A key supplement for blood sugar control is alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), an antioxidant that is both water- and fat-soluble. ALA also helps other vitamins fight free radicals, those reactive molecules in our cells that speed aging and cause damage. Free radical damage contributes to diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases.
 
Alpha-lipoic acid also helps balance glucose levels and metabolism. ALA is a superior antioxidant. Both water- and fat-soluble, it is also able to recycle other antioxidants, specifically vitamins C and E.
 
Oxidative stress contributes to development of diabetes and diabetic complications. It is linked to insulin resistance.¹ Sugar-induced oxidative stress drives diabetic complications and alpha-lipoic acid provides critical antioxidant support.
 
ALA can help prevent or treat diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage) and is officially sanctioned for that use in Germany. Studies suggest that aggressive supplementation (200 to 600 mg per day) with ALA, under a health care practitioner’s guidance, may reduce pain, burning, itching and numbness caused by diabetic nerve damage.² ALA has been shown to stimulate regeneration of nerve fibres and improve blood flow to peripheral nerves.²
 
*NOTE: Consult a health care practitioner before using alpha-lipoic acid at higher doses as it may lower a person’s requirement of injected insulin.
 
References:

1. Paolisso G., Giugliano D., "Oxidative stress and insulin action: is there a relationship?" Diabetologia, 1996, 39: 357-363,
2. Packer, Lester, Colman, Carol, The Antioxidant Miracle, John Wiley & Sons, Toronto, 1999