2. Nutrients
proteins, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins,
and minerals provided by food and
necessary for growth and the
maintenance of life
Nervous system
an organ system that coordinates the
activities of muscles, monitors organs,
constructs and processes data received
from the senses, and initiates actions
Nutrients are needed by nervous system
such as oil needed by car engine
3. Factors affecting nervous systemFactors affecting nervous system
Daily Stress Factor
nervous system uses up the available
nutrients in the blood stream and when they
are depleted, a person may begin to feel
stress
Deficiency Factor
important because a person can actually
begin to feel "stressed out" when the system
has depleted the nutrients necessary to
maintain the nervous system
4. Nerve NutrientsNerve Nutrients
Nutrients needed by nerves to maintain
its activity and function
Nerve nutrients
Vitamins
•B complex
Minerals
•Calcium
•Magnesium
Others
5. Vitamin B1 ( Thiamin)Vitamin B1 ( Thiamin)
One of the most vital nutrients for
nerves
Taking too much straight B1 or any one
type of B vitamin may destroy the balance
of other vitamins and minerals
Maintain your energy supplies,
Coordinate the activity of nerves and
muscles, Support proper heart function
Depleted by: Many substances, such as
alcohol, caffeine and medications
6. Nervous system supportNervous system support
1. permits healthy development of the fat-
like coverings which surround most
nerves (called myelin sheaths)
degenerate or become damaged
Pain, prickly sensations, and nerve
deadening
7. 2. production of the messaging molecule
acetylcholine
neurotransmitter, is used by the
nervous system to relay messages
between the nerves and muscles
acetylcholine is used by the nervous
system to ensure proper muscle tone in
the heart, deficiency of B1 can also
result in compromised heart function
8. Source of vit. B1Source of vit. B1
Inability of the nervous system to ensure
proper muscle tone in the GI tract can
lead to indigestion or constipation, and
muscle tenderness, particularly in the calf
muscles.
asparagus, mushrooms, spinach,
sunflower seeds, tuna, green peas,
tomatoes, eggplant
9. Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)Vitamin B12 (cobalamin)
helps in the formation of the nerve cells
themselves, the most basic of the nervous
system structures
peripheral neuropathy related to B12
deficiency :
Symptom- leg and foot pains experienced
by many (include "pins and needles"
sensations)
irreversible spinal cord degeneration
10. Vitamin B9 (folate/folic acid)Vitamin B9 (folate/folic acid)
involved in the production of
neurotransmitters
degeneration of peripheral nerves
cause both carpal tunnel syndrome (with
symptoms of numbness, tingling, and pain
in the hands and wrists)
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
11. Vitamin B8 (Biotin)Vitamin B8 (Biotin)
useful in treating:
1.peripheral and autonomic neuropathies in
diabetes
2.HIV-related neuropathies
improvement in nerve conduction and
relief of pain
4-8 weeks of therapy
12. Deficiency/inactivity causes disordered
activity of the biotin-dependent enzyme,
pyruvate carboxylase, leading to an
accumulation of pyruvate and/or a
depletion of aspartate, either of which
could adversely affect nervous system
metabolism
13. InositolInositol
decreased level of myo-inositol is
believed to cause a decrease in the
activity of the sodium-potassium pump
and, thus, to change the sodium
permeability of nerves
treatment with acetyl-L-carnitine can
help raise nerve myo-inositol content
14. peripheral nerve function linked to nerve
myo-inositol content and that acetyl-l-
carnitine can raise the levels of myo-
inositol in the nerves
It also apparently protects the nerve
membranes from free-radical damage, as
evidenced by reduced malondialdehyde
15. Gamma Linolenic AcidGamma Linolenic Acid
help to rebuild the myelin sheath around
the nerves, thus restoring proper nerve
conduction
17. Minerals: MagnesiumMinerals: Magnesium
very important role in the upkeep of the
nervous system
help the body make use of calcium most
efficiently
Deficiency:
nervousness and confusion
lack of potassium can lead to nervous
disorders
18. Nutrient RDA Affects
Food sources
(highest first)
Vitamin B6
(Pyridoxine)
2 mg energy levels, amino acid
absorption, formation of
brain, nerves and blood,
anti-allergy, anti-
depressant, protein and
carbohydrate absorption,
preventing skin conditions
and nerve problems
yeast, wheat bran,
wheatgerm, oatflakes,
soya flour, bananas,
wholewheat, nuts, chicken,
pork, fatty fish, brown rice,
potatoes, vegetables, eggs,
whole grains, dried beans
Vitamin B12
(Colbalamin)
1 mcg DNA metabolism, making
red blood cells, formation
of the nerves, detoxifies
cyanide in smoke
fatty fish, pork, beef, lamb,
white fish, eggs, cheese,
milk (only found in foods of
animal origin)
19. Nutrient RDA Affects
Food sources
(highest first)
Vitamin C
(Ascorbic
acid)
60 mg anti-oxidant, assists iron
absorption, activates
folic acid, anti-stress,
brain and nerves,
immune system,
protection against
viruses and bacteria,
healing wounds,
reducing cholesterol, cell
lifespan, preventing
scurvy. Also a natural
laxative.
acerola cherry juice, camu
pulp, rosehip syrup,
blackcurrants, guavas,
parsley, kale, horseradish,
broccoli tops, green peppers,
citrus fruit, kiwi fruit, berries,
tomatoes, cauliflower,
potatoes, green leafy
vegetables
Biotin
(formerly
known as B8)
150 mcg energy levels,
maintaining healthy
skin, hair, sweat glands,
nerves, bone marrow
and sex glands
yeast, eggs, wholegrains,
wheat bran, wheatgerm,
wholemeal bread, maize
(corn), fish, meats, rice,
vegetables
20. Nutrient RDA Affects
Food sources
(highest first)
Folate,
folacin, folic
acid (formerly
known as B9)
200 mcg RNA and DNA
metabolism, production
of red blood cells,
preventing birth defects
and promoting disease
resistance in young
babies. A deficiency
during pregnancy can
result in spina bifida in
the newborn infant.
yeast, soya flour,
wheatgerm, wheat bran,
nuts, green leafy vegetables,
rye and whole wheat, pulses
(beans), wholemeal bread,
citrus fruit, egg yolks, brown
rice, carrots, melon, apricots,
pumpkin, avocado
Inositol 500-
1,000mg
controls blood cholesterol
levels, anti-anxiety,
maintains healthy hair
lecithin granules, beef heart,
desiccated liver, wheatgerm,
lecithin oil. liver, brown rice,
cereals, beef steak, citrus
fruits, nuts, molasses,
pulses, green vegetables,
wholemeal bread, soya flour
21. Nutrient RDA Affects
Food sources
(highest first)
Niacin
(formerly
known as
B3)
18 mg converting food into
energy, building red blood
cells, maintains healthy
skin, nerves, brain,
tongue and digestion
yeast, wheat bran, nuts,
chicken, soya flour, meat,
fatty fish, whole grains,
cheese, dried fruit,
wholemeal bread, brown rice,
wheatgerm, eggs, avocado,
peanuts
Pantothenic
acid
(formerly
known as
B5)
6 mg energy levels, anti-stress
remedy, controls fat
metabolism, antibody
formation, maintains
healthy nerves, detoxifies
drugs, fatigue, allergies,
asthma, psoriasis
yeast, peanuts, pecans and
hazelnuts, wheat bran,
wheatgerm, soya flour, eggs,
chicken, meats, whole grains,
dried beans and peas,
wholemeal bread,
mushrooms, cauliflower,
potatoes, avocado, oranges,
bananas, milk, fresh fish,
cheese
22. Nutrient RDA Affects
Food sources
(highest first)
Calcium 800mg bones and teeth hard cheeses, soft cheeses,
tinned fish, nuts, pulses
(beans), cow's milk, root
vegetables, eggs, cereals,
fruit, wholemeal bread, fresh
fish, human milk
Magnesium 300mg bones, nerves and
muscles, energy
production
soya beans, nuts, yeast,
wholewheat flour, brown rice,
dried peas, shrimps,
wholemeal bread, rye flour,
seafood, dried fruit,
vegetables, meats, bananas,
green leafy vegetables
Manganese 2.5-
5mg
growth, joints and bones,
nervous system, energy
production, female sex
hormones
cereals, wholemeal bread,
nuts, pulses (beans), fruit,
green leafy vegetables, liver,
root vegetables, meats, fish,
black tea
23. Nutrient RDA Affects
Food sources
(highest first)
Potassium - maintains body water
balance, catalyst for
enzymes involved in
energy production,
stabilising body cell
structure, protein
synthesis, control of nerve
impulse transmission,
acid/alkali balance,
intestinal tract
dried fruits, soya flour,
molasses, wheat bran, raw
salad vegetables, chips, nuts,
breakfast cereal, muesli,
drinking chocolate, savoury
biscuits, fresh fruit, boiled
vegetables, fish, meats, fruit
juices, eggs, cheese, brown
rice, white rice
24. CURRENT RESEARCHESCURRENT RESEARCHES
Positively Well: Living With HIV As A
Chronic, Manageable Survival Disease
therapies which have proven useful
for diabetics may also work for at least
some people living with HIV who develop
neuropathy.
25. University of Athens
regular, long-term use of biotin in
diabetics was very effective both for
improvement in nerve conduction and
relief of pain
In this study, biotin was given via daily
intramuscular injection (10 mg/day) for 6
weeks; then 3 times per week (10 mg),
intramuscularly, for 6 weeks; then 5
mg/day taken orally for up to two years.
26. University of Alabama
found a statistically significant
improvement in nerve function in
diabetics placed on a diet high in inositol
doses of 2-6 grams per day has resulted
in improvements in neuropathy
Robert Atkins, M.D., has reported his
successful use of 2-6 grams per day for
reversing diabetic neuropathy, and
physicians at St. James Hospital in Leeds,
England, have reported good results with
even smaller dosages
27. Stanley Mirski, M.D.
a large percentage of his diabetic patients
who suffer from neuropathy have
achieved improvements with daily
thiamine supplementation in doses of 50-
100 mg
28. ConclusionConclusion
Deficiency of nutrients could lead to
many nerve related diseases.
The only way to treat the nerve damaged
that are caused by nutrients, is to take
the correct nutrients; vitamins and
minerals in adequate amount.
