Here is some interesting info on ALA and its application to various distal symmetric polyneuropathic presentations such as stabbing, burning, tingling, prickling and numbness of the feet as published in a German-based study. See abstract below.
Has anyone had any success using ALA against these awful symptoms that are widespread amongst those with Lyme?
Twelve German, Russian, American and Israeli researchers recently conducted a multicenter, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to examine the effects of alpha lipoic acid (ALA) on neuropathic symptoms in type II diabetic patients.
The summary of their methods, findings and conclusions can be found in the November, 2006, issue of Diabetes Care.
During the trial, 181 patients in Russia and Israel received daily oral doses of ALA or a placebo for five weeks. The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline of the Total Symptom Score (TSS), including measurements of stabbing pain, burning pain, paresthesia (tingling or pricking), and numbness of the feet.
In addition to demonstrating an improvement in TSS with ALA doses of 600 mg to 1800 mg per day, the research also identified 600 mg as the dose with the optimum risk-to-benefit ratio. The authors make note of a low incidence of side effects.
Oral treatment with alpha-lipoic acid improves symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy: the SYDNEY 2 trial.
Ziegler D, Ametov A, Barinov A, Dyck PJ, Gurieva I, Low PA, Munzel U, Yakhno N, Raz I, Novosadova M, Maus J, Samigullin R.
FRCPE, Deutsche Diabetes-Klinik, Deutsches Diabetes-Zentrum, Leibniz-Institut an der Heinrich-Heine-Universitat, Auf'm Hennekamp 65, 40225 Dusseldorf, Germany. [email protected]
Diabetes Care 29:2365-2370, 2006 DOI: 10.2337/dc06-1216 � 2006 by the American Diabetes Association
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this trial was to evaluate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid [ALA] on positive sensory symptoms and neuropathic deficits in diabetic patients with distal symmetric polyneuropathy [DSP].
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS:
In this multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 181 diabetic patients in Russia and Israel received once-daily oral doses of 600 mg [n = 45] [ALA600], 1,200 mg [n = 47] [ALA1200], and 1,800 mg [ALA1800] of ALA [n = 46] or placebo [n = 43] for 5 weeks after a 1-week placebo run-in period.
The primary outcome measure was the change from baseline of the Total Symptom Score [TSS], including stabbing pain, burning pain, paresthesia, and asleep numbness of the feet. Secondary end points included individual symptoms of TSS, Neuropathy Symptoms and Change [NSC] score, Neuropathy Impairment Score (NIS), and patients' global assessment of efficacy.
RESULTS:
Mean TSS did not differ significantly at baseline among the treatment groups and on average decreased by 4.9 points [51%] in ALA600, 4.5 [48%] in ALA1200, and 4.7 [52%] in ALA1800 compared with 2.9 points [32%] in the placebo group [all P < 0.05 vs. placebo]. The corresponding response rates [>/=50% reduction in TSS] were 62, 50, 56, and 26%, respectively.
Significant improvements favoring all three ALA groups were also noted for stabbing and burning pain, the NSC score, and the patients' global assessment of efficacy. The NIS was numerically reduced. Safety analysis showed a dose-dependent increase in nausea, vomiting, and vertigo.
CONCLUSIONS:
Oral treatment with ALA for 5 weeks improved neuropathic symptoms and deficits in patients with DSP. An oral dose of 600 mg once daily appears to provide the optimum risk-to-benefit ratio.
PMID: 17065669 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]
Posted by TerryK (Member # 8552) on :
I have been taking alpha lipoic acid 100 mg 2X per day for years for blood sugar but didn't notice any improvement in my burning feet or hands. About 6 months ago I raised the dose to 600 mg 1X per day but I don't feel that it helped with the burning. Abx has helped the burning quite a lot.
My naturopathic doctor was concerned with a dose of 600 because it can mobilize metals. It's fine for me now because I'm on a metal binder but be careful if you decide to take it at that dose.
Terry
Posted by BartonFink (Member # 10818) on :
quote:My naturopathic doctor was concerned with a dose of 600 because it can mobilize metals. It's fine for me now because I'm on a metal binder but be careful if you decide to take it at that dose.
Terry [/QB]
Hi Terry
Yes I have heard about this warning about ALA too.
Just curious: which binder are you using? Any amalgams in the mouth?