The use of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation in diabetes: The available evidence

Abstract

Dietary health supplements have been increasingly used in the treatment and prevention of chronic disorders. During the previous years, lipoic acid has been reported to have a beneficial effect on diabetes and some of its complications. The aim of this paper is to review the evidence provided by lipoic acid research findings relevant to its use in diabetes. Since, the1950s, there has been accumulating experimental evidence showing that that lipoic acid, a naturally occurring substance, has a protective effect against the development of diabetes and its complications especially neuropathy. The beneficial use of oral lipoic acid in diabetic neuropathy has been reported mostly from Germany as early as the 1960s. Conclusion: There is convincing research evidence suggesting that lipoic acid has a benerficial effects in diabetes, and is particularly useful in the prevention and treatment of diabetic neuropathy. The beneficial effects of lipoic acid in diabetes and diabetic neuropathy are attributed to increasing insulin sensitivity, reduction of hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. Lipoic acid can possibly help in preventing diabetes in susceptible individuals, and the current expert opinion suggests that lipoic acid can be used in patients with patients with impaired glucose tolerance.