ALA may have a protective effect on neurons, as it was found that people with multiple sclerosis (MS) supplementing with ALA for 2 years experienced a smaller decrease in brain volume than expected.[1] Furthermore, ALA may reduce disability scores and improve walking performance in people with MS.[2]
ALA has inconsistent benefits for the treatment of complications from type 2 diabetes such as pain from diabetic neuropathy.[3][4][5]
ALA has a small but consistent body of research supporting its ability to improve semen parameters like sperm concentration and sperm motility.[6][7][8] It also appears to be beneficial for female fertility processes like oocyte maturation, fertilization, and embryo development in the context of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).[8]