Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) and diabetes:
Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) may benefit diabetes patients by improving insulin sensitivity. A small trial of oral ALA was found to increase insulin sensitivity in people with type 2 diabetes. Researchers treated 24 patients over four weeks with either 600 mg twice daily of ALA (n=12) or placebo (n=12). At the end of the study, the insulin sensitivity (Is) of the diabetics was significantly improved (M from 3.202 to 5.95 mg/kg/min, Is from 4.706 to 7.673 mg/kg/min per mIU/l x 100). The difference was not statistically significant between the treated patients and the placebo group after the end of the period. (5)
