The fourth natural magic bullet is alpha lipoic acid (ALA). A placebo-controlled study of 72 adult diabetics found that oral ALA improved insulin sensitivity up to 25%. The researchers used daily doses from 600-1,800 mg for four weeks. Similar effects have been seen in mice.
Leading antioxidant authority Lester Packer has studied ALA extensively in his antioxidant research facility at Berkeley. Dr. Packer believes that ALA works against insulin resistance by increasing the permeability of cell membranes. In diabetics, elevated glucose levels decrease membrane permeability, preventing your ability to handle glucose.
What I really like about ALA is it is ability to reduce pain and debility in diabetic neuropathy. Many well-conducted studies have shown such a reduction is significant. Most of these studies gave patients large doses (600 mg) of ALA intravenously. But I have been using it orally at a dose of 300 mg for 15 years with satisfactory results.
Emerging animal research science suggests that R-lipoic acid may be far superior. It is the biologically active form of ALA, similar to L amino acids being the biologically active form. I am switching my patients to this breakthrough supplement. You can get R-lipoic acid from your local health food store.