Area: Neurosciences
Ecunerv is a dietary food supplement in tablets that contains lipoic acid, B vitamins, vitamin E and magnesium.
INDICATIONS
Ecunerv is used when the nervous system needs additional support, such as during:
Neuropathy due to mechanical, metabolic, toxic, ischemic, optical, alcoholic, diabetic or post-herpetic causes
Canalicular syndrome
Radiculopathy
B vitamins work in synergy with magnesium to support the nervous system. Vitamin E has an antioxidant effect.
ALPHA LIPOIC ACID
Alpha lipoic acid (also known as ALA, thioctic acid or vitamin N) is naturally available in the human body and works as a co-enzyme in cellular metabolism. It also protects cells from oxidative stress.
It has a strong antioxidant action which, unlike other similar molecules, is exerted on both intra-cellular and extra-cellular oxidative agents.
It also regenerates other antioxidants, in particular vitamins E and C. This precious characteristic makes lipoic acid an important synergic component in a food supplement containing these vitamins.
Finally, ALA promotes the activity of glutathione and increases its bioavailability.
Lipoic acid and peripheral neuropathy:
ALA is largely used in treating peripheral neuropathies such as sciatic nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy caused by chemotherapy, alcoholism or diabetes. Thanks to its antioxidant, detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties, it helps rebalance cell redox mechanisms as well as overall relieve neuropathic pain.
One of the most common causes of peripheral neuropathy is diabetes: approximately 30% of hospitalised diabetic patients and 20% of non-hospitalised diabetic patients suffer from this condition. In general it affects the nerves of the feet first and then the legs. Symptoms include burning, pain, cramps and eventually numbness. The hyperglycemic environment caused by diabetes damages nerve cells because of the increase in oxidative stress and the reduction in the levels of neurotrophic factors.
In diabetic neuropathy, and in general in all types of neuropathy, ALA:
- Reduces oxidative stress
- Normalises the levels of nitric oxide metabolites
- Reduces peroxidation of lipids
- Reduces protein glycosylation
- Increases the activity of (Na+/K+)-ATPase
- Increases absorption of glucose in cells with an insulin-like effect
- Increases blood stream flowing to the nerves
The efficacy of ALA in the treatment of diabetic neuropathy has been demonstrated by several studies. In particular it has been examined in three randomised, large-scale, double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trials: the “Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Diabetic Neuropathy” (ALADIN) Studies.
