Evidence supporting the use of: Dihydrolipoic acid
For the health condition: Multiple Sclerosis

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Dihydrolipoic Acid (DHLA) is the reduced form of alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), a compound with antioxidant properties. The use of ALA and its active form DHLA in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is primarily based on scientific investigation rather than traditional medicine. Laboratory and early clinical studies have explored the effects of ALA on MS due to its strong antioxidant capacity and potential to modulate immune and inflammatory responses, which are central to MS pathology.

Several small clinical trials and animal studies have suggested that ALA supplementation may reduce markers of inflammation and blood-brain barrier disruption in MS patients. For example, a pilot study published in Multiple Sclerosis (2005) reported that oral ALA reduced serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), an enzyme linked to MS activity. Further, a randomized controlled trial in Neurology: Neuroimmunology & Neuroinflammation (2017) found that daily ALA supplementation in secondary progressive MS patients was safe and showed a modest slowing of brain atrophy over 2 years. However, these studies typically use ALA rather than specifically DHLA, though DHLA is the primary intracellular active form.

The overall body of evidence is limited by small sample sizes, short durations, and the use of ALA rather than isolated DHLA. No large-scale, definitive clinical trials have established its efficacy in MS. Thus, while the scientific rationale exists and there is some preliminary human data, the strength of evidence is modest, justifying a rating of 2 out of 5.

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