Indication: Burning mouth syndrome

Source: J Oral Path Med, 2002;31:267-269

Research: Burning mouth syndrome is a type of chronic oral pain diagnosed in the absence of any other clinical disorder. Its symptoms leave the tongue, palate and lips feeling as though they have been burned by hot liquid. Burning mouth syndrome tends to occur in postmenopausal women, and it has been assumed to be related to psychological factors. In a double-blind study, researchers asked 42 women and 18 men, ages 22-68, to take either 200 mg of alpha lipoic acid three times daily or placebo for two months.

Results: Of the patients taking alpha lipoic acid supplements, 87% had either a complete resolution or partial im­provement of symptoms during the two month study. None of those taking placebo had a complete resolution of symptoms, and only 40% had a significant improvement. One year later, 73% of the patients who had improved with alpha lipoic acid maintained that im­provement. In contrast, all of the patients who improved while taking placebos deteriorated over the course of a year.