
March 7, 2004
Complications, Research: Other Research
Question from Hartford, Connecticut, USA:
Is a-lipoic acid research continuing to indicate usefulness in treating diabetic neuropathy? At what dosage? I have seen 600 mg referenced as standard in Germany. Is a-lipoic acid related to folic acid?
Answer:
Reports on the effectiveness of alpha lipoic acid in the treatment of various forms of diabetic neuropathy have been ambivalent as discussed in Nitrosative injury and antioxidant therapy in the management of diabetic neuropathy. Despite some rather enthusiastic accounts especially from Germany, this does not seem to have been the case in the U.S. and, so far, it has not been approved by the FDA. The dose used in Europe was indeed 600mg. It was given intravenously, which, of course, increases its cost significantly. It is NOT related to folic acid.
DOB