Alpha lipoic acid is found in every cell of the human body, from brain tissue to muscle mass. This powerful antioxidant converts glucose, a simple sugar, into energy to enable all essential functions in the body. In naturopathic medicine, practitioners sometimes recommend alpha lipoic acid to treat medical conditions, including cancer, neurological disorders, liver disease and diabetes. Although alpha lipoic acid generally is safe and associated with few side effects, it has not been studied for use in pregnant women.
Uses and Benefits
Alpha lipoic acid offers several potential benefits when used as a natural medicine and nutritional supplement. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, alpha lipoic acid might effectively treat treat diabetic neuropathy, a form of nerve damage caused by unstable blood sugar levels. Some emerging evidence also suggests that it can treat alcohol-related liver disease, or cirrhosis, but more studies are needed to prove this benefit. When used in stroke patients, alpha lipoic acid might help to prevent cell loss and brain damage. Science has not identified any pregnancy-specific benefits of alpha lipoic acid.
Safety in Pregnancy
No studies have evaluated alpha lipoic acid's safety as a medicine or supplement for pregnant women. Although no specific evidence suggests that it is harmful to pregnant women or developing fetuses, there also is no evidence to prove it is safe. Until more is known, the University of Maryland Medical Center urges pregnant and nursing mothers to avoid alpha lipoic acid supplements. Exceptions might exist when a qualified prenatal health care provider, such as a midwife or obstetrician, determines that the benefits of alpha lipoic acid clearly outweigh the theoretical risks.
Toxicity
Current scientific understanding indicates that alpha lipoic acid is nontoxic at all reasonable doses. According to the medical information website Drugs.com, animal tests and human studies have failed to demonstrate any signs of toxicity. People cannot realistically overdose on the supplement, and untainted products will not cause poisoning, but a fetus' developing detoxification systems might not be able to cope with normal doses of alpha lipoic acid crossing the placenta. Until we know how sensitive developing embyros are to this apparently nontoxic product, it is impossible to determine its capacity to harm unborn children.
General Side Effects
Alpha lipoic acid rarely causes side effects. Drugs.com states that "no adverse reactions have been reported" in medical literature, but the University of Maryland Medical Center states that the product occasionally causes rashes. Because alpha lipoic acid can lower blood sugar in people with diabetes, it might cause unsafe drops in blood-glucose levels among those taking drugs that lower blood sugar. During pregnancy and all other stages of life, it is prudent to consult a health care provider before using any nutritional supplement.
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