[cancercured] peripheral neuropathy & ALA

* Alpha Lipoic Acid - In Germany, alpha-lipoic acid is an approved medical treatment for peripheral neuropathy. It speeds the removal of glucose from the bloodstream, at least partly by enhancing insulin function, and it reduces insulin resistance, an underpinning of many cases of coronary heart disease and obesity. The therapeutic dose for lipoic acid is 600 mg/day. The richest food source of alpha-lipoic acid is red meat – but to ensure proper health, use lean cuts of organic beef that has not been subject to antibiotics or feed lot practices.

Bill Asenjo, PhD, CRC

----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Asenjo
To: cancercured@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 11:45 PM
Subject: acupuncture for neuropathy

This may interest you, Al. Although the group consisted of HIV patients, the results are impressive. Scroll down to the final two sentences for the conclusion, if you want to skip the statistical mumbo jumbo.

Effect of Acupuncture on Pain and Subjective Peripheral Neuropathy in Persons with HIV

Phillips KD, et al. Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX.
Researchers tested 21 subjects to determine the effect of 5 weeks of acupuncture treatment in a group setting on pain and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The subjects completed the Pain Rating Scale and the Subjective Peripheral Neuropathy Screen (SPNS) before and after 5 weeks of acupuncture. The acupuncture treatments occurred two evenings per week. Each of the 10 sessions consisted of participants receiving 10-15 needle insertions in acupoints that addressed the individual's changing pattern of pain, sleep problems, or other health issues. The treatment utilized only main or common points located below the elbows and knees, and on the head, neck, and ears. Only reactive points were used in the acupuncture treatments. Needles were left in situ for 30-45 minutes.

A comparison of the pretreatment and post-treatment Pain Rating Scale results indicated a significant reduction in present pain (p = 0.0002), least and most pain in the last 24 hours (p < 0.0001 and p = 0.0004, respectively) and the total pain summary score (p < 0.0001). Symptoms reported in the SPNS were reduced during the 5 weeks of acupuncture. Scores for pain/aching/burning, pins and needles, and numbness in the hands and feet were reduced (all significant at less than p 0.0065), as well as the total summary score (p = 0.0001). Researchers concluded the results of this study indicate that subjective pain and symptoms of peripheral neuropathy were reduced during the period of individual acupuncture therapy delivered in a group setting. While the study design did not allow for control of nonspecific placebo factors, the data support the hypothesis that acupuncture in a group setting can reduce pain and neuropathic symptoms in HIV-infected individuals.

For what's it's worth, I've had success with acupuncture for a variety of problems, from depression to back pain.

Bill

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