Previous research has shown that the antioxidant nutrient alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is important for nerve pain, especially diabetic nerve pain. But new research published in January 2012 in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition shows us that for people with type 2 diabetes, it turns out that ALA is good for more than diabetes-damaged nerves.  

The new study, from researchers in Thailand, demonstrated that ALA improved long-term blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. This study featured 38 people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes randomly assigned to either receive ALA or a placebo (fake pill). The researchers also found that the higher the dose of ALA, the lower the blood sugar, with 1,200 mg a day doing the most good. The higher doses were also well tolerated by study participants.

The study also showed that ALA helped cut down on the oxidation of blood fats, the process behind artery-clogging atherosclerosis. That's important, because heart disease and stroke are the leading killers of people with diabetes. For nerve pain, the dose is 300 mg twice daily and that’s also a good dose for those with diabetes.

Alpha-lipoic acid is made in the body and found in all cells. Red meat and brewer’s yeast are key dietary sources of alpha-lipoic acid. It’s interesting to note that a study published in the May 2011 issue of the Journal of Trace Elements in Medicine and Biology found that nine grams of brewer’s yeast per day decreased blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes by nearly 50 percent.