Numbness and tingling in hands and feet
Check what applies to you and the best-matched supplements move to the top.
Nothing checked yetDefault order, by strength of evidence.
Bottom line
For numbness and tingling in hands and feet, start with B-complex (high-dose B12), Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), Iron. The first one to look at is B-complex (high-dose B12) — 1 B-complex capsule, plus 500–1,500 mcg of B12 (methylcobalamin) for numbness or nerve pain; After breakfast or lunch. At night it can disturb sleep.
Supplements ranked for this concern
AWell researchedBSome evidenceCLimited evidence
| # | Supplement | Evidence | When | How much | Caution | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B-complex (high-dose B12)Matches your checks Low B12 can cause numbness in the hands and feet and muscle aches. High-dose methylcobalamin may help ease nerve pain and tingling. |
B | After breakfast or lunch. At night it can disturb sleep. | 1 B-complex capsule, plus 500–1,500 mcg of B12 (methylcobalamin) for numbness or nerve pain | Keep B6 at 100 mg a day or less, counting all products. If you get upper stomach pain, take it right after a meal. | Compare products |
| 2 | Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA)Matches your checks Used as a medicine for diabetic nerve damage in some countries. It may help ease numbness and tingling in the hands and feet. |
A | On an empty stomach 30 minutes to 1 hour before a meal, apart from other supplements | 100–200 mg for maintenance, 600 mg if you have numbness | If you take diabetes medicine or insulin, your blood sugar may drop too low. Start with a low dose. | Details |
| 3 | IronMatches your checks Your body needs it to make dopamine, so it's the first thing to check for restless legs, especially in women. |
B | On an empty stomach (before breakfast or at bedtime). If it upsets your stomach, take it right after a meal. Keep it apart from coffee and tea. | 12–20 mg a day, upper limit about 40 mg (if you've been diagnosed with anemia, follow your doctor's prescription) | It can cause constipation or heartburn. Don't take high doses for a long time on a guess. Confirm with a blood test. | Compare products |
| 4 | MagnesiumMatches your checks Relaxes nerves and muscles. Many people find it eases restless legs, tingling hands and feet, and eyelid twitches. |
B | After dinner. If you take 2+ capsules, split them up. | 200–400 mg a day (a product that also contains B6 is a good choice) | If you have kidney disease, talk to your doctor first. | Compare products |
| 5 | Vitamin DMatches your checks In people who were low, taking it was linked to about 62% fewer restless legs symptoms. |
B | Right after breakfast or lunch | Start at 4,000 IU for 3–6 months → maintain at 1,000–2,000 IU | Keep your total, including multivitamins, at 4,000 IU a day or less. | Compare products |
| 6 | Pycnogenol (pine bark extract)Matches your checks Supports circulation and may help ease cold, numb hands and feet and nerve pain. |
C | With or without food. If you take 2 capsules, split them between morning and evening. | 100–200 mg a day | If you take a blood thinner or blood pressure medicine, talk to your doctor. | Details |
| 7 | Omega-3Matches your checks Helps protect blood vessels and nerves and lower inflammation. A useful add-on for managing numbness. |
C | Right after a meal | 1,000–2,000 mg of EPA+DHA a day | If you take a blood thinner, talk to your doctor first. | Compare products |
Medications to watch out for
If you take any medication, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting.
Diabetes drugs and insulinAlpha-lipoic acidMay lower blood sugar further and cause low blood sugar. Start low and check your blood sugar.
Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin) and aspirinOmega-3 · PycnogenolMay raise bleeding risk. Talk to your doctor.
Blood pressure medicineAlpha-lipoic acid · Pycnogenol · Magnesium · Omega-3May lower blood pressure further and make you dizzy.
Quinolone antibiotics (ciprofloxacin/Cipro, etc.) and tetracyclines (doxycycline, etc.)Iron · MagnesiumThey block each other's absorption. Space them 2–4 hours apart.
Being treated for kidney diseaseMagnesium · Vitamin DThey may build up in your body or strain the kidneys. Talk to your doctor before taking them.
Before supplements: daily habits
- 01If numbness comes on suddenly on one side, or you feel weak, see a doctor right away instead of reaching for supplements.
- 02If you have diabetes, blood sugar control is the foundation of managing numbness. Check your feet every day.
- 03Iron and alpha-lipoic acid bind to each other. Take them at different times.
- 04If you have restless legs, cut back on caffeine and alcohol in the evening and try stretching your legs before bed.
- 05Add supplements one at a time and watch how your body responds for 2–4 weeks.
Product comparison
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin) 2000 mcgBest value Nutricost |
Methylcobalamin (active) capsule | 1 capsule: B12 2,000 mcg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Methyl B-12 1000 mcg Lozenges NOW Foods |
Methylcobalamin (active), dissolvable lozenge | 1 lozenge: B12 1,000 mcg (label 1–2) | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Potency Vitamin B Complex 462mg Nutricost |
Regular B vitamins + methyl B12 | 1 capsule: B1 60, B2 75, B6 50 mg, B12 1,000 mcg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Super B Vitamin B Complex Sustained Release Bronson |
Regular B vitamins, time-release tablet | 1 tablet: B1, B2, B6 50 mg each | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Coenzyme B-Complex with Methylfolate and B12 Country Life |
Coenzyme (active) B1, B2, B6 + methyl and adenosyl B12 | 1 capsule: B1, B2, B6 25 mg each, B12 250 mcg (label 1–2 capsules) | 240 | Average | Amazon → |
| Active B-Complex with Methylfolate Integrative Therapeutics |
Active B2, B6, folate (Quatrefolic), B12 (methyl) | 1 capsule: B1, B2, B6 25 mg each, B12 500 mcg (label 1–2 capsules) | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| B-Complex Plus Pure Encapsulations |
Active B2, B6, folate (Metafolin), B12 (methyl) | 1 capsule: B1 100, B2 12.7, B6 16.7 mg (label 1–2 capsules) | 120 | High | Amazon → |
| High Strength Super B-Complex (Methylated & Active) Igennus |
Active B2, B6, folate (5-MTHF), B12 (methyl), time-release tablet | 2 tablets: B1 40, B2 28, B6 40 mg, B12 1,800 mcg | 180 | High | Amazon → |
Compare all B-complex (high-dose B12) products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gentle Iron 28 mg CapsulesBest value Nature's Bounty |
Bisglycinate + vitamin C, folate, B12 | 28 mg | 90 | Low | Amazon → |
| Iron 18 mg (Ferrochel) Veg Capsules NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate chelate (Ferrochel) | 18 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Absorption Iron with Ferrochel 27 mg Doctor's Best |
Bisglycinate chelate (Ferrochel) | 27 mg | 120 | Low | Amazon → |
| Gentle Iron 25 mg Vegetable Capsules Solgar |
Bisglycinate chelate | 25 mg | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| Iron 18 mg Capsules Amazon Elements |
Bisglycinate chelate | 18 mg | 195 | Low | Amazon → |
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magnesium Citrate 200 mg TabletsBest value NOW Foods |
Citrate | 400 mg | 250 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Bisglycinate Powder (Albion)Best value NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate powder (Albion) | 250 mg | 91 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Citrate Pure PowderBest value NOW Foods |
Citrate powder | 435 mg | 76 | Low | Amazon → |
| Natural CALM Magnesium Powder (Raspberry Lemon)Best value Natural Vitality |
Citrate (magnesium carbonate + citric acid, forms when mixed with water) | 325 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium (Citrate) 100 mg Life Extension |
Citrate | 200 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| High Absorption Magnesium (Glycinate Lysinate Chelate) Doctor's Best |
Glycinate/lysinate chelate (Albion) | 200 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Citrate Veg Capsules NOW Foods |
Citrate | 400 mg | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Magnesium Glycinate 100 mg (Albion) NOW Foods |
Bisglycinate chelate (Albion) | 200 mg | 180 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Magnesium products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 1000 IU SoftgelsBest value Nature's Bounty |
D3 in soybean oil softgels | 1,000 IU per serving | 350 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 5000 IU Softgels Viva Naturals |
D3 in coconut oil softgels | 5,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D-3 1,000 IU Softgels NOW Foods |
D3 in olive oil softgels | 1,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 1000 IU Softgels Nature Made |
D3 in soybean oil softgels | 1,000 IU per serving | 300 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D-3 2,000 IU Softgels NOW Foods |
D3 in olive oil softgels | 2,000 IU per serving | 240 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 2000 IU Softgels Nature's Bounty |
D3 in soybean oil softgels | 2,000 IU per serving | 350 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 5000 IU Softgels Doctor's Best |
D3 in olive oil softgels | 5,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
| Vitamin D3 2000 IU Mini Softgels NatureWise |
D3 in olive oil mini softgels | 2,000 IU per serving | 360 | Low | Amazon → |
Compare all Vitamin D products →
| Product | Form | Per serving | Count | Cost per day | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burp Less Ultra Omega-3 from Fish Oil 1400 mgBest value Nature Made |
EE (ethyl ester), enteric-coated | 935 mg | 90 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 950 mg Solgar |
EE (ethyl ester) | 882 mg | 100 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 2400 mg, Lemon Nature's Branch |
Form not listed, lemon flavor | 1440 mg | 180 | Low | Amazon → |
| Extra-Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 1000 mg + Vitamin E, Lemon NatureWise |
EE (ethyl ester), lemon flavor | 1000 mg | 60 | Low | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 1250 mg (Wild Alaska Pollock) Sports Research |
rTG (re-esterified triglyceride) | 950 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 2000 mg Dr. Tobias |
Form not listed, enteric-coated | 1400 mg | 180 | Average | Amazon → |
| Burp Less Omega-3 Fish Oil 1400 mg Minis Nature Made |
EE (ethyl ester), mini softgels | 930 mg | 60 | Average | Amazon → |
| Triple Strength Omega-3 Fish Oil 3000 mg, Lemon BioSchwartz |
Form not listed, lemon flavor | 2100 mg | 90 | Average | Amazon → |
Compare all Omega-3 products →
Cost per day is relative — compared with other products of the same supplement. Check Amazon for the current price. Some links are affiliate links.