Diabetic neuropathy is a painful condition that affects millions of diabetics each year. Chronic pain that appears suddenly, severe numbness and tingling in the extremities, and long-term nerve damage are just a few of the complications of peripheral neuropathy that can seriously impact your ability to perform your regular daily activities. While prescription medications can somewhat slow or stop the progression of neuropathy, the following foods can also promote nerve healing and repair, potentially helping to ease the painful neuropathy symptoms:

1. Bell peppers
Bell peppers are part of a larger family of fruits and vegetables, called the nightshade family,  that should be added to your diet to help address nerve pain. These natural sources of power-packed nutrition are loaded with antioxidants that reduce inflammation and promote cellular repair. Sizzle up a stir fry, crunch with hummus, or add them to a salad for a delightful and healthy addition to your diet.

2. Fatty fish
The importance of omega-3 fatty acids in your diet is not to be overlooked—many doctors will tell you that having enough of this nutrient in your diet is an essential aspect of nerve and cell repair. Fatty fish, such as salmon, tuna, and mackerel, are very high in omega-3 fatty acids that can soothe irritated nerves and improve your cardiovascular health.

3. Whole grains
Whole grains are an excellent source of quality nutrients such as protein, iron, fiber, zinc, and magnesium. High-fiber content combined with protein helps to keep you full longer, stabilize your blood sugar and reduce the damage done by volatile blood sugars, and promote brain development, all of which can help ease the symptoms of diabetic neuropathy. Brown rice, for example, is an excellent addition to any meal that can easily be paired with a good protein for a balanced and nutritious meal.

4. Quality protein
Lean protein is necessary for your body to build and repair new tissues. Organ meats, in particular, are packed with high vitamin and mineral content, providing much of your daily requirements for many essential nutrients. Eating several servings per week of lean protein, such as chicken, turkey, and fish, can also reduce inflammation, provide you with more efficient energy, and keep blood sugar levels more stable, thus reducing the damage done to nerves by volatile sugars.

5. Yams
These brightly-colored tubers are rich in carbohydrates and soluble fiber, which slows down the digestion process and prevents a fast rise in blood sugar levels. Yams are also rich in vitamins A, C, and B6 as well as folic acid, niacin, and magnesium, which all work to protect the cell structures in nerves that would otherwise break down as diabetic neuropathy progresses.

With proper nutrition, exercise, and adequate stress management, it is possible to manage the effects of neuropathy. Eating well doesn’t have to be a temporary fix, but an exciting way of life that allows for better health and better quality of life.