By Dr. Warren
Edited by Meghan Feir Walker
Have you been struggling with different types of neuropathy, such as pain, burning, tingling, numbness, and other strange nerve-related sensations? You’re not alone. In our clinic, we often help patients suffering from these painful and disturbing symptoms. This is why we need to address alpha-lipoic acid, a mighty antioxidant.
Can alpha-lipoic acid help neuropathy? Read on to find out more.
Key Takeaways:
- Alpha lipoic acid for neuropathy supports nerve health, circulation, and antioxidant activity.
- Alpha lipoic acid helps support antioxidant recycling and cellular energy, which may benefit overall nerve function and balance.
- This can be a helpful antioxidant for Lyme patients suffering from neuropathy.
What is alpha-lipoic acid?
One of the micronutrients essential for your body to function well is alpha-lipoic acid. Also known as α-lipoic acid and thioctic acid, ALA is an organosulfur compound derived from caprylic acid. ALA enhances the production of glutathione, the master antioxidant that aids in tissue building and repair, helps create chemicals and proteins, and is imperative for a healthy immune system.
Synthesized in the mitochondria, ALA assists in the breakdown of enzymatic nutrients and helps produce energy through its cellular-level functions. It’s been shown to aid in the body’s ability to recover from oxidative stress, support liver detoxification, and help balance blood sugar levels.
Antioxidants are known for their protective qualities against oxidative stress and damage to the body’s cells. Another way ALA protects the body is in its ability to help repair nerve damage.
How can alpha-lipoic acid help neuropathy?
Many studies suggest that ALA can help the body use its own insulin to lower blood sugar in patients with type 2 diabetes. It does this by enhancing nitric oxide-mediated endothelium-dependent vasodilation. This improves circulation in patients with polyneuropathy. This also benefits patients who have neuropathy symptoms from other conditions, such as Lyme disease.
Because of its ability to help repair nerve damage, Europeans have been utilizing the power of ALA for years to help reduce symptoms of neuropathy, such as burning, tingling, numbing, and pain.
This powerful antioxidant’s benefits don’t end there. You can use it to regenerate cells for nerve repair and help improve vitamin C, vitamin E, and CoQ10 levels, along with other nutrients and antioxidants.
Sometimes, when we see a big micronutrient depletion in patients, I can use ALA to regenerate multiple nutrients, rather than superdosing every single one.
Within our clinic, we treat many patients with Lyme disease and other tick-borne infections, and nerve symptoms are extremely common among this group. Over the years, we have seen patients benefit greatly from using ALA for their nerve symptoms.
The importance of micronutrients
Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. Every cell, organ, tissue, hormone, and enzymatic reaction in your body depends on vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids. Without enough of these vital nutrients, your body wouldn’t be able to rebuild, repair, and recover.
This is why it’s vital to test your micronutrient levels. You need to see what micronutrients are depleted or aren’t at optimal levels.
A functional nutrition approach focuses on how these nutrients work together to support overall wellness and optimal function.
While it’s not common to be deficient in ALA, low levels can cause worsening neuropathy and metabolic complications, such as difficulty managing glucose levels and vascular problems.
Why micronutrients can become depleted
There are various reasons why you can become deficient in micronutrients.
Humans used to be able to get most of their vital nutrients from food alone. But in our world today, crops aren’t as nutrient-rich as they once were because much of the soil is depleted of vitamins and minerals.
While soil depletion is a serious concern, the most common reasons we become deficient in micronutrients are poor digestion and absorption of nutrients from food, and not eating healthy foods in the first place. Impaired absorption is often caused by infections, parasites, or chronic inflammation.
When our diets (such as the standard American diet) are highly processed, packed with sugar, low in protein, and full of seed oils and simple carbs, the amount of micronutrients we get from food won’t meet our body’s demands. Having a poor diet like this often leads to conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and chronic inflammation, which can then lead to other serious health conditions.
Try to focus on nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, protein, and healthy fats. We recommend testing micronutrient levels every six months when experiencing health problems to ensure your body gets the support it needs to get strong.
To learn more about micronutrients, click here.
Why Quality Matters When Choosing Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Not all alpha-lipoic acid supplements are created the same, and quality can vary significantly depending on how the ingredient is sourced and processed. Alpha-lipoic acid is naturally derived from plant-based sources such as potatoes. However, the methods used to extract and manufacture it can differ widely between suppliers.
Some production methods rely on chemical solvents during extraction. While this can lower production costs, it may also raise questions about overall purity and how the final product is refined. Other manufacturers use more advanced processes, such as water-based extraction methods, which are designed to support a cleaner end product without the use of harsh solvents.
Because of these differences, prices can vary significantly between products. Lower-cost options may reflect differences in sourcing, processing, and quality standards. Choosing a high-quality supplement from a trusted source can be an important part of supporting your overall wellness goals, especially when consistency and purity matter.
Our recommended product: ALA Pure
ALA, or thioctic acid, is one of the most versatile antioxidants available. Supportive of a wide variety of health-related issues, ALA recharges vitamin E, vitamin C, glutathione, and CoQ10, and directly quenches reactive oxygen species (ROS).
Since it has water-soluble, fat-soluble, and sulfhydryl properties, it can be utilized by many different bodily tissues in a variety of ways.
For our patients, I recommend NutriRestore’s ALA Pure. It uses ALA’s unique chemical properties to support blood sugar balance already within normal levels.
This formulation of lipoic acid contains 300 mg of ALA and 300 mcg of biotin to protect against loss of biotin as a result of the competition between the two.
ALA Pure:
- Provides fat-soluble and water-soluble antioxidant protection
- Protects the neurovascular system from free radical damage
- Supports blood sugar balance already within normal levels
- Regenerates vitamins C and E
- Increases intracellular glutathione levels
In our clinic, I generally recommend taking 1-2 capsules twice per day, but please ask your healthcare professional what dose is right for you.
ALA Pure does not contain gluten, corn, yeast, artificial colors, or flavors.
Please note: If you are pregnant or nursing, consult your physician before taking this product.
Safety, Side Effects, and Interactions
Alpha-lipoic acid is generally well tolerated when used appropriately, but like any supplement, it is important to use it thoughtfully and with awareness of your individual needs.
Because alpha-lipoic acid can influence how the body manages blood sugar, individuals who are already supporting healthy glucose levels should be mindful when adding it to their routine. Monitoring how you feel and working with a qualified practitioner can help ensure it fits well within your plan.
It is also important to consider overall nutrient status. For example, certain nutrient imbalances may influence how well alpha-lipoic acid is tolerated or utilized by the body.
As with any supplement, those who are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or managing ongoing health concerns should consult with a qualified healthcare provider before beginning use.
Taking a personalized approach helps ensure that alpha-lipoic acid is used in a way that best supports your overall wellness goals.
Summary
In the past year, I have seen extremely positive results and received great feedback from patients using alpha-lipoic acid for neurological antioxidant problems.
Furthermore, if you are struggling with blood sugar levels, liver detoxification protocols, or nerve problems of any kind, then ALA may be a terrific supplement to add to your arsenal. It can nourish your liver, help your nerves regenerate antioxidants, and improve your health.
Another important reminder is to test your micronutrient levels if you’re experiencing neuropathy (burning, tingling, numbness, ear ringing, etc.). ALA can potentially help lessen your nerve problems by supporting vital functions in your body, but it’s important to know what your micronutrient levels are so the root cause(s) of your problems can be clearly identified.
If you are looking for a more personalized approach, request a consultation to get a personalized plan tailored specifically to your body and your wellness goals.
To summarize this article:
- Micronutrients include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
- Every cell, organ, tissue, hormone, and enzymatic reaction in your body depends on vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and essential fatty acids.
- Without enough of these vital nutrients, your body wouldn’t be able to rebuild, repair, and recover.
- Test your micronutrient levels to see which micronutrients are depleted or are not at optimal levels.
- ALA is an antioxidant. Also known as lipoic acid, α-lipoic acid, and thioctic acid, ALA is derived from caprylic acid.
- This antioxidant enhances the production of glutathione, the master antioxidant that aids in tissue building and repair, helps create chemicals and proteins, and is imperative for a healthy immune system.
- ALA helps produce energy through its cellular-level functions.
- ALA aids in the body’s ability to recover from oxidative stress, supports liver detoxification, and helps balance blood sugar levels.
- It also helps recycle vitamin C, vitamin E, and CoQ10, along with other nutrients and antioxidants.
- Lastly, we recommend ALA Pure*, which provides fat-soluble and water-soluble antioxidant protection, protects the neurovascular system from free radical damage, supports blood sugar balance already within normal levels, regenerates vitamins C and E, and increases intracellular glutathione levels.
I hope this information will be helpful to you as you continue on your journey toward health and healing! Click here to watch our corresponding video on alpha-lipoic acid.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
References
- Zempleni J, Trusty TA, Mock DM. Lipoic acid reduces the activities of biotin-dependent carboxylases in rat liver. J Nutr. 1997 Sep;127(9):1776-81 [PMID: 9278559].
- Pershadsingh HA. Alpha-lipoic acid: physiologic mechanisms and indications for the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Expert Opin Investig Drugs. 2007 Mar;16(3):291- 302 [PMID: 17302524].
- Sola S, et al. Irbesartan and lipoic acid improve endothelial function and reduce markers of inflammation in the metabolic syndrome: results of the Irbesartan and Lipoic Acid in Endothelial Dysfunction (ISLAND) study. Circulation 2005;111:343-48.
- Lee, WJ, Song KH, Koh EH, Won JC, Kim HS, Park HS, Kim MS, Kim SW, Lee KU, Park JY. Alpha-lipoic acid increases insulin sensitivity by activating AMPK in skeletal muscle. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2005; 332: 885-891.
- Ruderman NB, Saha AK, Kraegen EW. Minireview:
malonyl CoA, AMP-activated protein kinase, and adiposity. Endocrinology 2003;144: 5166-5171. - Jacob S, Ruus P, Hermann R, et al. Oral administration of RAC-alpha-lipoic acid modulates insulin sensitivity in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus: a placebo-controlled pilot trial. Free Radic Biol Med 1999; Aug 27(3- 4):309-14.
- Filina AA, Davydova NG, Endrikhovskii SN, Shamshinova AM. [Lipoic acid as a means of metabolic therapy of open-angle glaucoma] In Russian. Vestn Oftalmol 1995; 111(4):6-8.
