L-Carnitine and Alpha Lipoic Acid
 

I have been taking these supplements for about two weeks now as advised by my neurologist. Specifically, 1,000 mg l-carnitine (twice a day) and 600 mg Alpha Liopoic Acid (once a day) - both purchased from i-herb*. It is my understanding that the supplements can aid the body in the regeneration of nerve fiber.

Questions are:
1. Does this therapy work for your PN?
2. Do you have any side effects?
3. How long before you feel beneficial results?

I understand it as a hit or miss thing - sometimes the supplements help, sometimes they don't.
Interested to hear of your experience in taking the supplements.

Mere.

* l-carnitine - now Foods Brand
Alpha Lipoic Acid - Doctor's Best Brand

Kitt is correct in that known reversal treatments for CMT are not known yet (other than some weak studies on one variant of CMT using Vit C)

However, it is rare for a neurologist to recommend supplements these days, IMO.

Alpha lipoic has been improved to r-lipoic which allows for lower doses.

The most common side effect for alpha or r-lipoic is stomach upset. But only 2 people here over the years have reported that.

Both are rather benign to take. I would start seeing effects in a month or so. Maybe longer. After six months with no effect, I think you can scrap them.

Alpha lipoic depending on doses may lower blood sugar readings. So diabetics should test blood sugar while using it.

Both supplements have long histories on PubMed around the world for being helpful for PN. (tested on diabetics).
HIV patients taking drugs for that use acetyl carnitine to minimize the PN that comes from those treatments. Also chemo.

Both supplements enhance mitochondrial functions of the cells. Your response to them, will tell your neurologist what your probable cause is, I would think.

Hello,
Switching to R-lipoic acid is easier on my stomach and if I don't take my 2000mg of Vit-C for a couple of days I can feel a let down

I use Ester C now, 500mg daily. There is no stomach affects, and I don't notice any acidic urine either. I am doing this because I am now on a fructose free diet and cannot eat fruit anymore or drink juices.

The Ester C seems very mild compared to the old regular one.

Vit C is helpful for people with arthritis.

Thank you all for your comments...

Mere

Hello,
The reason for the Vit-C comes from reading a book by the late Dr. Pauling considering high C dosages. I don't take the virus shots and have had only a few colds in the last 15 years of Vit-C usage.

My first neurologist recommended alpha lipoic acid, vitamins C,E,B complex and a multiple vitamin. Almost a year later I am only taking 300 mg. of lipoic acid daily and occasionaly take 500 mg. of C. I can't say it has improved my neuropathy.

I don't think 300mg of alpha lipoic is not really enough. If you use alpha form you need to take at least 600mg a day. All the studies were done with high doses.

If you use r-lipoic, 100mg a day is enough for most people.
R-lipoic has become easily available now, in the past 2 yrs or so.
Still too new to appear in studies however.

Alpha contains an inactive isomer, which necessitates a higher dose to get enough of the active one. It also tends to cost more money.

All PNers should have testing for B12 levels and Vit D. I think these are the most critical.

The trio of Metanx
methyl B12
P5P pyridoxal
methyl folate

Are helpful for nerve regeneration.