Alpha Lipoic Acid Protects Against Diabetes Complications

If you are dealing with diabetes, it is imperative that you take a potent daily multivitamin and mineral supplement. This will give you the nutritional foundation you need to help manage your diabetes. Antioxidants such as coenzyme Q10, acetyl-L-carnitine, and n-acetyl-cysteine are also important because they help scavenge the free radicals and clear up the oxidative stress caused by the diabetic condition. But if I had to choose just one antioxidant for people trying to manage diabetes, it would be alpha lipoic acid (ALA).

ALA has the unique ability to work in both water- and fat-soluble mediums and to regenerate vitamins C and E, and other antioxidants. Furthermore, it actually improves the diabetic condition by enhancing glucose uptake, increasing insulin sensitivity, and protecting against beta cell destruction.

Most important are ALA’s effects on diabetes complications. Studies show that daily doses of 600-1,200 mg of ALA reduce pain, burning, numbness, tingling, and other symptoms of neuropathy. Benefits of this supplement have also been demonstrated for diabetes-related eye, kidney, and cardiovascular diseases.