylcobalamin form of B-12 to the prevention and treatment of chronic fatigue syndrome, Parkinson’s disease, neuropathies, Alzheimer’s disease, and muscular dystrophies. The researchers suggest that high doses of methylcobalamin may help regenerate myelin and nerve cells. Because there have been no detailed, double-blind studies of its effectiveness, there is no protocol for the use of B-12 in neuropathic facial pains like TN.

TN Patients Successfully Used B-12

Striking Back! The Trigeminal Neuralgia and Face Pain Handbook, references several TN patients who have reported good results from using B-12. FPA is compiling a list of patients who are willing to talk about their experiences.

High Doses of Vitamin B-12

Nutritionist Patricia Hausman reports in her book, The Right Dose: How to Take Vitamins and Minerals Safely, that there is little risk of taking too much B-12. She says that Swedish doctors found no problems in patients who took single doses as high as 100,000 micrograms or in patients who took 500 to 1000 micrograms daily for three to five years. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to discuss any therapy with a trusted health practitioner.

Different Forms of Vitamin B-12

The most common form of B-12 is cynocobalamin. This is also the least expensive and is found in most drug stores. However, nutritional experts suggest that the most effective form is methylcobalamin. The human body does not utilize cynocobalamin and must convert cynocobalamin to methylcobalamin. The most effective ways to utilize B-12 is by injection or by a sublingual form that is placed under the tongue until dissolved. B-12 also is available in the form of a gel that is placed in the nasal passages. Tablets that must be swallowed are usually distorted by stomach acid and have a very low utilization. Check with your local health food store for sublingual methylcobalamin. Injectable methylcobalamin must be made by a compounding pharmacist because it is not commonly available.

Summary of Vitamins

VITAMINS: All natural vitamins are organic food substances found only in living things, that is, plants and animals. With few exceptions the body cannot manufacture or synthesize vitamins. They must be supplied in the diet or in dietary supplements. Vitamins are essential to the normal functioning of our bodies. They are necessary for our growth, vitality, and general well-being. 

HOW THEY WORK: A lot of people think vitamins can replace food. They cannot. In fact, vitamins cannot be assimilated without ingesting food. That is why we suggest taking them with a meal. Vitamins help regulate metabolism, help convert fat and carbohydrates into energy, and assist in forming bone and tissue. 

It is believed that nutritional imbalances can cause or increase neuralgias. There is abundant medical research to demonstrate that vitamin and mineral deficiencies are much more common than once believed. Research has shown successful treatment outcomes of neuralgia treated with vitamins B12, C and D.

Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 is recommended for many neurological conditions. Low vitamin B12 levels have been found in people who suffer from TN pain. It's possible that low levels fail to sustain the demand of repair to the myelin from a nerve that is being traumatized. This may be one of the explanations why TN pain is intermittent.

Vitamin B12 is found in animal products, fish, beef, poultry, eggs, dairy and fortified foods. The body can't make it on it's own so you need to get it from foods or supplements.

Vitamin C

Vitamin C is an antioxidant that serves as a cofactor for many enzymes and plays a role in the synthesis of collagen, neurotransmitter, and numerous neuropeptides. It has important functions in wound healing, energy metabolism and nervous system.

Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits, red peppers, strawberries, broccoli, cabbage, kale.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is beneficial to the skeletal system but also to the neurologic, cardiovascular and immune systems. A significant connection between the lack of vitamin D and multiple sclerosis suggests the intriguing possibility of using Vitamin D in treating TN. Some studies have shown a link between low levels of Vitamin D and the incidence of both acute and chronic pain.

Most foods with the exception of fatty fish are poor sources. Fortified foods such as milk, soy products and cereal grains are enriched with synthetic vitamin D2 which has to be metabolized in our bodies to create the active form of the vitamin. Meeting the daily requirement from food alone is not always possible. Most vitamin D comes from the action of sunlight on cholesterol in the skin. During the winter months in countries where there is not enough sunlight, people will usually have Vitamin D deficiencies. Supplementation is a key part of nutritional therapy that can replace missing nutrients. Scientists stress the importance of supplementing with vitamin D3 which is the natural form of vitamin D, rather than with the synthetic vitamin D2 used in fortifying foods.

Magnesium and vitamin D should be taken together. Taking magnesium helps your body to absorb and use minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, and potassium and vitamins like vitamin D.

• • • Magnesium rich foods

    • Green leafy vegetables ( e.g. Spinach, kale)

    • Fruit (figs, avocado, banana, raspberries)

    • Nuts and seeds (flax seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, cashews)

    • Legumes (black beans, chickpeas, kidney beans)

    • Vegetables (peas, broccoli, cabbage, green beans, artichokes, asparagus, Brussels sprouts)

    • Seafood (salmon, mackerel, tuna)

    • Whole grains (brown rice, oats, wheat, barley, quinoa)

    • Dark chocolate

    • Tofu

Supplementation

There are many reasons why supplementation is necessary. Environmental stress such as drought, depleted soils in which foods are grown through over-production, and the use of chemical fertilizers all compromise the quality of our food supply. Also some drugs can interfere with vitamins and vice versa to affect the daily requirements. Vitamin therapy for health conditions should be supervised by a knowledgeable professional. High dosage or improper combinations can cause severe health risks.