I've been taking Alpha Lipoic Acid for well over 2 years and does it help....don't know. I have numbness w/ poor balance and no pain. I have used both ALA and R-ALA, did not notice any difference relative to improvement. I started out taking 600 mg daily for about 8 months, went to 1200 mg daily for 8 months, now back to 600 mg again. No difference. Considering dropping it and see what happens. I've heard some folks do benefit and if so, stick with it.