Diabetic peripheral neuropathy:
Alpha-lipoic acid and diabetic peripheral neuropathy:
There is evidence to suggest that alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), an antioxidant, reduces neuropathic pain in patients with diabetes. Participants in a study were randomized to IV administration of either ALA (600 mg) (n = 60) or placebo (n = 60) for 5 days/week for a total of 14 treatments. At the end of the study, the total symptom score in patients taking ALA had improved by an average of 4.8 points, compared to an improvement of only 1.8 points in the placebo group. Compared to the placebo group, the treatment group had evidence of significant improvement in pain, numbness while asleep, prickling, neuropathy signs, and overall measure of effectiveness. (20)