Ask The Expert
Medications

Alpha-lipoic acid, also called thioctic acid, is an antioxidant compound that has been and is still being investigated in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. It also may improve insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes.

There has been a lot of press in the past few years about free radicals and antioxidants. Diabetes Self-Management, in both the January/February 2001 and September/October 2001 issues, explained that the body produces damaging compounds called free radicals during the process of normal metabolism. High blood glucose levels appear to increase the production of free radicals as well. Although free radicals occur in the body naturally, they are toxic and are believed to play a role in the development of diabetes-related complications such as retinopathy, neuropathy, and cardiovascular disease, as well as other conditions such as cancer and aging. Antioxidants are vitamins and compounds that are able to neutralize or stop free radicals. Certain compounds found in fruits and vegetables, such as vitamin E and beta-carotene, act as antioxidants.

An article in Diabetes In Control reported that alpha lipoic acid has been previously used in Germany and other European countries to help reduce neuropathy. This article reported on researchers in the San Francisco Bay Area who showed that alpha-lipoic acid improved insulin sensitivity in type 2 patients.

Some studies reported that some people may respond more than others, and intravenous alpha-lipoic acid may be more effective than oral. Information is not available on the long-term effectiveness of this treatment.

At this time, alpha-lipoic acid has not been proven effective for treatment of diabetic neuropathy or for insulin resistance. Additional studies are underway.