Neuropathic ulcer, well that's a fancy name for leg ulcer… it is an infected area on your leg or foot and results from damage which you could not feel. So really, this is the time when it would be great for you to realize if you have diabetic neuropathy, you should do everything you can to control your blood sugar levels. There may not be time later!

Use whatever measures you can to regain a normal fasting blood sugar level by:

• increasing your intake of fiber
• raising your protein intake
• adding cactus fruit jelly or
• herbs

to your diet each day.

In a study reported in the Journal of American Podiatric Medical Association in September/October, 2009, Dr. K. Winkley and his research team studied people with diabetic foot ulcers.

They found that of 253 people with diabetes and their first foot ulcer, there were:

• 40 people who died
• 36 diabetics needed an amputation,
• 99 diabetics suffered from foot ulcers recurring
• 52 people had ulcers that just would not heal

Frightening statistics! Who would have though that forty people with diabetes would actually die from foot ulcers they probably did not even know they had. They were not aware of pain because they had peripheral neuropathy and couldn't feel anything! It is equally shocking to find out that thirty-six either needed their foot or lower leg amputated. These figures mean 30% of the total number of people in the study died or required an amputation.

Thirty-nine per cent had their neuropathic ulcers return and 21% had ulcers that would not heal.

These statistics are a tragedy … why didn't someone intervene and make sure that they did heal? Who checked their protein levels to make sure that their body had the raw material it needed to create new skin? The ability to create new skin is innate in every one of us. All we have to do is provide enough protein and antioxidants to do the job. Who checked to see if they had enough antioxidants?

The answer is: no one!

To ensure this does not happen to you:

• have 75 grams protein each day if you weigh 120 lbs (54.4kg) or less. If you weigh between 120 and 200 lbs (54.4 and 90.7kg) add another 15-25 grams protein. More than 200 lbs (90.7kg) … make it a total of 125 grams for the day. Some experts recommend a daily protein intake of 0.55 grams per 2.2 lbs (1 kg) of body weight for patients with compromised kidney function.
• take your supplements: alpha-lipoic acid appears to improve neuropathy symptoms as does gamma-linolenic acid. Carnitine reduces pain in diabetic neuropathy and magnesium appears to slow the progression of neuropathy over the long term.

You can get over this type of neuropathic ulcers, or foot ulcers, without dying, without an amputation, without a recurrence and without having healing problems.