- Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is made naturally in the body and may protect against cell damage in a variety of conditions. Food sources rich in alpha lipoic acid include spinach, broccoli, and yeast.
- Alpha lipoic acid, known as the "universal oxidant," has been used for decades in Europe, especially Germany, to treat nerve conditions, including nerve damage resulting from poorly controlled diabetes.
- There is strong evidence that alpha lipoic acid may help treat type II diabetes and neuropathy. According to a survey of 685 herbalists, alpha lipoic acid was one of the 10 most frequently recommended dietary supplements due to its efficacy in reducing high blood sugar levels.
- There is not enough data to support the use of alpha lipoic acid in Amanita poisoning, which has reportedly been a common practice for many years.
- The therapeutic use of alpha lipoic acid is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or corresponding regulatory agencies in other countries.
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ingredients
Alpha-lipoic acid (1,2-dithiolane-3-pentanoic acid)
Contents
- Ametov AS, Barinov A, Dyck PJ, et al. The sensory symptoms of diabetic polyneuropathy are improved with alpha-lipoic acid: the SYDNEY trial. Diabetes Care 2003;Mar, 26(3):770-776.
View Abstract - Bondy SC, Yang YE, Walsh TJ, et al. Dietary modulation of age-related changes in cerebral pro-oxidant status. Neurochem Int 2002;Feb, 40(2):123-130.
View Abstract - Bruckner I, Bustan C, Adamescu E, et al. Diabetic neuropathy--choices of treatment. Rom J Intern Med. 2002;40(1-4):53-60.
View Abstract - Chang JW, Lee EK, Kim TH, et al. Effects of alpha-lipoic acid on the plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine in diabetic end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis: a pilot study. Am J Nephrol. 2007;27(1):70-4.
View Abstract - Chidlow G, Schmidt KG, Wood JP, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid protects the retina against ischemia-reperfusion. Neuropharmacology 2002;Nov, 43(6):1015-1025.
View Abstract - Cho KJ, Moon HE, Moini H, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid inhibits adipocyte differentiation by regulating pro-adipogenic transcription factors via mitogen-activated protein kinase pathways. J Biol Chem 2003;Sep 12, 278(37):34823-34833.
View Abstract - Dunschede F, Erbes K, Kircher A, et al. Reduction of ischemia reperfusion injury after liver resection and hepatic inflow occlusion by alpha-lipoic acid in humans. World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Nov 14;12(42):6812-7.
View Abstract - Femiano F, Gombos F, Scully C. Burning mouth syndrome: the efficacy of lipoic acid on subgroups. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2004 Nov;18(6):676-8.
View Abstract - Kamenova P. Improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus after oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid. Hormones (Athens). 2006 Oct-Dec;5(4):251-8.
View Abstract - Tang J, Wingerchuk DM, Crum BA, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid may improve symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy. Neurologist. 2007 May;13(3):164-7.
View Abstract - Tankova T, Cherninkova S, Koev D. Treatment for diabetic mononeuropathy with alpha-lipoic acid. Int J Clin Pract. 2005 Jun;59(6):645-50.
View Abstract - Thom E. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study on the clinical efficacy of oral treatment with DermaVite on ageing symptoms of the skin. J Int Med Res. 2005 May-Jun;33(3):267-72.
View Abstract - Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, et al. Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial. Diabetes Care. 2006 Nov;29(11):2365-70.
View Abstract - Ziegler D, Schatz H, Conrad F, et al. Effects of treatment with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid on cardiac autonomic neuropathy in NIDDM patients: a 4-month randomized controlled multicenter trial (DEKAN Study). Deutsche Kardiale Autonome Neuropathie. Diabetes Care 1997;20(3):369-373.
View Abstract - Ziegler D, Hanefeld M, Ruhnau KJ, et al. Treatment of symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy with the antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid: a 7-month multicenter randomized controlled trial (ALADIN III Study). ALADIN III Study Group. Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy. Diabetes Care 1999;22(8):1296-1301.
View Abstract
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