A medical expert has shed light on a mineral he says “no one talks about” and how it could reverse nerve damage. Dr Eric Berg, DC, a 59-year-old chiropractor, claims that this mineral is often ‘overlooked’ despite being linked to a common deficiency that is linked to some nerve-related problems.
As a specialist in healthy ketosis and intermittent fasting, Dr Berg has authored the bestselling book The Healthy Keto Plan and serves as the Director of Dr Berg Nutritionals. Although he no longer practices, he dedicates his time to educating the public on health matters through social media.
In a recent video shared with his 13 million YouTube subscribers, Dr Berg recommends that individuals experiencing sciatica pain consult their GP about possibly increasing their copper intake. Sciatica pain occurs when the sciatic nerve, which runs from the buttocks down to each leg, becomes damaged, often due to a herniated disc or bone overgrowth putting pressure on the nerve roots in the lumbar spine.
According to Dr Berg, the sciatic nerve is “the longest and largest nerve in the body, and 90% of sciatica cases involve the discs in your spine.” He further explains that “sciatica typically stems from a disc problem. Copper deficiency is at the root of many disc problems, so it can be an excellent solution for sciatica. A copper supplement or copper cream can help reduce sciatica pain.”
A lack of copper can result in nerve issues, weakened connective tissues, and a higher likelihood of nerve irritation and discomfort. Over time, this deficiency may cause muscle weakness, a reduction in collagen, and impaired nerve signalling, which can exacerbate sciatica symptoms.
Research published in Cureus has associated copper deficiency with severe polyneuropathy and lasting neurological harm, especially in individuals with compromised nutrient absorption, reports Surrey Live.
Copper plays a crucial role in maintaining nerve health and function, and deficiencies can potentially lead to nerve damage. Compression of the sciatic nerve can cause sciatica pain, which is discomfort that shoots down the leg.
Dr Berg said: “One of the enzymes that greatly impacts sciatica is the same enzyme that uses copper as an essential cofactor for building collagen. 75% of the outer part of the discs in your spine are made out of collagen. Copper is also used in enzymes involving your nerves and is essential for many other bodily functions.”
Dr Berg highlighted the use of copper in various natural remedies for inflammation and pain relief. He continued: “It’s also used for myeloneuropathy, which can lead to various nerve problems. In many cases, myeloneuropathy is caused by a copper deficiency. Copper is very low-risk, non-toxic, and relatively inexpensive.”
Despite copper’s importance for nerve health, evidence linking copper supplementation to sciatica relief remains limited. More established sciatica treatments include physical therapy, stretching, medication, and sometimes surgery.
Top causes of copper deficiency:
- A lack of copper in the diet
- Intense physical exercise (especially at higher altitudes)
- Taking a lot of zinc, iron, potassium, or niacin without also taking copper
- Consuming enriched flour products
- Consuming fluoride from tap water
- Taking high amounts of ascorbic acid
- Excessive sweating
- Sun tanning too often
- Stress, high levels of DHEA, or high levels of cortisol
- Consuming distilled water
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Consuming too much sugar, coffee, alcohol, or aspartame
Dr Berg adds: “A genetic problem with copper absorption can also lead to a deficiency in copper. A copper brace that wraps around the buttocks where the sciatic nerve is or other topical copper remedies may be beneficial for sciatic nerve pain.”
Incorporating sufficient copper into your diet is vital. Foods rich in this mineral, such as liver, oysters, shellfish, sugar-free dark chocolate, cashews, and various meats, are highly recommended.
Should a GP diagnose you with a copper deficiency, you may consider taking a prescribed copper supplement as directed by your health care provider. If you suspect a copper shortfall, seeking medical advice for testing and discussing appropriate treatments is advisable.
While copper bracelets are often touted for pain relief, studies suggest their effectiveness is comparable to that of a placebo.
Addressing other deficiencies related to nerve pain, Dr Berg identifies vitamin B6 shortage as a potential culprit for carpal tunnel syndrome. “Along with increasing vitamin B6, you also need more vitamin B12 to support the myelin sheaths of your nerves,” he advises.
Dr Berg also delves into the intriguing topic of how viruses can conceal themselves within ganglia, the clusters of nerve cells. He explains: “This can turn off autophagy – a state in which the body recycles damaged proteins. Here, the viruses can lie dormant until stress levels rise, which increases cortisol and weakens the immune system. Emotional stress can significantly weaken the immune system.
“This is why many dormant viruses come out of remission after a stressful event, such as losing a loved one. The herpes and shingles viruses are often seen after a significant stressor.
“These viruses need the amino acid arginine to survive. Lysine can block arginine and stop the reproduction of these viruses. You need at least 1000 to 3000 mg of lysine to block arginine.”
The doctor also highlighted that numerous individuals with diabetes suffer from peripheral neuropathy, which leads to numbness in the toes and feet.
He said: “Vitamin B1 in the form of benfotiamine can penetrate the myelin sheath and help reverse nerve damage caused by high blood sugar.” To ensure vitamin B1’s effectiveness, he noted: “For vitamin B1 to work, you need the cofactor magnesium.”
This story originally appeared on Express.co.uk
