Helping Your Body Heal: The Vizuri Way

Part 01 / Nerve Health

Burning, Tingling, or Numb Feet? What Your Nerves May Be Telling You

Maybe your toes feel as though they have fallen asleep, even when you have been moving around. Perhaps your feet burn when you settle into bed, or you find yourself watching the ground more carefully because you do not feel quite as steady as you used to.

These changes can be easy to explain away. A long day. Uncomfortable shoes. Getting older.

At Vizuri Health Center, we encourage you to pay attention when something feels different. Persistent numbness, tingling, burning, or changes in balance deserve a closer look. Understanding what is happening is the first step toward making informed decisions about your care.

What is peripheral neuropathy?

Your peripheral nerves connect your brain and spinal cord with the rest of your body. Some help you feel touch, temperature, and pressure. Others help your muscles move. When peripheral nerves become damaged or stop working properly, the resulting condition is called peripheral neuropathy.¹

That term describes a problem with nerve function; it does not, by itself, tell us why the problem developed. This distinction matters. Two people can both describe burning feet and need very different care.

We believe a helpful conversation begins with more than naming the symptom. We also need to consider its pattern, its effect on your daily life, and the possible conditions behind it.

Neuropathy does not always feel like pain

Burning and electrical sensations often get people's attention. Reduced sensation can be quieter. You may feel as though you are walking on padding, notice that your socks seem bunched up when they are not, or struggle to tell exactly where your feet are positioned.

Symptoms can include tingling, numbness, unusual sensitivity to light touch, weakness, and difficulty with balance. The combination depends on which nerves are affected.¹ Something that feels strange rather than painful can still be worth evaluating.

Think about how these changes influence your choices. Are you avoiding uneven trails? Holding the railing more tightly? Cutting a shopping trip short? Those details help communicate the real impact of your symptoms, even when a pain score does not capture it.

Why finding the cause matters

Diabetes is a common cause of peripheral nerve damage, but neuropathy also occurs in people who do not have diabetes. Possible contributors include certain vitamin deficiencies, medication effects, heavy alcohol use, autoimmune conditions, kidney disease, and injuries or pressure affecting nerves. Sometimes, a cause remains unknown despite investigation.²

This is why we do not recommend choosing a treatment based on a symptom checklist alone. A person with a nutritional deficiency needs that deficiency addressed. Someone with a medication-related problem needs a discussion with the prescribing clinician. Other findings may call for specialist evaluation.

At Vizuri, our interest in whole-person health means taking the broader story seriously. We want to understand what may be contributing and where our care can fit within the support you need.

Could the problem be coming from somewhere else?

Tingling does not automatically mean a widespread neuropathy. A compressed nerve near the spine can also cause radiating pain, numbness, or weakness. For example, cervical radiculopathy involves a nerve root in the neck and may produce symptoms into an arm or hand.³

The location and distribution of symptoms provide clues, but they do not establish a diagnosis on their own. Whether symptoms affect one side or both, follow a particular path, or change with position can help guide the examination.

Bring a simple description to your visit: where symptoms begin, when they occur, how long they last, and what makes them better or worse. You do not need perfect medical language. Your observations are useful.

What an evaluation can help clarify

An assessment typically includes a health history and examination. Depending on the findings, additional testing or referral may be appropriate. Blood tests, nerve conduction studies, and other investigations answer different questions; no single test explains every case.^{1, 2}

We also encourage you to bring a medication and supplement list, along with any previous test results. Tell us about changes in walking, sleep, work, and the activities you enjoy. Together, these pieces help build a clearer picture.

A meaningful next step should leave you understanding what is known, what still needs clarification, and what options make sense for you.

When to act sooner

Sudden one-sided numbness or weakness, especially with facial drooping or trouble speaking, calls for dialing 911 immediately.⁵ Rapidly worsening weakness also needs urgent medical attention. If you have reduced feeling in your feet, a new wound or signs of infection should be assessed promptly.^{2, 4}

For ongoing symptoms, you do not need to wait until they become severe to start the conversation.

Start with understanding

At Vizuri Health Center in Williston, we offer a neuropathy program and believe education is an essential part of care. We want you to feel comfortable asking questions and clear about your next steps.

If burning, tingling, or numbness is changing how you live, contact our team to schedule an evaluation. We can help you explore whether our neuropathy services are appropriate or whether another type of evaluation should come first.

In the next article, we will look at the question many people ask next: Can damaged nerves heal, and what should a thoughtful treatment plan include?

Sources & further reading

National Library of Medicine. Peripheral Nerve Disorders. Read source
MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Peripheral Neuropathy. Read source
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Cervical Radiculopathy (Pinched Nerve). Read source
NIDDK. Diabetes & Foot Problems. Read source
CDC. Signs and Symptoms of Stroke. Read source

Warning Signs, Risks, and Natural Solutions

**Don’t Let Prescription Meds Rob You Of Valuable Nutrients**

Prescription medications provide relief for various conditions and illnesses. For some people, they’re an important part of maintaining health and vitality. However, many come with the unwanted side effect of depleting nutrients that are essential to your body.

Our bodies require sufficient vitamins and minerals to function properly– these micronutrients support healthy cell growth, immunity, and metabolism. In theory, we should get all the nutrients from the food that we eat. However, most North Americans don’t eat a balanced diet and despite advances in agricultural technology designed to enhance desirable traits such as size, growth rate and pest resistance, the nutritional quality of our food is diminishing. The unfortunate news is that certain prescription medications can exacerbate this nutrient deficiency even further.

Over time, nutrient deficiencies can cause unwanted symptoms, such as fatigue, brain fog and poor sleep. You may even develop another underlying condition caused by nutrient deficiency, resulting in more doctor’s visits than you’d probably like!

Thankfully, there are practical steps that can be taken to reduce the risk of nutrient depletion.

How Does Nutrient Depletion Happen?

Some medications simply suppress your appetite, such as adderall or vyvanse. Antidepressants, on the other hand, can make you crave more “junk” foods that contain scarce nutrients. Others impact the absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract, or accelerate their metabolism.

Medications can also increase urination and therefore flush nutrients from your body at a faster rate than normal.

Watch Out For These Symptoms Of Nutrient Deficiencies

Potential symptoms of nutrient deficiencies include, but are not limited to:

● Fatigue

● Weakness

● Poor sleep

● Changes in appetite

● Dry brittle hair and nails

● Dandruff and hair loss

● Pale skin, dry eyes and dark eye circles

● Poor digestion – diarrhea, constipation, bloating

● Tingling or numbness

● Irritability/moodiness/brain fog

Many of these symptoms can be associated with other conditions, or can be dismissed as fatigue from our busy lifestyles. But if you notice any of the above symptoms, it may be time to review the medications you’re taking with a healthcare practitioner.

So, Which Drugs Deplete Nutrients?

More than 66% of US adults take at least one prescription medication, and this number is increasing. Here are some commonly prescribed medications that often lead to nutrient depletion:

Antacids. Often prescribed for gastrointestinal (GI) disorders, antacids can be temporarily helpful for reducing uncomfortable heartburn by reducing stomach acid production. However, stomach acids also play a large role in your body’s absorption of nutrients. Research shows that long-term use of antacids deplete key vitamins like B12 and magnesium.
Antibiotics. These tend to disrupt the gut flora, killing off “good” bacterias that are needed to absorb nutrients in food. It is common to see low levels of B vitamins, potassium, and biotin as a result of disruptions to the gut flora.
Antidepressants. Prescribed to help with mood disorders, these medications can also cause changes to your appetite and food cravings. In turn, this will impact the quality of nutrients your body is getting. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) have also been associated with folic acid depletion.
Blood Pressure Medications. Prescriptions that lower blood pressure can also lower nutrients. For instance, beta blockers can disrupt the biological pathway of coenzyme Q10, which is essential for cellular processes. Diuretics are also commonly associated with deficiencies, as they increase urination, flushing out potassium, zinc, and magnesium at a higher rate than normal.
Biguanides. These are used to improve glucose tolerance in patients with type 2 diabetes. They also tend to reduce the absorption of vitamin B12.
Cholesterol lowering drugs. Often categorized as statins, these medications work by inhibiting an enzyme involved in the liver’s cholesterol production process. This enzyme is also crucial in the production of Coenzyme Q10, so deficiency is often an issue.
Hormone Replacement Therapy. Certain hormonal prescriptions, especially those containing estrogen, have been found to deplete folic acid, magnesium, and B vitamins.

How To Prevent Nutrient Depletion From Prescription Medication

Now that we’ve covered some of the popular prescriptions associated with nutrient depletion, we can move on to prevention.

While in many cases these medications can be crucial, you also shouldn’t have to sacrifice your overall health to manage a condition.

1 – Eat a whole foods diet.

Ensuring that you are getting enough nutrients through your food is key in avoiding nutrient depletion. Many nutrient deficiencies that people experience when they start a new prescription occur because they already had deficits in their diet. Make sure to eat:

Fresh fruits and vegetables daily. Antioxidant rich berries, vitamin and mineral rich leafy greens, and nutrient dense complex carbs like sweet potatoes are all incredibly nutritious and very versatile.
Quality meat and eggs. Aim for organic and pasture-raised, as these will have the most abundant nutrients.
Healthy fats. Think olive oil, avocado oil, nuts, and fatty fish. These will keep you full longer and help curb junk food cravings.

2 – Address gut health.

Proper nutrient absorption begins with the gut. It is not just how you eat that is important, but how well your body can digest and eliminate that food. You may not feel the benefits of your balanced diet if your gut health is lacking. We recommend:

Working with a practitioner to get to the root of any gut related problems like poor digestion or absorption.
Eating probiotic rich foods, such as yogurt or kefir, especially if you are taking pain medications, antibiotics, or oral contraceptives. This will help replenish the “good” bacteria that gets killed from these medications.

3 – Supplementation.

Supplementation can be a great way to replenish nutrients lost as a result of medication, though it is important to work with a practitioner to determine the proper dosage for your needs.

IV therapy, which can offer a higher uptake of key vitamins and minerals, is often a good option to replenish leached vitamins and minerals.

Addressing The Root Cause

While prescription drug use has become incredibly common in North America, it is important to be aware of the side effects that come with so many of them. And it’s important to note that prescription medication does not always have to be the answer, in fact it’s often just a band aid solution to manage a symptom rather than a plan for long term health. Working with us can help determine if the prescription you are taking could be making other symptoms worse. As integrative functional health practitioners, we strive to find the root cause of our patients’ imbalances to get them back to their best state of health in the most natural way.

Your body needs crucial nutrients to function at its best; they are vital for energy, cognition, bone health, and more. Failing to replenish the nutrients lost as a result of medication may lead to further health complications down the road. Eating a balanced diet, focusing on gut health, and supplementing where needed will help ensure your health does not suffer as a result of your medications.

There is no reason to settle for suboptimal health! If you suspect your health is being impacted by medications, come in to review your medications and formulate a plan to get your health back!

Sources

Drake, V (2020), Ph.D.Linus Pauling Institute Oregon State University Retreived from https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/drug-nutrient-interactions

Cass, H. (2019, May 22). A practical guide to avoiding drug-induced nutrient depletion. Nutrition Review. Retrieved from https://nutritionreview.org/2016/12/practical-guide-avoiding-drug-induced-nutrient-depletion/

Mathieu, L. (2018, January 22). Drug-induced nutrient depletion: The warnings not listed on your RX label. Coastal Pharmacy & Wellness – Compounding Pharmacy and Vitamins and Supplements Store in Portland, Maine. Retrieved from https://www.coastalpharmacyandwellness.com/drug-induced-nutrient-depletions-not-listed-on-rx/

Mohn, E. S., Kern, H. J., Saltzman, E., Mitmesser, S. H., & McKay, D. L. (2018, March 20). Evidence of drug-nutrient interactions with chronic use of commonly prescribed medications: An update. Pharmaceutics. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5874849/

Morea, J. (2017, February 10). 6 ways to boost your nutrient absorption by improving your gut health. Medium. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@moreajamie/6-ways-to-boost-your-nutrient-absorption-by-improving-your-gut-health-2d2321189587

Prescription Meds + Nutrient Depletion