Alpha-Lipoic Acid

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Clinical Report Summary

Alpha-lipoic acid is most associated with lowering blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes, treating nerve pain or damage associated with diabetes or cancer chemotherapy, and promoting cellular health by combating oxidative stress; studies especially confirm ALA's effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels (1-5).  The best evidence supports the antioxidant's use intravenously, but evidence also supports its benefit when taken orally.  While professionals generally agree that more research is necessary to clearly define alpha-lipoic acid's effects, they also agree that ALA is safe to take for up to two years in recommended doses.  In treating blood sugar or diabetic nerve pain (neuropathy), adult patients are generally prescribed 800-1800 milligrams daily, but in divided doses.  One study treated doxorubicin-associated cadiotoxic patients with 100 milligrams per kilogram, but results could not be considered conclusive (6). Patients should avoid alpha-lipoic acid if they are allergic to ALA.  Caution is advised for patients who are taking medication that lowers blood sugar levels or that treats thiamine deficiency or thyroid disease.  Research also suggests that alpha-lipoic acid, when given with doxorubicin or adriamycin, provides a protective effect against cardiotoxicity (6,7).

Alpha-Lipoic Acid Overview

Alpha-lipoic acid is a potent and versatile antioxidant that helps protect the body from the oxidative damage of aging and exercise.  It also plays a crucial role in helping the body produce energy and therefore supports energy metabolism and enhances glucose uptake activity.  While the body produces enough alpha-lipoic acid for basic energy body functions, ALA supplementation through vegetables, meat or medication can boost its effect in helping to neutralize free radicals that harm the body since the number of free radicals in a body depends upon an individual's diet and environment.  Research on alpha-lipoic acid is still in its early stages, but experts have recognized ALA's importance since the 1950s (8).  Evidence is most often associated with alpha-lipoic acid's ability to lower blood sugar, but studies have also touched upon ALA's effect upon neuropathy, cardiotoxicity, glaucoma, and radiation exposure.

 
Alpha-Lipoic Acid References

1. Jacob S, Ruus P, Hermann R, et al. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Free Radic Biol Med 1999;27(3-4):309-314.
2. Reljanovic M, Reichel G, Rett K, et al. Treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid): a two year multicenter randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial (ALADIN II). Alpha Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy. Free Radic Res 1999;31(3):171-179.
3. Ruhnau KJ, Meissner HP, Finn JR, et al. Effects of 3-week oral treatment with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid) in symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabet Med 1999;16(12):1040-1043.
4. Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: a 7-month multicenter randomized controlled trial (ALADIN III Study). ALADIN III Study Group. Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy. Diabetes Care 1999;22(8):1296-1301.
5. Ametov AS, Barinov A, Dyck PJ, et al. The sensory symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy are improved with alpha-lipoic acid: the SYDNEY trial. Diabetes Care 2003;Mar, 26(3):770-776.
6. Al-Majed AA, Gdo AM, Al-Shabanah OA, Mansour MA. Alpha-lipoic acid ameliorates myocardial toxicity induced by doxorubicin. Pharmacol Res 2002;Dec, 46(6):499-503.
7. Balachandar AV, Malarkodi KP, Varalakshmi P. Protective role of DL alpha-lipoic acid against adriamycin-induced cardiac lipid peroxidation. Hum Exp Toxicol 2003;May, 22(5):249-254.
8. Alpha-Lipoic Acid. UC Berkeley Wellness Guide to Dietary Supplements. 2007. Health Letter Associates. 21 Aug. 2007. < http://www.wellnessletter.com/html/ds/dsAlphaLipoicAcid.php>.