Oxidative stress not only directly damages nerve cells but also induces programmed cell death (apoptosis).
Alpha lipoic acid has shown improvements on objective testing of nerve conduction; it is thought this is due to beneficial improvements in blood flow to the nerve and reduced oxidative stress.
Alpha lipoic acid also increased the levels of glutathione; this is a very important endogenous antioxidant. It is also a very powerful scavenger of free radicals in the nervous environment, especially peripheral nerves.
Diabetes is associated with increased production of free radicals and reduced clearance of the same. This leads to endoneurial blood supply damage and oxidative damage of the nerves. Alpha lipoic acid can manage this.
Alpha lipoic acid has the additional benefit of promoting nerve growth factors and stimulating nerve regeneration.
ALA: THE UNIVERSAL ANTIOXIDANT
Alpha lipoic acid was discovered in 1937 but wasn't recognized as the powerful antioxidant it is until the 1980s. It IS the only fat- and water-soluble antioxidant available.
Nutritional supplements provide concentrated sources of this antioxidant. It may also be found in broccoli, potatoes, liver and meat.
Diabetics on alpha lipoic acid have less pain, paresthesias and numbness.
Infusions can even improve microcirculation of the nerves.
There have been a number of studies demonstrating conclusively that alpha lipoic acid helps with diabetic neuropathy.
600mg orally each day is the typical dose.
Some people will have nausea if they take 1200mg. Alpha lipoic acid has also shown an ability to reduce serum levels of inflammation. It also has an anti-thrombotic effect.
Indeed, alpha lipoic acid causes reduction of fibrinogen factor VII and von Willebrand factor in animal studies. There is a very favorable safety profile of this natural supplement.
Sources:
Ziegler et al. Oral treatment with ALA improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy. the SYDNET 2 trial. Diabetes Care 2006. 29:2365-2370
Ziegler et al. ALA in the treatment of diabetic peripheral and cardiac autonomic neuropathy. Diabetes. 1997. 46(supp 2) S62-66
Redjanovic et al. The ALADIN II study group: Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant thioctic acid (ALA) a two-year multicenter randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial. Free Radic res 1999. 31:171-179
Ziegler et al. ALADIN I study Group. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic neuropathy with the anti-oxidant ALA: a 3-week multicenter randomized controlled trial (ALADIN Study). Diabetologia 1995. 38:1425-1433
Sola M et al. Imbesartan and ALA improve endothelial function and reduce markers of inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: results of the Imbesartan and Lipoic acid in endothelial dysfunction (ISLAND) study. Circulation 2005. 111:343-348
HAVE YOU CHECKED OUT WELL THEORY'S ALPHA-LIPOIC ACID SUPPLEMENT?
Dr. Meredith Warner loves Alpha-lipoic Acid for those with Peripheral Neuropathy to help with the pain, numbness, and tingling!
This helps you ward off harmful inflammation & oxidative stress, which can damage nerves that lead to neuropathic pain.
Order your first bottle today!