Diabetes is a medical condition caused by the body's inability to produce insulin, or due to insulin resistance, preventing the breakdown or metabolism of blood sugar glucose. Various treatment therapies, along with medication, diet and exercise are used in combination to treat diabetes. Alternative and complementary modalities are used as adjunctive treatments for diabetic patients. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, studies have shown that R-alpha lipoic acid has beneficial effects on helping to decrease the levels of blood sugar glucose in diabetes by converting glucose in to energy. R-alpha lipoic acid is available in tablet or liquid formulations as nutritional supplements.
How To Use R-Alpha Lipoic Acid
Step 1
Take two 100 mg tablets of R-alpha lipoic acid with a glass of water four times a day with food for diabetic neuropathy and diabetes symptoms, as recommended by the University of Maryland Medical Center. Add 1 tsp. fish oil to the cup of water to aid absorption and digestion. R-alpha-lipoic acid supplements are available as tablets or capsules in doses of 30 to 100 mg.
Step 2
Fill a bottle dropper with the 20 drops of R-alpha lipoic acid solution and mix with glass of water. Add another 20 drops to the solution. Mix solution well and drink immediately. A full dropper, which is equivalent to twenty drops, contains approximately 100 mg R-alpha lipoic acid. Repeat this process four times a day before or after meals. Add 1 tbsp. fish oil to increase stomach absorption and bioavailability time in the plasma. Take before or after a meal.
Step 3
Fill the bottle dropper with 20 drops of R-alpha lipoic acid liquid formulation and dilute with eight to 10 times the equivalent amount of water for topical use on the skin. Use a cotton cloth and make a cold compress with the solution. Place the compress on the areas affected by the diabetic neuropathy.
Step 4
Eat plenty of foods that naturally contain lipoic acid to the daily diet. Food sources containing lipoic acid are vegetables, such as broccoli, spinach, brussel sprouts and grains and rice bran. Add additional daily R-alpha lipoic acid supplements.
Tips and Warnings
- Use natural flavored water with added electrolytes to mix with the R-alpha lipoic acid to make the drink more palatable and easier to swallow.
- R-alpha lipoic acid can potentiate the risk of hypoglycemic conditions in diabetics taking insulin or diabetic medications. Common side effects can include skin rash, headache, muscular cramps and tingling sensations to the skin. There is an increase risk of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients taking oral insulin or other diabetic medications. There is also an increased risk of biotin metabolism absorption in diabetics taking R-alpha lipoic acid. It can lower the levels of thyroxine hormones in patients taking levothyroxine, a thyroid hormone. Avoid eye contact with R-alpha lipoic acid solution. Consult your medical doctor before starting any supplement therapy or alternative treatments.
Things You'll Need
- R-alpha lipoic tablets
- R-alpha lipoic liquid formulation
- Dropper
- Water
- Fish oil
- Cup
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