Alpha-Lipoic Acid for Diabetic Kidney Disease
Diabetic kidney disease accounts for up to 50% of kidney failure cases, so diabetic kidney damage is a major issue. Today, I want to talk about an over-the-counter supplement that has research behind it for diabetic nephropathy: alpha-lipoic acid, also called ALA.
This is Robert Galarowicz from Healthy Kidney Inc., and today we’re discussing why ALA may be helpful for people with diabetic kidney disease.
ALA is a nutrient your body naturally makes in small amounts. You can also get small amounts from foods like broccoli, potatoes, spinach, and other vegetables. But you generally cannot get enough from food alone to reach the amounts used in research, which is why people often use it in supplement form.
Why Alpha-Lipoic Acid May Help
This nutrient has been around for a long time and has been studied in diabetes-related conditions, including diabetic neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy.
Some research suggests it may help support:
- Healthy blood sugar function
- Antioxidant protection
- Lower oxidative stress
- A healthier inflammatory response
- Lower protein levels in the urine
For diabetic kidney disease, protein in the urine is one of the big things to watch. When the kidneys are damaged from diabetes, protein can leak into the urine. That is one of the signs of diabetic nephropathy and kidney stress.
Medical Research
There are several published studies looking at this nutrient and diabetes-related complications. Some studies focus on diabetic nerve pain, while others look at diabetic kidney disease and markers like protein in the urine.
ALA has been studied in medical journals for diabetic neuropathy, diabetic nephropathy, oxidative stress, and inflammation. It is not a new supplement or a trend. It has been used and researched for many years.
That does not mean it replaces your medication, your doctor, or your kidney care plan. But it may be a helpful supportive supplement to discuss with your healthcare provider, especially if you have diabetic kidney disease.
Suggested Dose
A common amount used for this supplement is 600 mg twice per day.
That means:
600 mg in the morning and 600 mg later in the day.
I generally would not look at very low doses like 50 mg, 100 mg, or even 300 mg if the goal is diabetic kidney support, because many of the stronger benefits in studies are seen with higher amounts.
For best results, it is usually something you would try consistently for several months. A good trial period may be around six months, while also monitoring your kidney labs, blood sugar, and urine protein with your doctor.
Copper and Long-Term Use
One thing to know about ALA is that it has chelating properties. That means it can bind to certain metals in the body.
This can be a good thing when it comes to unwanted heavy metals, but with long-term use, it may also affect minerals like copper.
If someone is using it longer than six months, some practitioners recommend adding a small amount of copper, such as 2 mg daily for 30 to 60 days. However, this should be discussed with your doctor, because copper is not something you want to take unnecessarily.
Final Thoughts
Alpha-lipoic acid is one of the more interesting supplements for diabetic kidney disease because it may help with blood sugar support, oxidative stress, inflammation, and protein in the urine.
If you have diabetic nephropathy, it may be worth discussing ALA with your doctor or kidney care provider. It should be used as part of a complete plan that includes blood sugar control, blood pressure control, kidney-friendly nutrition, medication management, and regular lab testing.
To your best kidney health.
