Diabetes and nerves
Diabetic nerve damage: the basics and a daily foot routine
Diabetic nerve damage is harm to nerves from long-term high blood glucose and other diabetes-related changes. NIDDK says about one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy. Glucose targets and medicine changes are a clinician's decision, and no supplement replaces that care.
Written by the Flow Nerves label deskUpdated · 5 min read
The basics
What is diabetic nerve damage?
Diabetic nerve damage, or diabetic neuropathy, is nerve harm that comes with diabetes. NIDDK says long-term high blood glucose and high blood fats such as triglycerides can damage nerves, and that about one-third to one-half of people with diabetes have peripheral neuropathy (NIDDK, Diabetic neuropathy).
NINDS calls diabetes the leading cause of peripheral neuropathy in the U.S. (NINDS, Peripheral neuropathy). It is a complication to be watched, not a verdict.
| Type | Where it shows up |
|---|---|
| Peripheral | Usually feet and legs, sometimes hands and arms |
| Autonomic | Nerves for the heart, blood pressure, digestion, bladder and sweat glands |
| Focal | Single nerves, most often entrapment such as carpal tunnel |
| Proximal | Hip, buttock or thigh |
Foot checks
How do you do diabetes foot care checks each day?
Look at your feet every day and write down what you see, so a sore does not go unnoticed when feeling is reduced. The sources we read do not set a foot-care schedule, and we did not read NIDDK's foot-care pages, so ask your care team what to check and how often.
What we can say: a sore or wound on a numb foot, or new numbness when you have diabetes, is a reason to tell your care team promptly. Sudden numbness or weakness on one side is a 911 call (CDC, Stroke signs and symptoms).
One bottle, 30 capsules0 of 30 ticked
- As the seller's FAQ says
One capsule daily with a meal and a full glass of water. Confirm on your bottle: the printed label wins, and we have not seen the back of the bottle.
- 30 capsules a bottle
One bottle holds 30 capsules: 30 days at one a day. Tap a tile to tick a day; the sheet is a counting aid and saves nothing.
- Do not exceed the bottle
Take only what the bottle says. If you take blood thinners, diabetes medicine, thyroid hormone, antibiotics, seizure medicine or chemotherapy, ask a pharmacist first.
- Ask first
Under 18, pregnant, nursing, or a liver, gallbladder or kidney condition: ask a clinician before you start, and never change a prescribed medicine because of a supplement.
Directions from the seller's FAQ (Flow Nerves sales site). The sheet counts days only; it is not a schedule.
Who decides
Who sets your glucose targets?
Your clinician does, and the targets depend on you. We give none. Mayo Clinic says the best way to prevent peripheral neuropathy is to manage the medical conditions that raise the risk (Mayo Clinic, Peripheral neuropathy).
Keep taking prescribed medicine exactly as directed. Never stop or change diabetes medicine because of a supplement, and ask a pharmacist before adding one.
Read about the wider causes in peripheral nerve basics.
Flow Nerves capsule: 30 a bottle1 capsule a day per the seller's FAQ · 2, 3 or 6 bottles · 2 bottles at $79 each · other prices at checkout
See the priceSupplements
Can a supplement replace diabetes nerve care?
No. Flow Nerves is a once-daily capsule, not a diabetes medicine, and nothing we read says it helps with diabetes or its complications.
It names alpha lipoic acid, the best-studied of its six ingredients, but prints no amount. In NATHAN 1, 460 people with diagnosed diabetic neuropathy took 600 mg of oral alpha lipoic acid daily for 4 years; the main end point was not met, and serious adverse events were 38.1% on the supplement against 28.0% on placebo (Ziegler 2011, NATHAN 1 oral alpha-lipoic acid). No trial tested Flow Nerves.
MSK lists low blood sugar as an adverse effect of alpha lipoic acid, so anyone on insulin or other diabetes medicine should ask a pharmacist first (MSK, Alpha-lipoic acid). We hold no Supplement Facts panel.
If, after talking with your care team, you want to see the seller's packs, they are below; confirm at the live checkout.
90-capsule supply
3 bottles: 90 capsules
At checkoutprice shown at checkout
Shipping as shown at checkout · 60-day promise
See 3 bottles
180-capsule supply
6 bottles: 180 capsules
At checkoutprice shown at checkout
Free shipping on this kit, as the seller's page states; confirm at checkout · 60-day promise
See 6 bottlesDollar amounts for these two packs are shown at the live checkout; the seller's brief printed none (Flow Nerves sales site). Two bottles are also sold at $79 each. If you take blood thinners, diabetes medicine or thyroid hormone, ask a clinician or pharmacist before you order.
FAQ
Flow Nerves questions people ask
Is diabetic nerve damage reversible?
We found no source in our set that says it can be reversed, and MSK notes earlier studies of reversing neuropathies were mixed. Ask your care team what is realistic for you. No supplement is shown to repair nerves.
How often should I check my feet with diabetes?
We read no source that sets a schedule, so ask your care team. A daily look is a common habit, and any sore or wound on a numb foot should be reported to them promptly.
Does Flow Nerves lower blood sugar?
No claim we hold says so, and we make none. Alpha lipoic acid carries a documented low blood sugar caution for people on diabetes medicine, so ask a pharmacist before any use.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the bottle render, the seller's brief and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is the information site of a licensed U.S. retail desk for Flow Nerves. It is not the manufacturer, and we have not been given the name of the maker. We earn money when you buy through our order links.
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Check your medicines first, and ask a clinician or pharmacist if you take blood thinners, diabetes medicine or thyroid hormone. Then pick a pack: 2, 3 or 6 bottles of 30 capsules. The 2-bottle pack is listed at $79 a bottle; the other prices are shown at checkout. A 60-day satisfaction promise is listed, so confirm the live policy.
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