End Fatigue

Lipoic Acid and Acetyl-L-Carnitine May Decrease Back Pain

In this study, 64 people with acute backache and moderate sciatica were given either 600 mg a day of lipoic acid or 1,180 mg/d of Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC) for 60 days. Greater improvements were found in patients who received lipoic acid compared to ALC in both pain and on nerve testing. 71% of those on lipoic acid needed less pain medicine as opposed to 45.5% of patients taking ALC. The authors conclude that, "Thioctic acid (lipoic acid) 600 mg/day appears to be at least as effective as ALC in the treatment of sciatic pain caused by a herniated disc and may be associated with an improvement in symptom scores and reduced need for analgesia."

References

"Thioctic Acid and acetyl-L-carnitine in the treatment of sciatic pain caused by a herniated disc: a randomized, double-blind, comparative study," Memeo A, Loiero M, et al, Clin Drug Investig, 2008; 28(8): 495-500.