Every person with diabetes understands what blood sugar control is. Most diabetics know about complications. Yet only a handful are familiar with oxidative stress. In research studies, oxidative stress is causally linked to both blood sugar levels and complications. That’s why knowing what oxidative stress is, what causes the condition, and what treatments can be used in combating it are vital.  

Oxidative Stress and Diabetes

The effect oxidative stress (OS) has in diabetes has been, and continues to be, the object of substantial clinical investigation. It has been well established that oxidative stress in the cells of peripheral nerves leads to diabetic complications like neuropathy. And the OS begins long before the neuropathic symptoms of pain, burning, and numbness appear. Equally significant is how OS affects blood sugar levels. It has been shown that OS can reduce insulin sensitivity and damage the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

What Is Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress (OS) is the term used to describe the damage to a cell, tissue, or organ caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as free radicals. You see examples of oxidative stress in everyday life. Apples turn brown. Iron rusts. All caused by free radical molecules during the interaction of oxygen with a cell.

What Causes Oxidative Stress?

Oxidative stress is caused by free radicals (see chart below). The human body is exposed to free radicals from outside the body (exogenous) and inside the body (endogenous). Examples of exogenous free radicals are smog, cigarette smoke, radiation, consumption of excessive amounts of alcohol, and even sunlight. But the most profuse amount of free radicals humans are exposed to comes from within. Your cells need oxygen to generate the energy they need to function properly. In a process known as mitochondrial respiration, the mitochondria in your cells take in oxygen, burn it, and release energy. Every breath you take in “feeds” this energy machine. But during the process, electrons get “fumbled” and free radicals are produced. Oxidative stress occurs when free radical production exceeds your body’s ability to neutralize them. This imbalance happens for one of two reasons: 1) When your antioxidant production is diminished or 2) when the free radicals are produced in excess. Conditions such as diabetes, or the aging process itself, can lead to accelerated production of these endogenous free radicals and diminished antioxidant defense. The good news is, today there are effective treatments in combating free radicals and preventing and reversing oxidative stress.     

Free Radicals and Oxidative Stress: Free radicals attack normal cells causing damage known as oxidative stress. Over time, the build up of oxidative stress can lead to insulin resistance and diabetic neuropathy.

How Alpha-Lipoic Acid Combats Oxidative Stress

Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) has been used in Germany for over 30 years for the treatment of diabetic neuropathy. In the United States, it is being clinically developed for the same indications. Two recent published works (see Clinical Trials) demonstrate ALA’s remarkable efficacy:

But how does alpha-lipoic acid work to combat oxidative stress?

ALA as Potent Antioxidant

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals. Alpha-lipoic acid is a very potent antioxidant. It gains access to both water-soluble and lipid-soluble cell membranes. ALA can enter the mitochondria and neutralize a free radical quickly. What’s more, ALA is able to regenerate and recycle the body’s own antioxidant vitamins C, E, and CoQ10 - helping to further reduce free radicals. Most importantly, ALA elevates intracellular levels of glutathione - the body’s natural cell detoxifier. That’s how ALA is believed to prevent further oxidative stress. Current scientific thinking suggests that by preventing additional oxidative stress, ALA gives the cells the power to heal themselves. Perhaps that’s why users of Glucotize who have neuropathy have reported gaining the feeling back.

ALA as Insulin Sensitizer

Studies show that Glucotize increases insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal. Studies point to two mechanical actions that may explain this phenomenon. The first states that because oxidative stress impairs the body’s ability to utilize glucose, ALA’s ability to reduce oxidative stress leads to better insulin sensitivity and glucose disposal. But there may be another mechanism that produces better glucose utilization independent of the oxidative stress pathways. Apart from its status as potent antioxidant, ALA is a necessary component for the conversion of glucose to energy. A study is currently scheduled to determine if supplementing with ALA may cause the cell to take up more glucose.