Dr. Gary’s Nutritional Library

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) has long been championed by Dr. Lester Packer of Berkeley, California, for the prevention and treatment of complications of diabetes. Examples are nerve damage and kidney disease. It is a natural antioxidant, one of the strongest for fighting inflammation in our bodies. It is sometimes known as thioctic acid, and it restores the activity of other antioxidants in the body such as vitamins C and E.

Peripheral neuropathy is a common complication of diabetes, especially involving the long nerves of the arms and legs. The hands and feet may become numb, especially in the fingers and toes, and there can be weakness. The exact connection with diabetes is uncertain, but it is thought to be due to prolonged high blood sugars (hyperglycemia). Treatment with ALA can be preventive and is therapeutic. Benefits are seen at 600 mg/day and 1200 mg/day. However, side effects may become apparent at 1200 mg/day.

Kidney damage is a very common complication of diabetes which has not been as well studied as peripheral neuropathy. The first sign of kidney damage is protein in the urine (proteinuria). This can lead to kidney damage if not properly treated. Proteinuria has been shown to be reduced in many diabetics by treatment with ALA. Research on ALA and kidney disease which has been done at this time has been primarily on rats preliminary to human studies.

ALA is available in health food stores in a variety of doses. The most common daily total dosage is 600 mg. Food sources include the following: spinach, broccoli, green peas, Brussel sprouts, yeast, beef, kidney, and heart.

NOTE: Dr. Lester Packer of the University of California has written an informative book titled The Antioxidant Miracle, as well as 700 scientific articles and 70 books.

To read the author’s abstract of the article, click on the author’s title of the article. Then, to read the full article, click on the full text icon.

Rainbow Grocery has the following products: Alpha lipoic acid.

PMID: 21941444.

Summary #975. nutrientmedicine

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