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Improve symptoms of low back pain and nerve function The antioxidant alpha lipoic acid turns out to be an interesting and effective supplement. It is involved in multiple functions. As a coenzyme it is involved in the carbohydrate metabolism and the production of ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Lipoic acid is both fat and water soluble and can regenerate antioxidant such as vitamin E, C and glutathione helping to prevent oxidative damage to tissue. It is an effective antioxidant that can scavage free radicals both intra and extra cellular (Packer L, et al, 1995). What is really exciting about lipoic acid is that it has shown to improve nerve function in conditions of neuropathy (nerve dysfunction). Very recently lipoic acid, which is also called thiotic acid, was compared with acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of peripheral neuropathic pain associated with a herniated disc (Memeo L, Loiero M, 2008). This type of pain is usually known as sciatica and it is pain originating from the low back, radiating down the leg. The study was randomized, double-blinded and conducted in a hospital setting. Both acetyl-L-carnitine and lipoic acid produced significant improvements in neuropathy when measured with electromyography after sixty days, but greater improvements were seen with lipoic acid. Lipoic acid also showed significantly greater improvements than acetyl-L-carnitine when measured with the Neuropathy Impairment Score questionnaire, the Neuropathy Symptoms and Change in the Lower Limbs questionnaire and the Total Symptom Score questionnaire. 71% of the patients receiving lipoid acid reported a decreased need for analgesia versus 45.5% of the patients receiving acetyl-L-carnitine. Neuropathic symptoms such as pain, burning, tingling, pricking and numbness can also be produced in cases of diabetes. Lipoic acid has also been investigated for efficiency in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. In a study of neuropathic symptoms of the feet in diabetic patients it was found that 600 mg of lipoic acid taken twice a day for 3 weeks improved symptoms and deficits in these patients without any adverse reactions (Ruhnau KJ, et al, 1999). Research has also documented that in diabetic patients lipoic acid improves insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal after four weeks (Konrad T, et al, 1999, Ja co b S, et al, 1999). This is what a researcher at the University of California listed as neurological benefits of lipoic acid: Improvement of the age-associated decline in memory, improvement of mitochondrial structure and function, inhibition of age-associated increase of oxidative damage, elevation of the levels of antioxidants and restoration of the activity of key enzymes (Liu J, 2008). There are some other facts you need to know about lipoic acid. Lipoic acid is absorbed quickly unless it is in a time released form. It is, however, also removed quickly by the liver. This means that unless a large enough dose is taken at one time, not enough is going to reach the tissue it is supposed to protect. In my experience, a dosage of 600 mg of lipoic acid at one time is necessary for it to reach the targeted tissue. This is also what has been used in research. I also find a quick release form to work better. It seems that the liver is able to remove more of the lipoic acid if it is in a time released form and less gets to the tissue in need of protection. Most of the studies on lipoic acid have used a quick release form and there are also some scientific evidence that more of it is removed by the liver if it is taken in a time released form. To access the original research abstracts, log on to www.TissueRecovery.com and click on the “Tools to help you stay sharp” button and click on alpha lipoic acid. When you click on each reference it will take you directly to the original abstract. You can also order Lipoic EF from our website or call us at 1-800-883-1252.
Wishing you the best of health,
Didrik
References: Packer L, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid as a biological antioxidant. Free Radic Biol Med. 1995 Aug;19(2):227-50. Memeo A, Loiero M. Thioctic Acid and acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of sciatic pain caused by herniated dis: a randomized, double-blind, co mparative study. Clin Drug Investig. 2008;28(8):495-500. Ruhnau KJ, et al. Effects of 3-week oral treatment with the antioxidant thioctic acid (alpha-lipoic acid) in symptomatic diabetic polyneuropathy. Diabet Med. 1999 Dec:16(12):1040-3. Konrad T, et al. Alpha-lipoic acid treatment decreases serum lactate and pyruvate co ncentrations and improves glu co se effectiveness in lean and obese patients with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 1999 Feb;22(2):280-7. Liu J. The effects and mechanisms of mitochondrial nutrient alpha-lipoic acid on improving age-associated mitochondrial and co gnitive dysfunction: an overview. 2008 Jan:33(1):194-203. |
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