Serious Help for Diabetes

Diabetic nephropathy is the leading cause of end-stage kidney failure in the world. High blood sugar leads to oxidative stress, which plays a key role in nephropathy. One natural antioxidant can really help.

In this new study, 100 people with type 1 diabetes added either nothing or 300mg a day of alpha-lipoic acid to their conventional medication for 3 months.

The study found that people with type 1 diabetes have significantly higher levels of oxidative stress and significantly lower total antioxidant capacity. That’s a bad combination. It also found that diabetics with diabetic nephropathy have higher levels of oxidative stress and lower levels of total antioxidant capacity than diabetics without, suggesting that oxidative stress plays a significant role in diabetic neuropathy.

That suggests that antioxidants could help prevent and treat diabetic nephropathy. And, at the end of the 3 month study, people who took alpha-lipoic acid had significant improvements in HbA1c, which is the most important marker of long term blood sugar and diabetes control. They also had significant improvement in urinary albumin excretion rate, a key indicator of kidney health, as well as oxidative stress and total antioxidant capacity.

This study suggests that supplementing alpha-lipoic acid can potentially help protect kidney tissue from diabetes-induced oxidative damage.

Journal of Diabetes and its Complications. January 2026;40(1):109201.

For the latest research to keep you and your family healthy, get The Natural Path delivered to your inbox each month for only $29.99 a year: Subscribe!

For much more on preventing and treating diabetes naturally, see our books The Family Naturopathic Encyclopedia and Chocolate: Superfood of the Gods.

For comprehensive natural help with your health, including preventing and treating diabetes, make an appointment to see Linda Woolven now. Linda’s clinic is now open for in person and virtual appointments.

The Natural Path is intended for educational purposes only and is in no way intended for self-diagnosis or self-treatment. For health problems, consult a qualified health practitioner for a comprehensive program.

Ask your health food store for The Natural Path Newsletter