What is neuropathy?
The short answer
Neuropathy means damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It usually starts in the feet with tingling, numbness or burning, and it is most often caused by diabetes or low vitamin B12.
Choose your depth
Neuropathy means damage to nerves outside the brain and spinal cord. It usually starts in the feet with tingling, numbness or burning, and it is most often caused by diabetes or low vitamin B12.
Choose Detailed for the fuller picture, or Scientific for mechanisms and study data.
Peripheral nerves carry messages between the brain and the rest of the body: touch, temperature, pain and the signals that move muscles.
Why the feet first?
The nerves to the feet are the longest in the body, so they are the most vulnerable when their energy supply or blood flow is affected.
Why it matters
Numb feet may not feel a cut or blister, which in people with diabetes can lead to serious infections. Checking the feet daily is one of the most protective habits.
Read more in our answer to What causes neuropathy?
Length-dependent axonal polyneuropathy produces a stocking-and-glove distribution. Assessment includes monofilament testing, vibration perception with a 128 Hz tuning fork, ankle reflexes and, where needed, nerve conduction studies.
What we know
- Diabetes is the leading cause.
- Daily foot checks prevent complications.
The evidence
Related ingredients
Sources
- Aroda VR, Edelstein SL, Goldberg RB, et al. Long-term metformin use and vitamin B12 deficiency in the Diabetes Prevention Program Outcomes Study. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2016;101(4):1754-1761.
- Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, et al. Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes Care. 2006;29(11):2365-2370.
Last updated 15 October 2026.
This is educational content and does not replace advice from a qualified doctor. If you have symptoms or take medicines, please speak to your doctor before making changes.
