Written by Jessica Patella, ND. Alpha Lipoic acid at 600mg per day reduced four major pain symptoms in those with diabetic neuropathy by 62%.
Neuropathies are a loss of nerve function and are the most common complication of diabetes, affecting nearly 50% (1). Neuropathies can decrease quality of life due to pain and interfere with sleep (1, 2). However, it is difficult to treat with pharmaceutical drugs, which is why many search for natural options (2).
The antioxidant alpha lipoic acid has been shown to reduce the pain associated with neuropathy in recent research (2). Alpha-lipoic acid addresses the underlying cause of diabetic neuropathy, by reducing the oxidative stress caused by the excess sugar in the blood (2).
The research study on alpha-lipoic acid included 181 participants diagnosed with diabetes and neuropathy (distal symmetric polyneuropathy) (2). The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups receiving either a single daily dose of 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid, 1,200 mg alpha-lipoic acid, 1,800 mg alpha-lipoic acid or a placebo (2). All participants were on the treatment protocol for a total of five weeks (2).
The Total Symptom Score (TSS) was used to measure presence, severity and duration of the four main neuropathy symptoms: stabbing pain, burning pain, paresthesea and numbness (2). The TSS was assessed at baseline and each week of the five-week treatment. The TSS includes 15 questions to assess neuropathy and is based on a range of 0-15.
A total of 12 participants withdrew from the study due to adverse side effects: 1 in the placebo group, 5 in the 1,200 mg alpha-lipoic group and 6 in the 1,800 mg alpha-lipoic group (2). The side effects included nausea, vomiting and vertigo (2). None of the participants taking 600 mg alpha-lipoic acid withdrew from the study (2).
The TSS overall was significantly reduced by 62% in the 600 mg, 50% in the 1,200 mg group and 56% in the 1,800 mg alpha-lipoic group by week 5, although significant reductions were seen as early as week 2 in all the treatment groups (P<0.05) and by week 1 in the 1,800 mg alpha-lipoic acid group (2).
When comparing baseline to week 5, significant reductions were seen in stabbing pain and burning pain for 600mg (TSS change of 1.40 +/- 1.15 and 1.32 +/- 1.07), 1,200 mg (TSS change of 1.56 +/- 1.07 and 1.09 +/- 1.19) and 1,800 mg (TSS change of 1.46 +/- 1.20 and 1.15 +/- 1.41) respectively (P<0.05). There were no significant changes seen in paresthesia or numbness at any dosage level (2).
In conclusion, alpha-lipoic acid was associated with improved neuropathy symptoms in diabetic patients test groups, specifically stabbing and burning pain (2). A significant improvement was noted after 1 week with a dose of 1,800 mg alpha lipoic acid and after 2 weeks with 600mg and 1,200 mg. Considering clinical improvement and lack of adverse side effects, 600mg alpha-lipoic acid once daily seems to be the most appropriate dosage (2). Studies determining the long-term effects of alpha-lipoic acid on diabetic neuropathies still need to be conducted.
Source: Ziegler, Dan, et al. “Oral treatment with α-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy.” Diabetes care 29.11 (2006): 2365-2370.
© 2006 by the American Diabetes Association.
Jessica Patella, ND, is a naturopathic physician specializing in nutrition and homeopathic medicine and offers a Holistic approach to health. Visit her website at http://www.awarenesswellness.com/.
References:
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- Diabetic Neuropathy- posted on the Medscape website.
- Ziefler D, et al. Oral Treatment with Alpha-lipoic Acid Improves Symptomatic Diabetic Polyneuropathy. 2006 Diabetes Care 29: 2365-70.
