Numbness and pain in hands and feet... Study: Lipoic acid can relieve peripheral neuropathy caused by cancer chemotherapy

Cancer has been ranked first among the top ten causes of death in China in recent years. With the advancement of medical technology, some cancers can be cured if they are diagnosed and treated early. However, many cancer patients will develop peripheral neuropathy when receiving chemotherapy, resulting in numbness in the extremities of the hands and feet. In severe cases, they will experience slow reaction, weakness, pain, and itching. Studies have found that moderate supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid can help improve neuropathy induced by chemotherapy drugs, giving patients a glimmer of hope!

Pharmacist Zhao Shunrong, chairman of the Taiwan Preventive Health Care Association and a master of pharmacy, pointed out that cancer can be treated by surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, hormone therapy, targeted therapy and other methods. Chemotherapy (abbreviated as chemo) mainly kills cancer cells, but it also affects normal cells and causes side effects. Clinical statistics show that 30% to 40% of cancer patients will develop chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Symptoms can affect daily activities, cause emotional stress, and reduce quality of life.

Side effects of cancer chemotherapy may reduce cancer patients' willingness to receive treatment

The survey found that due to cancer patients' lack of understanding of the mechanism of action of chemotherapy, they are worried about something that causes fear, and at the critical point of their lives, about 20% of patients are still hesitant about whether to undergo chemotherapy. Pharmacist Zhao Shunrong pointed out that some cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy also believe that the side effects of chemotherapy, such as oral mucosal ulcers, esophageal mucosal damage and inflammation, nausea, vomiting, neuropathy, diarrhea, etc., have greatly reduced their quality of life and, more importantly, seriously affected patients' willingness for treatment. Therefore, during chemotherapy treatment, family care, encouragement and companionship are the most important support for cancer patients.

Studies have shown that a common side effect of some chemotherapy drugs is neurotoxicity-induced neuropathy, with about 30% to 40% of patients experiencing numbness and tingling.

6 Common Ways to Treat Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy

Currently, there are several ways to prevent chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy CIPN:

Calcium/Magnesium Infusions

●Acetyl-L-Carnitine

Glutathione

●Alpha-Lipoic Acid/Thiotic Acid/ALA

●Glutamine

●Vitamin E

Cancer chemotherapy drugs may induce neuropathy

For common types of tumors, including breast cancer, ovarian cancer, testicular cancer, lung cancer, colorectal cancer, etc., some chemotherapy drugs are generally widely used for treatment and have good therapeutic effects. However, studies on these chemotherapy drugs have pointed out that a common side effect is neurotoxicity-induced neuropathy. About 30% to 40% of patients experience numbness and tingling. The neuralgia is related to the type and dose of chemotherapy, which may be a reason for limiting the dose or even stopping treatment.

Pharmacist Zhao Shunrong explained that sensory neurons are particularly vulnerable to damage because they are located outside the blood-brain barrier of the dorsal root ganglion, so they will be affected by chemotherapy drugs, causing mitochondrial damage and producing neurotoxicity. Clinical studies have found that α-lipoic acid can use its antioxidant properties to rescue the mitochondria of sensory neurons and achieve the effect of protecting nerves.

To supplement lipoic acid, it is recommended to get it from food, including: spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, green beans, cabbage sprouts, rice bran, egg yolks, yeast, etc.

Study: Alpha-lipoic acid can alleviate peripheral neuropathy caused by cancer chemotherapy

A study from the Cancer Center of St. Edward Mercy Medical Center in Arkansas, USA, pointed out that this is a randomized phase III clinical study on the effectiveness of using alpha-lipoic acid to prevent peripheral neuropathy in patients receiving cancer chemotherapy. The results showed that the drugs used in chemotherapy work in different ways, stopping the growth of cancer cells by killing cells or preventing them from dividing. Alpha-lipoic acid can protect normal cells from the side effects of chemotherapy and prevent damage to nerves in other parts of the body.

In addition, studies have also shown that lipoic acid has the ability to reduce viability and proliferation in breast, ovarian, colorectal, and lung cancer cell lines, and has a synergistic effect with chemotherapy. It also reduced cell metastasis and invasion in thyroid cancer cell lines. Several case reports have been published suggesting that lipoic acid (usually in combination with other agents) may have anticancer activity in patients with advanced metastatic cancer. But for peripheral neuropathy associated with cancer treatment, the study noted that poor patient compliance could affect results. Randomized controlled trials and preliminary studies have shown that lipoic acid, especially when used in combination with other compounds, can improve quality of life and may have some anticancer activity. Lipoic acid is well tolerated and does not appear to cause toxicity when taken orally or intravenously.

Study: Lipoic acid can improve type 2 diabetes and wound healing, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's

Pharmacist Zhao Shunrong summarized several clinical reports and stated that from a clinical point of view, α-lipoic acid treatment would be closer to the treatment target of pathogenic mechanism. Lipoic acid is a relatively new concept in Taiwan, but it has been used safely and effectively in the United States, Europe, and Japan to treat complications of diabetes (there is also an academic discussion published in Taiwan Medical Circles 2009, Vol.52, No.6) and peripheral neuropathy caused by nerve damage in various parts of the body, such as carpal tunnel syndrome nerve damage, sciatica, and relief of herpes zoster nerve pain for more than 50 years. Studies have shown that lipoic acid can also effectively prevent stroke and heart disease, improve type 2 diabetes and wound healing, Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.

Foods that supplement lipoic acid: spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, etc.

To supplement lipoic acid, it is recommended to get it from food, including: spinach, broccoli, tomatoes, green beans, cabbage sprouts, rice bran, egg yolks, yeast, etc. In addition, if food intake is limited and inconvenient, you can also supplement with health foods in moderation. When choosing, pay attention to whether it is produced by a "pharmaceutical-grade manufacturer", or listed in PDR (American Physician's Desk Reference) and has passed the "third-party inspection agency quality certification" health products, or used by medical centers or recommended by doctors. It should be safer and more selective to ensure peace of mind.

The key to patients' victory over cancer: treatment, nutrition and willpower

Pharmacist Zhao Shunrong reminds us that only by changing past lifestyle patterns and relying on good nutrition can we improve our tolerance to cancer treatment, maintain normal body functions, and increase immunity. Therefore, during cancer treatment, a Mediterranean diet should be adopted, good fats (unsaturated fatty acids) or good fish oils should be eaten, sufficient calories should be consumed, protein should be increased, and a balanced and diversified diet should be consumed to achieve the goal of balanced nutrition. Also monitor blood sugar levels and vitamin D levels (vitamin D3 is related to immune inflammation), and maintain moderate and regular exercise to maintain weight and enhance resistance. Although the cancer treatment process is very difficult, as long as cancer patients have strong willpower, family support, and medical staff work together, they can fight cancer and have a chance to defeat it.