Evidence supporting the use of: Alpha lipoic acid
For the health condition: Burning Feet or Hands

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 4

Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) is supported by moderate to strong scientific evidence for use in treating burning sensations in the feet or hands, especially when these symptoms arise from diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Several randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trials have demonstrated that ALA can significantly reduce neuropathic symptoms such as burning, pain, numbness, and tingling. The mechanism is believed to involve ALA's potent antioxidant properties, which help reduce oxidative stress and improve nerve function in individuals with nerve damage due to diabetes. A pivotal trial, the ALADIN study, and its follow-up studies (ALADIN II, SYDNEY, and NATHAN 1) found that intravenous and oral ALA (typically 600 mg/day) led to notable improvements in neuropathic symptoms compared to placebo. These studies showed that ALA is generally well-tolerated, with minimal side effects. While most research focuses on diabetic neuropathy, which often presents as burning sensations in the extremities, evidence for non-diabetic causes of burning feet or hands is less robust but suggestive. ALA is recommended by some clinical guidelines in Europe for diabetic neuropathy, though it has not been universally adopted in all countries. It is important to note that while the evidence is strong for neuropathic symptoms related to diabetes, its effectiveness for other causes of burning feet or hands is less well-established and should be approached cautiously.

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