Lipoic acid is part of a group of supplements that improve the function of mitochondria. Carnitine, biotin, and CoQ-10 and magnesium also are involved with transporting and facilitating nutrients across the mitochondria membranes to enable energy production of the cells. Nerve cells included.

It is just that there are no real tests to see if the mitochondria are functioning well or not. We basically go by observation of clinical symptoms. (weakness and fatigue are often signs but so are cell death, or loss of functions those cells perform.)

Thanks MrsD.

Just did an interesting experiment with my blood glucose monitor. I ate a HUGE bowl of cereal for lunch (something I would have eaten easily without thought a month and a half ago) and I tested my blood sugar an hour, an hour and a half, and 2 hours after. At an hour I was at 94, not bad, not bad. At an hour and a half I was at 152 :eek: AND THEN at 2 hours I shot up to 164!

That is definitely the highest I have seen it, BUT I also have not been eating many carbs for the past month. I used to, though, all the time. For years and years and years every meal I ate was loaded with carbs. I really am wondering if I could have diabetic neuropathy occurring before a diabetes diagnosis. I think I will have my doctor do that 4 hour glucose test.

My integrative medicine doctor told me to take it regardless of the cause of the neuropathy. She said it can't hurt, and some evidence indicates it may help, so why not. Something has caused my neuropathy to improve since I first got with it, so I'm just maintaining my ritual.

I don't think my blood sugar issues are the cause of my neuropathy just because I didn't have typical onset nor typical symptoms. Mine was essentially a case of full-body, acute onset. I don't think my spiking blood sugar was helping the situation any, though, so staying low carb is part of my ritual.

I had an endo give me an arched eyebrow about the RLA, but my neuro is a proponent, I don't see the harm and while the cost is not zero, the potential benefit versus not taking it is worth it.

I am also diabetic, so it is useful in lowering blood glucose. I take 100 mg two times a day.

I have had rare short breaks when I forgot to reorder. I felt lousy some of those days, but I wouldn't attribute it to no RLA, as I feel lousy on the odd day anyway.

My doctor had never even heard of it before!

I do have some good news to report... on Saturday I started a ketogenic diet and took my daily carbs below 30g. My low-carb diet before consisted of anywhere from 100-150g, which I realize now is way too much for blood sugar. Anyway, my numbers have been very stable on this diet and for the past 2 days I have had a major decrease in my feet burning. My feet actually feel a bit better. Of course it's too soon to tell anything and I could just be experiencing a let up on my neuropathy symptoms, but I am taking it as a good sign!!

Stay away from b6. It causes neuropathy.