More Than Pins and Needles You know that tingling sensation you get when your leg "falls asleep"? Imagine if that tingling gradually subsided until your leg became completely numb. Or imagine the opposite: a simple tingling that slowly turns into a debilitating pain. Those are just two ways that nerve damage caused by diabetic neuropathy can be expressed. An HSI member named Arlene writes: "I would appreciate any information you can provide on how to control diabetic neuropathy pain in my feet & legs." Arlene might benefit from an antioxidant supplement called alpha lipoic acid (ALA). In 2003, Mayo Clinic researchers examined the effects of ALA on 120 subjects (with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes) who also had diabetic neuropathy. Subjects were divided into two groups; one group received 600 mg of ALA in intravenous daily doses for 14 days, and the other group received a placebo. Progress was determined by testing nerve conduction, sensation and nervous system function. As reported in Diabetes Care, the researchers concluded that ALA "significantly and rapidly" reduced both the severity and frequency of diabetic neuropathy symptoms. Mayo Clinic neurologist, Peter Dyck, M.D., added that even at the high dosage level used in the study (not available intravenously in the U.S.) there were no known complications. ALA also does something that no other antioxidant is known to do. It has the unique capacity to actually recycle vitamins C and E from their molecular building blocks. This is why ALA is sometimes called the "mother antioxidant." One of the factors to consider when supplementing with ALA is that it's quickly metabolized, so it's best to take lower amounts throughout the day, rather than a large dose all at once. Several studies have concluded that significant benefits can result from an intake of 50 mg per day. Research also shows that ALA may lower blood-sugar levels in normal, or non-diabetic, subjects as well as in those with diabetes, so it should be used with caution by anyone who tends to have very low blood sugar levels. In any case, you should discuss ALA use with your doctor before adding it to your daily regimen. | 
