Alpha Lipoic Acid, and it's somewhat more potent R-lipoic acid isomer form, do have blood sugar lowering properties, adn any diabetics who take insulin are advised to monitor the taking of this supplement very carefully, as it can interfere with proper isnulin dosing by resulting in artificially lowered blood sugar readings.

On the other hand, those who control their impaired glucose tolerance by diet and exercise without insulin often find it a useful adjunct, in that it may obviate the need for such insulin supplementation.

Moreover, ALA and R-lpoic are potent antioxidants and great free-radical scavengers in the body, and, as has been mentioned, help with neuropathy pain for some.

I myself take 100mg of R-lipoic a day, more for the blood-sugar regulating properties and the antioxidant effects than for help with neuropathy pain at this point. Since I am prone to reactive hypoglycemia, I always take it with a meal, in order not to drive my blood sugar too low--and that helps with mitigating any gastric acidity, also.