---
title: "Oral Alpha Lipoic Acid Treatment for Symptomatic Diabetic…"
description: "Oral alpha-lipoic acid taken twice daily for six months can improve symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy."
url: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d32370731.md"
canonical: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d32370731.html"
html: "https://magellanlongevity.com/study/d32370731.html"
type: "study"
study_key: "d32370731"
journal: "Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets"
year: 2020
pmid: "32370731"
doi: "10.2174/1871530320666200506081407"
citations: 1
updated: 2026-09-02
author: "Gabriel Radu, DO"
author_credentials: "Physiatrist (PM&R). NY medical license 275110. NPI 1376861765."
publisher: "Magellan Longevity"
content_format: "markdown"
---

# Oral Alpha Lipoic Acid Treatment for Symptomatic Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Study

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## Citation

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Journal | Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets |
| Year | 2020 |
| PMID | [32370731](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32370731/) |
| DOI | [10.2174/1871530320666200506081407](https://doi.org/10.2174/1871530320666200506081407) |
| Study key | d32370731 |

## Takeaway

Oral alpha-lipoic acid taken twice daily for six months can improve symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy.

## The question

Can oral alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) treatment improve symptoms of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN)?

## Hypothesis

Oral 600mg ALA twice daily over 6 months will be effective in treating patients with DPN.

## Methods

This was a prospective, single-center, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. 200 DPN patients were randomized to receive either oral 600mg ALA twice daily (n=100) or placebo (n=100) for 6 months. Outcomes including vibration perception threshold (VPT), neurological symptom score (NSS), neurological disability score (NDS), and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain were assessed at baseline, 1, 3, and 6 months.

## Results

At baseline, there were no significant differences between the groups. In subsequent visits (1, 3, and 6 months), ALA-treated patients showed significantly better results across almost all outcome parameters (NSS, NDS, VAS, VPT). Mild nausea was reported in 6 patients, and no patients discontinued treatment.

## Conclusion

Oral 600mg ALA twice daily for 6 months is an effective, safe, and tolerable treatment for DPN.

## Limitations

The study was a single-center design, which may limit the generalizability of the findings.

## Verbatim from the abstract

> ALA-treated patients had significantly better results regarding almost all outcome parameters

## Where this study is used on Magellan

This paper is one of the citations behind the evidence grade on the pages below. Grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of affiliate commissions.

| Compound or device | Evidence grade | Graded pages |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA) | Moderate evidence | [Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/129.md) |

## Reference

1. **Oral Alpha Lipoic Acid Treatment for Symptomatic Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy: A Randomized Double-Blinded Placebo-Controlled Study**
   Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets 2020 · [PMID 32370731](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32370731/) · [DOI 10.2174/1871530320666200506081407](https://doi.org/10.2174/1871530320666200506081407)

   > ALA-treated patients had significantly better results regarding almost all outcome parameters

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## Related on Magellan Longevity

- [Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA)](https://magellanlongevity.com/p/129.md) — product graded on this and related evidence
- [Evidence: universal antioxidant, glucose metabolism](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/s129.md)
- [Examining oxidative stress as a mechanistic link between sleep irregularity and…](https://magellanlongevity.com/study/ala_redox.md)
- [Longevity research map](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-research-map.html)
- [Evidence-based longevity supplements](https://magellanlongevity.com/longevity-supplements.md)

## Scope and disclosures

Educational information, not medical advice. Nothing here is intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to your physician before starting any supplement or device, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medication.

Editorial firewall: evidence grades are assigned from the published research and are independent of any affiliate commission. As an Amazon Associate, Magellan Longevity earns from qualifying purchases.

Reviewed for accuracy by a board-certified physician (DO).