Chronically high blood sugar -- a condition called diabetes -- affects nearly 26 million people in the Unites States, according to the American Diabetes Association. If you're one of these people, you may benefit from taking a natural supplement called alpha-lipoic acid, also simply called lipoic acid. Lipoic acid is an antioxidant produced naturally by your body, but is also available as an over-the-counter supplement. Before using lipoic acid as a way to control your diabetes, seek additional guidance from your medical provider.
Benefits
As an antioxidant, lipoic acid may be particularly beneficial for people who have diabetic neuropathy, a complication of uncontrolled diabetes caused by extensive nerve damage that results in chronic pain, burning, itching, numbness and tingling. Treatment with lipoic acid can help protect the nerves and cells from oxidative damage. Daily treatment with this supplement may also help regulate blood sugar levels by improving the way in which your body responds to insulin and uses sugar.
Recommended Dosage
Your medical provider is the only person qualified to recommend a specific dosage of lipoic acid to help you manage your diabetes. For this reason, consult your physician before taking this supplement. Health professionals with the University of Maryland Medical Center report that people with diabetes can take up to 800 mg of alpha-lipoic acid daily. Typically, this 800-mg dose is divided into smaller doses of 200 to 400 mg, which you can then take throughout the day. Depending upon your doctor's recommendations, you may receive lipoic acid orally or by intravenous injection.
Adverse Effects
When used appropriately, lipoic acid usually doesn't cause adverse side effects. In certain cases, a mild skin rash may develop. People with diabetes who take lipoic acid are also at risk of developing a significant drop in their blood sugar levels -- an adverse effect called hypoglycemia, the University of Michigan Health System warns. Contact your medical provider if you develop hypoglycemia symptoms, such as headache, dizziness, sweating, extreme hunger, fatigue or pale skin, while taking lipoic acid.
Warnings and Contraindications
Treatment with lipoic acid may deplete the amount of vitamin B-1 in your body. For this reason, people who are deficient in this vitamin, also called thiamine, shouldn't take lipoic acid unless under the care of a doctor. In addition, avoid taking this supplement if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, as the safety of lipoic acid supplementation during pregnancy is not known.
References
- American Diabetes Association; Diabetes Statistics - Total Prevalence of Diabetes; Jan. 26, 2011
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Alpha-lipoic Acid; March 14, 2009
- "Nutrition Reviews;" Alpha-Lipoic Acid Supplementation and Diabetes; U. Singh and I. Jialal; November 2008
- University of Michigan Health System; Alpha Lipoic Acid; Dec. 23, 2009
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