Alpha Lipoic Acid Studied for Peripheral Nerve Function

In a recently published clinical trial, alpha lipoic acid was shown to enhance nerve function in subjects with imbalanced blood sugar metabolism. Alpha lipoic acid is a potent antioxidant that scavenges free radicals and regenerates other antioxidants in the body.

The study included 460 subjects with imbalanced blood sugar metabolism that were also experiencing less than optimal feeling in the extremities. The subjects received either 600 mg daily of alpha lipoic acid or placebo for 4 years. Subjects were evaluated with neurophysiologic tests, nerve conduction studies, quantitative sensory tests, and on various scales assessing nerve function and discomfort at the beginning of the study and again after 4 years of supplementation.

The study showed that, compared to the beginning of the study, the subjects who received alpha lipoic acid had greater change than the placebo group in the standardized nerve function and comfort scales, including improvements in muscular weakness. More subjects in the alpha lipoic acid group demonstrated clinically meaningful enhancement of nerve function with fewer subjects showing progression of suboptimal peripheral nerve function compared to the placebo group. Global assessment of treatment tolerability and discontinuations of the study due to lack of tolerability did not differ between the placebo and alpha lipoic acid groups.

The researchers stated that four-year supplementation of alpha lipoic acid resulted in a clinically meaningful neurological enhancement and was well-tolerated.

Reference:

Ziegler D, Low PA, Litchy WJ, Boulton AJ, Vinik AI, Freeman R, Samigullin R, Tritschler H, Munzel U, Maus J, Schütte K, Dyck PJ. Efficacy and Safety of Antioxidant Treatment With {alpha}-Lipoic Acid Over 4 Years in Diabetic Polyneuropathy: The NATHAN 1 Trial. Diabetes Care. 2011 Jul 25. Published Online Ahead of Print.