In a new study published in the November issue of the journal Diabetes Care, the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid (or ALA), taken in pill form, lessened pain in people with diabetic neuropathy, or nerve damage resulting from diabetes. Previous research has shown that intravenous ALA therapy can help to reduce pain and numbness due to diabetic neuropathy, but treatment with ALA in pill form has not been widely studied.
In this study, 166 people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes were divided into four groups. Three of the groups received different doses of ALA, while the fourth group received a placebo (or inactive pill). After five weeks of once-daily treatment, all three groups that had been taking ALA experienced reductions in total neuropathy symptoms, stabbing pain, and burning pain compared to the placebo group. (There were, however, no significant differences between the treatment and placebo groups in numbness.)
Because all three doses of ALA were similarly effective and the side effects of treatment—nausea, vomiting, and dizziness—increased with the dose, the researchers concluded that the lowest studied dose of 600 milligrams once daily appeared to be the most effective.
ALA is a sulfur-containing compound that is made in small amounts in the body but is not found in food. Other studies have shown that its action as an antioxidant may not only help protect against neuropathy pain, but may also enhance insulin action, improve blood circulation, and decrease oxidative stress in people with diabetes.
If you are interested in trying ALA therapy, it’s important to discuss taking it with your health-care provider before you start. There is some chance that ALA could increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people who use insulin or certain oral diabetes drugs. It may also interfere with absorption of the vitamin biotin. Finally, keep in mind that ALA supplements, like all supplements, are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for quality or effectiveness.
You know this is good to hear, I know it would help me and others when I feel pain in my legs.
I hope it can be approved for this pain
It is good to know.
David
Posted by David Buitt | Nov 29, 2006 at 1:59 pmHi David,
Posted by Tara Dairman, Web Editor | Nov 29, 2006 at 2:28 pmALA is a supplement that is already on the market, rather than a prescription drug awaiting approval. If you are interested in trying it, talk to your diabetes care provider, who may be able to recommend a trustworthy brand or source.
Thanks for letting me know it is already on the market. It is nice to hear that.
I will have to talk to my Dr. about getting this. It is nice that a real person answered my comments.
Thanks again
David
Posted by David Buitt | Nov 29, 2006 at 2:43 pmI don’t need a new study to know this is great stuff. I started using it several months ago and currently have NO neuropathy symptoms anymore.
I take Rexall brand (purchased at WalMart for about $8 for a bottle of 75 capsules) 200mg three times a day. Even though this study only dosed once a day, it has been used in Europe for years and they (according to several websites) recommend 3 times a day due to the speed of metabolization.
I do get one side effect. I get indigestion if I take it without eating after taking it.
I’m glad to see America finally getting into looking at more natural remedies. I do wish they were better regulated because I did try another brand but had symptoms return while using it.
One thing they didn’t mention, no neuropathy treatment is going to work if you continue creating new damage by not controlling your blood sugar levels!
Posted by Ephrenia | Nov 29, 2006 at 3:23 pmI’ve been taking ALA for about 8 years. It completely
Posted by Joyce | Nov 29, 2006 at 3:34 pmgot rid of the numbness in my toes and relieved
pain in my thighs. I also recommend acetyl-l-carnitine.
Puritans Pride Vitamins sells a combo of the two on their
website.
My wife and I have been using 600 mg/day ALA for several years. We have noted significant reduction, not only in neuropathy of the feet and legs for me (I am a type 2 diabetic of 15 years) but also joint pain from trigger finger surgery for my wife. I have recommended it to my friends for years. We take our dosage in the morning with breakfast and have not seen any side affects. Many studies recommend two doses/day but due to convenience and positive results we have stayed with one.
Posted by Robert | Nov 29, 2006 at 4:26 pmMy daughter brought me a bottle of ALA last weekand suggested I ask my physician about it. My neuropathy symptoms have just begun this month and been diagnosed.The Dr. approved its’ use, but I am still waiting for a dosage schedule. I am eager to try this as we decided to try to go the nonprescription route first.
Posted by Mary | Nov 29, 2006 at 7:29 pmMy endocrinologist recommended “Alpha-betic” multivitamins years ago when I was first diagnosed with T2DM because it contained ALA. I have no idea of the amount of ALA contained in the vitamin. I do know my neuropathic pain is gone as long as I take it and when I am off for about a week, the pain starts to creep back. I gave it to my Dad who does not have diabetes, but has neuropathy for other reasons. He has had good results also.
Posted by Diana | Dec 05, 2006 at 3:22 pmhello to everyone, My name is Nate and I have had diabetes for about 18 years now and just recently was diagnosed with diabetic neuropathy (legs,feet and arms). I have tried the drugs (vicadin and neurotin)for the pain but get very nauceous, so I am now trying a special formula the wellnes support network, extracts from vitamins B1 and B12, it seems to help alittle and I’ve contacted their customer support and they suggested I increase my dosage, 2 or 3 steps per week, although I have read that ALA (alpha lipoic acid, 300-600mg),GLA (from Borage, Evening Primrose or Black Currant Oil, 450mg), carnitine (acetyl and L about 1K mg)and magnesium 300mg will also help with neuropathy, has anyone tried any of these in combo form and if so has it helped ? the burning pain was really intense initially but has subsided somewhat but not entirely, it still keeps me awake at night and the bottom of my feet still burn, also are there any problems taking any of these together, it seems to me that the more the merrier in helping to relieve and restructure my nerve endings. I would appreciate any feed back, thanks.
Posted by nlruiz | Sep 19, 2008 at 1:32 amNate
Another thing to note if you are a diabetic on statin drugs (cholesterol lowering drugs), you are at rist of neuropathy due to the statins lowering your Co-Q10 levels. It is probably a great idea to supplement with about 200mg of Co-Q10 to replace what is being lost.
Posted by Tara Fifer | Aug 14, 2009 at 11:34 amI have had diabetics for 6 years and not till this week has it been a real wake up call. I have deep burning, itching, and reddness in my hads. I went to the dr. about it and was told it was probobley nearopthy. the dr. said there is nothing he could do for me. I’m the type of person that hates pain and did not like to stick myself. but in light of the pain in my hands from the burning and itching I’m going to start checking myself more offten. and start the ala today and see if it helps.
Posted by remi | Oct 12, 2009 at 10:06 amMy Step Father suffers extremely badly from Diabetes and Diabetic Neuropathy here in the uk. In fact the doctors here have said that his is the worse case of Diabetic Neuropathy they have seen. As we speak, my Step Father is yet again in hospital in another Diabetic coma (the 3rd in as many months)from which the doctors are finding it difficult to bring him round. They cannot find any help for him from the numerous tablets he has to take each day (including many morphine based drugs. It seems as though the doctors just change him from one set of pills to another constantly in the hope that one combination will work. Do you think that ALA would help in this extreme case and is it available here in the UK? My Step Father is only 45 and the family have been told to prepare for the worst before hea reaches 50. He has a young family and an absolutely divoting wife who is at the end of her tether and needs help.
Posted by Keren Sleigh | Feb 17, 2010 at 6:09 pmThank you in advance
Any advice that can be given for my Step Father would be enormously appreciated as both the family and the doctors seem to have reached a dead end in their efforts to help him and in the meantime, my Step Father continues to suffer in such agony and distress.