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Studies on Alternative Diabetes Treatment with Lipoic Acid

 

 

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Here are but a sampling of the many studies that have been done showing the effectiveness of lipoic acid (aka thioctic acid) as an alternative treatment for diabetes and blood sugar disorders.  The studies listed in this article are from a short book by Roger Mason called The Natural Diabetes Cure.  You can download the whole book as a PDF file for free by clicking here The Natural Diabetes Cure.  You can also purchase lipoic acid from www dot youngagain dot com.

Diabetes Alternative Treatment with Lipoic Acid - Eberhard-Karls University

A study on Thioctic Acid Effects on Insulin Sensitivity and Glucose-Metabolism” was done at Eberhard-Karls University in Germany (BioFactors 10, 1993). The researchers found that, “Thioctic acid is a co-factor of key mitochondrial enzymes, involved in the regulation of glucose oxidation, such as the pyruvate dehydrogenase and the alpha-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase, both enzyme complexes which are known to be diminished in diabetes.” In layman’s terms, this shows lipoic acid functions along with our body’s enzymes to stop oxidation of glucose. They concluded, “The clinical and experimental date indicate that this compound has beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity, correcting several metabolic pathways known to be altered in type 2 diabetes, such as insulin stimulated glucose uptake, glucose oxidation, and glycogen synthesis.” Two human studies published in Diabetologica 1995 and Arzneimittelforschung 1995 are quoted. Sensitivity to insulin was increased 27%  to 51% in only 10 days! This is nothing short of astonishing! There are no big Pharma prescription drugs (that are also toxic) that can even begin to achieve results this dramatic.

Lipoic Acid Treatment for Diabetes Complications - University of Southern California

 “Molecular Aspects of Lipoic Acid in the Prevention of Diabetes Complications” was published at the University of Southern California (Nutrition 17, 2001). Persons who have diabetes suffer from a vast array of complications which leads them to an early death.  Included are cataracts, vascular (heart and artery) disease, neuropathy (nerve deterioration), retinopathy (vision loss), and nephropathy (loss of kidney function). “Available data strongly suggest that lipoic acid, because of its antioxidant properties, is particularly suited to the prevention and/or treatment of diabetic complications….. In addition to its antioxidant properties, lipoic acid increases glucose uptake…..Further, recent trials have demonstrated that lipoic acid improves glucose disposal in patients with type 2 diabetes. In experimental and clinical studies, lipoic acid markedly reduced the symptoms of diabetic pathologies, including cataract formation, vascular damage and polyneuropathy.” These statements are earth shaking.

Antioxidant Treatment of Diabetes - University in Amsterdam

“The Pharmacology of the Antioxidant Lipoic Acid”, from Vrije University in Amsterdam (General Pharmacology v. 29,1997) is a very impressive 17 page review that is thoroughly and voluminously documented and it leaves no doubt about the effectiveness of lipoic acid as a treatment for Diabetes. In this study it is conclusively demonstrated that the S- and R- isomers convert equally well to DHLA in humans. This review is regarding the antioxidant properties of lipoic acid for overall health and well being rather than specifically the benefits as an alternative treatment for diabetes. The language in this study is very technical and sheds light on chelation, reactive oxygen species (ROS), oxidative stress, NADH, and other similar subjects.  In layman’s terms, they present lipoic acid supplements to be a proven and very powerful antioxidant that gives many benefits as we grow older.

Lipoic Acid, Oxidative Stress and Diabetes - University of Maastricht

An excellent review was done on the antioxidant properties and therapeutic potential of lipoic acid at the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands (Oxidative Stress and Disease v. 6, 2001). “lipoic acid can be used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus and has been shown to increase cellular glucose uptake and utilization.” The researchers show that both the oxidized (lipoic acid) and reduced (DHLA) forms are powerful antioxidants.

Lipoic Acid and Hyperglycemia, Insulin Restistance in Diabetes - University of Arizona

A long, well documented review was done on hyperglycemia and insulin resistance at the University of Arizona (Oxidative Stress and Disease v. 8, 2002). The researchers strongly recommend using lipoic acid as a therapy for treating both insulin resistance and hyperglycemia. They continue on to discuss the underlying mechanisms that occur when lipoic acid is used in pre-diabetic and diabetic conditions thus allowing us to see why and how it is so very effective.

Blood Sugar Dysmetabolism in Diabetes and Lipoic Acid - Oregon State University

A review was at Oregon State University (Current Medicinal Chemistry v. 11, 2004), showing the power of lipoic acid to help improve the negative effects of many chronic diseases.  This is in addition to treatment of diabetes and other forms of blood sugar dysmetabolism. Diabetic neuropathy (also known as polyneuropathy) is caused by the peroxidation and thus destruction of nervous tissues. Numerous studies demonstrate this can be greatly improved with lipoic acid supplements alone. For example, at the Diabetes Center in Romania lipoic acid was taken by diabetics for seventy days. They found antioxidant therapy with lipoic acid improved and may have prevented diabetic neuropathy. This improvement was connected to a reduction in lipid peroxidation indexes. Young type 1 diabetics (mean age of 38) in Romania were given lipoic acid for two months. Their results showed that lipoic acid appeared to be an effective substance in the treatment of various forms of autonomic diabetic neuropathy. Systolic blood pressure decreased dramatically with no other treatment other than lipoic acid.

Diabetic Neuropathy and Lipoic Acid - Goethe University

Type 1 and type 2 diabetics were given lipoic acid for only 3 weeks at Goethe University in Germany both. Their results showed that treat,emt with lipoic acid had a positive effect on the impaired neurovascular reflex arc in patients with diabetic neuropathy.

Diabetic Polyneuropathy and Lipoic Acid - Diabetic Research Institute

At the Diabetic Research Institute in Germany an exhaustive review that included 38 references was done on the alternative treatment of diabetic polyneuropathy and cardiac autonomic neuropathy with lipoic acid.  Diabetics were given lipoic acid for only 3 weeks at Heine University in Germany. Their NIS results improved dramatically. The scores of their meta-analysis gave evidence that treatment with lipoic acid over 3 weeks was safe and significantly improved both positive neuropathic symptoms and neuropathic deficits to a clinically meaningful degree in diabetic patients with symptomatic polyneuropathy. Also at Heine an extensive, heavily referenced 17 page review was published. Here they showed that lipoic acid is the single most effective supplement for treating oxidative stress in diabetics.

Lipoic Acid Protection from Diabetes Complications – Royal Pharmacy in England

Another good review was done at the Royal Pharmacy in England. Lipoic acid is now used in Germany for the treatment of diabetic naturopathy and definitive evidence of effectiveness should be clear from the surveillance studies. Lipoic acid may be more effective as a long-term dietary supplement aimed at the prophylactic protection from complications of diabetes.

Diabetic Oxidative Stress Relief with Lipoic Acid – Medical Research Institute in California

A study on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes and lipoic acid wasvpublished by The Medical Research Institute in California.  Lipoic acid, vitamin E, and N-acetyl cysteine are new strategies now available to treat such conditions according to these studies.

Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Burning Mouth Syndrome – University of Medicine

“Burning mouth syndrome” was successfully treated with lipoic acid at the University of Medicine in Italy.  Burning mouth syndrome is one common form of neuropathy. It took only 60 days to show improvement and this was maintained in over 70% of the patients after one year.

Lipoic Acid and Diabetes Alternative Treatment – University of Heidelberg

Diabetic patients were given lipoic acid for 3 months at the University of Heidelberg in Germany. These studies showed that treatment with lipoic acid significantly improves the imbalance between depleted antioxidant defense and increased oxidative stress even in patients with poor albuminuria and glycemic control. Later, at the same university, both type 1 and 2 diabetics we given long term lipoic acid for a year and a half. The results were impressive as always with urinary albumin and thrombomodulin concentrations reduced impressively with no other diabetic treatments.  These are both important indicators for diagnosis of diabetic stages.

Lipoic Acid Effective Alternative Diabetes Treatment – Oregon State University

At Oregon State University a 12 page review with extensive references found that lipoic acid therapy was helpful not only for diabetes, but also other diseases associated with oxidative stress. lipoic acid was found to be an effective agent to ameliorate certain pathophysiologies of many chronic diseases. A similar review was also done at Oregon State where the evidence was examined for the effectiveness of lipoic acid against such diverse age-related disorders as unwarranted apoptosis (programmed cell death), cardiovascular disease, and cataract formation. The famous Mayo Clinic in Minnesota did a most impressive 16 page review complete with 77 references on lipoic acid that leaves no doubt as to the proven effectiveness on any disease associated with oxidative stress including blood sugar disorders generally.

Diabetic Oxidative Stress and Lipoic Acid – University of California

Another good review with 34 references was done on the properties of lipoic acid in relation to oxidative stress and disease. The review was done at the University of California in Berkeley.

Lipoic Acid and Free Radical Scavenging in Treatment of Diabetes – University of California

A sophisticated review with an impressive 78 citations was done on the general antioxidant and prooxidant properties of lipoic acid. The review was done at the University of California in Los Angeles.  Researchers demonstrated that both lipoic acid and dihydrolipoic acid exhibit direct free radical scavenging properties.  Additional studies provide evidence that lipoic acid supplementation decreases oxidative stress, has pro-oxidant properties, and replenishes reduced levels of other antioxidants in humans.

Lipoic Acid Alternative Treatment Improves Type 1 Diabetes – City Hospital in Germany

At City Hospital in Germany type 1 diabetics were given lipoic acid in order to improve insulin sensitivity.  Researchers demonstrated that taking lipoic acid orally resulted in a marked increase of insulin-stimulated glucose disposal in NIDDM.  Better glucose disposal is a clear indicator of improvement in blood sugar disorder.

Lipoic Acid Prevents Diabetes – Alternative Medicine Review

Lipoic acid has the potential to prevent diabetes, influence glucose control, and prevent chronic hyperglycemia associated with complications such as neuropathy and cataracts according to an article in a 1998 issue of Alternative Medicine Review.

Lipoic Acid and Diabetic Blood Plasma Antioxidant Capacity – Aston University

Diabetics were given vitamin E, vitamin C and lipoic acid at Aston University in England. After only 6 weeks they discovered the total antioxidant status (TAS) measurement showed that diabetic blood plasma antioxidant capacity was increased with nothing more than dietary antioxidant supplementation.  When one takes a variety of proven antioxidants such as these, they all work together and the total effectiveness is dramatically improved. 

There are numerous published studies on humans from all over the world showing the benefits of lipoic acid as a supplement for blood sugar and insulin metabolism. Make this a part of your supplement program.

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