This Is MS Multiple Sclerosis Knowledge & Support Community

Friends,

A new member to the this great site. I am a 34 year old male living in San Francisco, CA, dx three years ago with rr ms. My doctor says I am stable with Rebif, notwithstanding the constant mild numbness and tingling in the legs, arms, and face.

I am interested in taking supplements as well, namely alpha liopic acid. People seem to speak highly of this supplement, although, I am concerned about it acting counter to the Rebif.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Hi Chicano and welcome to the site.

I have been on Avonex a little over a year and taking alpha lipoic acid for about 9 months at 1200 mg/day. I personally think it does wonders for the numbness, burning and tingling.

This site has some detailed scientific information about ALA, but doesn't address MS or the interferons.

I have no idea if it would act counter to the Rebif or the Avonex. I seriously doubt if there's information about this, but we could ask our neuros I guess.

Nice to hear you're doing well.

Sharon

Chicano wrote:I am interested in taking supplements as well, namely alpha liopic acid. People seem to speak highly of this supplement, although, I am concerned about it acting counter to the Rebif.

I don't know for certain, but I don't think that Lipoic Acid will counter act the effects of Rebif. Lipoic Acid inhibits NF-kB which is a transcription factor responsible for producing several proinflammatory cell signaling proteins. By inhibiting NF-kB, supplementation with Lipoic Acid should result in less overall inflammation in the body.

Here are some links for further reading...

• Alpha lipoic acid inhibits human T-cell migration: implications for multiple sclerosis.
• Alpha lipoic acid inhibits T cell migration into the spinal cord and suppresses and treats experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.
• Reactive oxygen species are required for the phagocytosis of myelin by macrophages.

In addition, I've been on Avonex for about 4½ years and have been taking R-Lipoic Acid supplements for about a year. I have not discussed this with my neurologist yet, however my MS symptoms have been stable for at least 3 to 3½ years.

I should note here, as I have in other threads, that I take other supplements as well.

NHE

welcome to the site. As pointed out above, Alpha Lipoic Acid has been discussed in a few studies as potentially beneficial for MS.