Seems almost
everybody knows somebody suffering from carpal
tunnel syndrome. This painful disorder is thought
to be caused by injury or doing repetitive work
with the hands, the kind of work typists and carpenters
do. Some doctors think the syndrome may be diet
related.
Taking vitamin B6 for carpal tunnel syndrome was
first suggested in 1950 by George Phalen, MD,
who gave us the first clinical description of
the syndrome. He noticed more patients complaining
of the disorder at the same time our diets started
containing more tartrazine (FD&C yellow dye
#5), which interferes with absorption of vitamin
B6.
Drs. John Ellis and Karl Folkers, of the University
of Texas, conducted studies using vitamin B6 for
carpal tunnel syndrome with favorable results.
Hundreds of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome
were successfully treated in double-blind studies
they conducted. In some cases, it took three months
of vitamin supplementation to produce results
but relief of symptoms was achieved.
Even more effective results using vitamin B6 for
carpal tunnel syndrome were achieved in one study
when other B-complex vitamins were taken along
with vitamin B6. Vitamin B2 was shown to be particularly
beneficial. It is used to convert vitamin B6 (pyridoxine)
to pyridoxal 5-phosphate, its more active form.
If the threat of surgery is looming, treatment
with vitamin B6 might be something to try first.
Suggested dosage is 25 mg three or four times
a day. Vitamin B2 (riboflavin) dosage suggested
is 10 mg per day. This vitamin regimen is likely
to be enhanced by following a low-protein diet
and avoiding all foods containing yellow dyes.
Reference:
Murray, Michael, ND, and Joseph Pizzorno, ND;
Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Revised 2nd
Edition; Prima Publishing, Rocklin, CA; 1998
|
