Acetyl-L-Carnitine Helps Diabetic Neuropathy

Diabetic nerve pain, especially in the feet, is a major problem for diabetics. Earlier research has shown that the supplement lipoic acid 300 mg 2x day is very helpful in addressing diabetic nerve pain (takes weeks to months to work).

In this article, 3 professors of pharmacology reviewed the research on using the supplement Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) to address PDN (Peripheral Diabetic Neuropathy). Two studies were reviewed involving 1,679 subjects. Subjects who received at least 2,000 mg daily of ALC showed decreases in pain scores. One study showed improvements in nerve conduction studies. Patients who had neuropathic pain reported reductions in pain using a visual analog scale. Nerve regeneration was documented in one trial. The supplement was well tolerated.

They concluded, “Data on treatment of DPN with ALC support its use. It should be recommended to patients early in the disease process to provide maximal benefit.”

I would note that this supplement has also been shown to be helpful in addressing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy. I would use it along with lipoic acid 300 mg a day in most people with any type of neuropathy. Give the supplements at least 6 weeks to start helping. For more information on addressing neuropathies effectively, see my book Pain Free 1-2-3.

References

Published Online, 21 October 2008, www.theannals.com, DOI 10.1345/aph.1L201. Jeffery D Evans, Tibb F Jacobs, Emily W Evans. Role of Acetyl-L-Carnitine in the Treatment of Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. The Annals of Pharmacotherapy: Vol. 42, No. 11, pp. 1686-1691.