Controlled-Release Alpha-Lipoic Acid Introduced for Diabetics (press release)
The First and Only Proprietary, Controlled-Release Formulation of Alpha-Lipoic Acid Reduces Oxidative Stress Associated with Diabetes by Antagonizing Excessive Free Radicals at the Cellular Level
Medical Research Institute (MRI), an innovator in nutraceutical approaches for diabetes, today announced the availability of Glucotize(TM), the only patented (three US patents awarded; additional applications filed), controlled-release formulation of the safe and
effective antioxidant alpha-lipoic acid. Extensive
research and clinical experience have indicated that alpha-lipoic
acid is safe, well tolerated, and effective in providing
symptomatic relief of diabetic neuropathy. Most recently,
results from a collaborative study between groups from the
Mayo Clinic and the Russian Medical Academy reported that
alpha-lipoic acid rapidly and significantly reduced the
frequency and severity of symptoms from diabetic
polyneuropathy (Ametov et al Diabetes Care 2003 26:770-6).
More recently, alpha-lipoic acid has been reported to
improve whole-body glucose metabolism and insulin
sensitivity in individuals with type 2 diabetes, which if
confirmed in larger studies, could help in the prevention
and treatment of type 2 diabetes along with other conditions
associated with impaired glucose metabolism. Intravenous
infusions of ALA have been used with outstanding results by
physicians in Germany for more than 25 years to treat
neuropathy, a common diabetic complication, and one that
causes significant pain and discomfort.
While
other manufacturers offer alpha-lipoic acid, it is not
controlled release, a limitation that means alpha-lipoic
acid is eliminated from the body very quickly -- in as
little as 30 minutes -- significantly hampering its
efficacy. MRI's Glucotize(TM) is a unique oral
formulation whose controlled-release formulation remains
in the body for hours rather than minutes.
"It's
well known that alpha-lipoic acid helps protect
mitochondria -- the 'power plant' found in each cell --
from being damaged by toxic byproducts created when
those mitochondria are deluged with too much glucose or
fatty acids," said Dr. Joseph L. Evans, MRI's vice
president of Research and Development and Chief
Scientific Officer. "We believe that there is a
compelling scientific rationale that supports the use of
alpha-lipoic acid to reduce oxidative stress (too many
free radicals) in individuals with diabetes, a strategy
that has been shown to offer symptomatic relief for
diabetic peripheral neuropathy. MRI's approach has been
to overcome the rapid elimination of alpha-lipoic acid
by developing a controlled release formulation, which
maintains an effective level in the body for a longer
time."
"Alpha-lipoic acid has long been recognized
for its beneficial impact on diabetic neuropathy," said
Dr. Ira D. Goldfine, director, Division of Diabetes &
Endocrine Research, Mount Zion Medical Center,
University of California San Francisco. "However, the
current oral formulations typically remain in the blood
only a very short time, requiring either multiple daily
doses or intravenous infusions. While more clinical
studies are needed with controlled-release oral
formulations of alpha-lipoic acid, it is clear that such
preparations should be very helpful for diabetics
suffering from complications such as neuropathy."