I am a senior who has been hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) since I was about 18. I can't eat anything sweet without eating a regular meal first or go too long between meals. ALA hasn't bothered me at all, but I take it in the morning with breakfast. I also take a super B vitamin everyday at the same time so I get the thiamine also mentioned by another as well as B-12. ALA doesn't cost much, but as with all supplements, go for a good brand that is independently lab tested, otherwise you may not be getting what you think you are. I use NOW brand or Natural Grocers store brand and they work for me. Anyhow, it's worth a try if your feet are stinging the heck out of you. For me, that stinging pain is unbearable and my doctors were clueless about anything but prescription meds that may or may not work and can have a lot of side effects I didn't want. The pain doctor said I could get a nerve block, but that has its own problems too. So I am glad I found a way out for now that is simple and effective.