New approach to peripheral nerve injury: nutritional therapy

ABSTRACT

Purpose of review: There is no review in the literature on the effect of nutrition-related factors on peripheral nerve injuries. Therefore, it is aimed to evaluate the effect of nutritional factors on nerve injuries in this compilation.

Recent findings: Although there are several fundamental mechanisms by which nutrients and nutritional factors influence individuals, their exact impacts on neurogenesis have not been clearly identified. Recently, some studies showed that some nutrients have an important role in nerve injuries due to their neuroprotective properties. In addition to surgical treatment, in peripheral nerve injuries, these nutrients also may play a role in preserving nerve function and health, as well as in the recovery of an injured nerve tissue. Omega 3 and omega 6 fatty acids, group B vitamins, antioxidants, several minerals, phenolic compounds, and alpha lipoic acid are thought to have impacts on the nervous system. In addition to all of these, gut microbiota has effects on the nervous system, and some nutrient-related factors can also affect neurogenesis via gut microbiota.

Summary: Peripheral nerve injury is a condition in which the nerves in the peripheral nervous system become damaged. After the trauma, the peripheral nerve is hardly repaired due to the following reasons; the disability of the regeneration of motor neurons, the lack of a survival environment for Schwann cells, and the poor ability of the nerves to regenerate. Nutrition-related factors, the effects of which were described in recent years, should be more taken into account more.

KEYWORDS:

• Central nervous system
• nutrition
• nutritional therapy
• peripheral nerve injury

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Hilal Yildiran graduated from Hacettepe University in 2002. She had a master degree in 2006 and a Ph.D. degree in 2009 in Nutrition and Dietetics. Currently, she is an Associate Professor at Gazi University.

Melahat Sedanur Macit graduated from Ankara University in 2012. She had a master degree in 2015, and currently, she is a Ph.D. student at Gazi University. She works as a research assistant at Ondokuz Mayıs University.

Gizem Özata Uyar graduated from Hacettepe University in 2013. She had a master degree in 2017. She is a Ph.D. student and research assistant in Gazi University. She also works as a dietitian in the department of Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition.