A review of studies found that among diabetes patients with peripheral neuropathy, a problem with the nerves that can produce pain, loss of sensation, and an inability to control muscles, alpha lipoic acid was found to significantly reduce neuropathic pain. Alpha lipoic acid, a fatty acid, is also an antioxidant found naturally inside every cell in the body. It’s needed by the body to produce the energy for the body’s normal functions. Researchers found that alpha lipoic acid was associated with an average total symptom scores reduction of 2.26. Specifically, when given orally the reduction was 1.78 and when administered by IV the reduction increased to 2.81. There is also evidence that alpha lipoic acid decreases neuropathic pain when given for a period of 3 weeks at a dose of 600 mg/day (grade of recommendation A). However, it is unclear whether the benefits seen after the oral administration of alpha lipoic acid over 3-5 weeks at a dose of >600 mg/day are clinically relevant. (22)
