Multiple sclerosis (MS) and Natural Supplements: What the Latest Research Says About Nanocurcumin and Alpha Lipoic Acid
MS affects 2.5 to 3 million people worldwide, including me, Dr. Conor Kerley, chief science officer at Phytaphix, founder and MS nutrition expert! I was diagnosed in 2003 shortly after my 16th birthday after having my first severe symptoms in 2002 aged 15 and 3 relapses in total. I've been in a wheelchair, I've learned how to walk again, I've sat in a neurologist office as a young boy and been told I have MS, I started on medication for about 3 to 4 months but stopped them due to side effects which were affecting me in school. Now in 2026, 24 years later I am symptom free, relapse free and medication free. I put this down to living a healthy lifestyle, including good nutrition and science based supplements. Anyway, enough about me!
I made it my mission to first help myself and then try help as many people with MS as best I can...
So I keep up with the research around which ALL aspects of lifestyle, especially nutrition and nutrients can have benefits or harms for MS.
Recent clinical research in people with MS suggests that two supplements: 1) Nanocurcumin + 2) Alpha lipoic acid
- Reduce inflammation
- Regulate the immune system
- Improve the quality of life
in people with multiple sclerosis
I, Dr. Conor Kerley, myself take both Alpha Lipoic Acid and Nanocurcumin as the MS Bundle every single day
While they are not a cure and should not replace medical treatment, human studies in people with multiple sclerosis have shown encouraging benefits and safety, particularly when highly bioavailable forms are used.
Why Are Scientists Interested in Nutrition and specific nutrients for MS?
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic autoimmune disease associated with:
- inflammation
- oxidative stress
- immune dysfunction
Certain nutritional strategies, including food supplements can target and improve all 3 of these areas and hence may provide significant benefit to all with multiple sclerosis.
Snapshot of benefits for multiple sclerosis from human research studies
Best Vitamins and Supplements for Multiple Sclerosis: Nanocurcumin
There are 6 human studies regarding nanocurcumin supplementation in people with multiple sclerosis (not lab studies or studies in animals).
Across these 6 published human studies, nanocurcumin supplementation has consistently been associated with improvements.
Nanocurcumin supplementation in multiple sclerosis had the following benefits:
- Less MS lesions and MRI activity (this is pretty amazing, right!?)
- Reducing MS relapse rate
- Immune regulation, including B & T cell function
- Inflammation regulation, including reducing neuroinflammation
- Improved immune/inflammation balance i.e. Increasing regulatory T cell (T-reg) number and function
- Improving the effect of MS medications (DMTs)
With these different clinical research studies in people with MS concluding:
Nanocurcumin study 1 conclusions:
‘nanocurcumin is able to restore the expression pattern of dysregulated miRNAs in MS patients’
this means better immune and inflammation regulation
Nanocurcumin study 2 conclusion:
‘nanocurcumin is able to restore the dysregulated of Th17 cells in MS patients’
this means less inflammation
Nanocurcumin study 3 conclusion:
‘nanocurcumin is capable of restoring the frequency and function of Treg cells in MS patients’
this means better inflammation and immune regulation
Nanocurcumin study 4 conclusion:
‘Nanocurcumin can enhance the effect of DMT, improving clinical outcomes, reducing inflammation in MS patients with a suboptimal response’
This means better response to MS meds, reduced inflammation and improved MS symptoms
Nanocurcumin study 5 conclusion:
‘Nanocurcumin improves MS medication effectiveness on radiological signs of inflammation in MS’
This means better response to MS meds, reduced inflammation and better MRI results
Nanocurcumin study 6 conclusion:
‘nanocurcumin may be more effective on the inflammatory features of MS. According to present results, nanocurcumin may inhibit neuroinflammation in MS patients’
This means reduced inflammation , especially regarding neuroinflammation i.e. the major issue in MS
Best Vitamins and SuAnimal studies of nanocurcumin in MS models showed major benefits
A 2015 study reported that nano curcumin let to multiple benefit including:
- decreased disease activity
- a significant decrease in the amounts of demyelination,
- inflammation and BBB breaking down.
- corrected balance of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory genes expression,
- decreased oxidative stress,
- improved remyelination
The researchers wrote: 'Our results demonstrated an efficient therapeutic effect of nanocurcumin as an anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative stress agent, with significant effects on the MS disease scores and myelin repair mechanisms'
The website multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com have an entire article called:
Summary of Nanocurcurmin and MS
Research on nanocurcumin in MS has reported that it is safe and has multiple benefits:
- Less MS lesions and MRI activity (this is pretty mazing, right!?)
- Reducing MS relapse rate
- Immune regulation, including B & T cell function
- Inflammation regulation, including reducing neuroinflammation
- Improved immune/inflammation balance i.e. Increasing regulatory T cell (T-reg) number and function
- Improving the effect of MS medications (DMTs)
Nanocurcumin is a simple addition to the daily routine for people with MS.
Best Vitamins and Supplements for Multiple Sclerosis: Alpha Lipoic Acid
In addition, there are 12 human studies regarding alpha lipoic acid supplementation in people with multiple sclerosis (not lab studies or studies in animals)
Across these 12 published human studies, alpha lipoic acid supplementation has consistently been associated with improvements in people with multiple sclerosis
Alpha Lipoic acid supplementation in multiple sclerosis had the following benefits:
- Reduced brain destruction (brain atrophy)
- Reduced disability
- Improved mobility (timed up and go)
- Reduced disability (EDSS)
- Quicker turning time when walking
- Reduced inflammation
- Reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant capacity
- Improved blood vessel health
The earliest study is from 1963 (!) but most of the trials are much more recent, including a trial from 2026!
Indeed, the ground breaking Octopus trial in the UK funded by MS Society UK and Platypus trial in Australia funded by MS Australia are looking at existing therapies and seeing if they have benefits for MS. The first 'medication' they are studying is not really a medication, it is alpha lipoic acid with the early results being very promising and covered by organisations such as
National MS Society of America
as well as trusted media sources such as The Independent
The different existing and published clinical research studies in people with MS concluded:
‘Alpha Lipoic Acid had a benefit on walking performance in people with MS’
‘Alpha Lipoic Acid demonstrated a 68% reduction in annual brain destruction (brain atrophy) and suggested a clinical benefit in MS while maintaining favorable safety, tolerability, and compliance over 2 years’
‘Alpha Lipoic Acid beneficially affects several inflammatory cytokines’
‘Alpha Lipoic Acid improves antioxidant capacity among multiple sclerosis patients ‘
‘Alpha Lipoic Acid may prove useful in treating MS by inhibiting inflammation activity and interfering with immune cell migration into the brain and spinal cord’
In addition, there are multiple relevant research reviews such as:
The Immunomodulatory Effect of Alpha-Lipoic Acid in Autoimmune Diseases which concluded: 'Αlpha-lipoic acid is a naturally occurring antioxidant in human body and has been widely used as an antioxidant clinically. Accumulating evidences suggested that alpha lipoic acid might have immunomodulatory effects on both adaptive and innate immune systems…highlighting the fact that alpha lipoic acid may have beneficial effects in autoimmune diseases, like multiple sclerosis'
α-Lipoic acid, functional fatty acid, as a novel therapeutic alternative for central nervous system diseases: A review which concluded: 'Alpha Lipoic Acid as an antioxidant and anti-inflammation agent has therapeutical effects on central nervous system diseases, especially multiple sclerosis'
Role of lipoic acid in multiple sclerosis which concluded: 'this review provides evidence for the anti-inflammatory and antioxidative effects of alpha lipoic acid in both in test tube and human experiments; therefore, patients with MS may benefit from lipoic acid administration'
Summary of Alpha Lipoic Acid and MS
Research on Lipoic Acid in MS has reported that it is safe and has multiple benefits:
- Reduced brain destruction (brain atrophy
- Reduced disability
- Improved mobility (timed up and go)
- Reduced disability (EDSS)
- Quicker turning time when walking
- Reduced inflammation
- Reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant capacity
- Improved blood vessel health
Alpha Lipoic Acid is a simple addition to the daily routine for people with MS
At Phytaphix, we know the science!
That’s why we’ve built the MS Bundle, whichI Dr. Conor Kerley, take every single day:
Our Evidence-Based MS Bundle
Our MS Bundle contains 3 month supplies of both:
1. Gold Standard Curcumin: 80mg nanocurcumin with essential micronutrients (including 400mcg methylfolate, vitamin B12 + vitamin D3 + more)
- Delivers highly bioavailable nanocurcumin
- One capsule daily, with food
2. Lipoic Acid Phix: 300mg R-alpha lipoic acid with ginger extract and essential micronutrients
- Delivers naturally occurring R-alpha lipoic acid
- 2 capsules daily, preferable one early in the day and one late in the day
- Gold Standard Curcumin – one capsule daily
- Lipoic Acid Phix – 2 capsules daily, preferable one early in the day and one late in the day
For the scientific details, see below:
Curcumin and multiple sclerosis
Laboratory and animal studies have consistently shown that curcumin influences many of the biological processes involved in multiple sclerosis
Research suggests curcumin may help:
- Reduced MS severity
- Support healthy immune regulation
- Reduce inflammatory signalling
- Lower oxidative stress
- Reduce abnormal blood vessel formation
These findings are encouraging because MS is characterised by altered immune function, chronic inflammation, oxidative stress.
However, animal research alone does not prove that a supplement will work in people. So what does the human research show?
Curcumin supplementation in people with multiple sclerosis
As of writing, there are NO studies examining turmeric or curcumin supplementation in people with multiple sclerosis. So taking turmeric or even curcumin supplements is unlikely to help MS.
The Problem with Standard Curcumin
One of the biggest challenges with conventional curcumin supplements is that very little is absorbed after it is swallowed.
This poor absorption means that although curcumin has impressive biological activity in laboratory studies, much less reaches the bloodstream and tissues in humans where it can have benefit.
This may help explain why clinical studies using standard curcumin have often produced disappointing results.
Nanocurcumin: A Better Form of Curcumin!
Nanocurcumin is designed to overcome one of the biggest limitations of conventional curcumin by dramatically improving its absorption, by up to 285%!
Because the curcumin particles are much smaller, more of the active compound can reach the bloodstream and the tissues where it is needed and can have benefit.
This improved bioavailability has led researchers to investigate whether nanocurcumin may produce better clinical outcomes than standard curcumin.
Nanocurcumin and other brain issues
- nanocurcumin and migraine
- Nanocurcumin and inflammation
But what about nanocurcumin and multiple sclerosis?
Clinical Research on Nanocurcumin and Multiple sclerosis
Study Snapshot 1
Participants
50 patients with MS
Intervention
80mg nanocurcumin daily for 6 months
Researchers found
People with MS had abnormal microRNAs (miRNAs)
Nanocurcumin was able to normalise 18 miRNAs!
*miRNAs help regulate genetic expression and in MS help regulate immune cell activity & nervous system regulation
Study Snapshot 2
Participants
25 patients with MS
Intervention
80mg nanocurcumin daily for 6 months
Researchers found
People with MS had abnormal Th17 levels
People with MS had abnormal IL-17A and RORγt expression
Nanocurcumin was able to normalise Th17, IL-17A and RORγt.
Study Snapshot 3
Participants
50 patients with MS
Intervention
80mg nanocurcumin daily for 6 months
Researchers found
Beneficial changes in expression levels of microRNAs
Dramatic reduction in levels of inflammation
Study Snapshot 4
Participants
50 patients with MS
Intervention
80mg nanocurcumin daily for 6months
Researchers found
People with MS had reduced number of regulatory T cells (Tregs) which regulate immunity & inflammation
People with MS had reduced expression of anti-inflammatory cells: TGF-β, IL-10 and FoxP3
Nanocurcumin was able to increase Tregs and expression of anti-inflammatory cells: TGF-β, IL-10 and FoxP3
What Does the Current Evidence Tell Us?
human studies using nanocurcumin, a more bioavailable form of curcumin, have shown encouraging improvements in MS MRI activity, inflammation, including neuro inflammation, immune regulation, reducing relapse rate as well as improving the effectiveness of MS medications (DMTs)
Why Choose Gold Standard Curcumin?
✓One capsule daily
✓Formulated by and taken daily by MS nutrition expert and living well with MS, Dr. Conor Kerley
✓Superior form of curcumin (Nanocurcumin)
✓Research based dose (80mg)
✓12 Essential micronutrients added
Best Vitamins and Supplements for Multiple Sclerosis: Alpha Lipoic Acid
Laboratory and animal studies have consistently shown that alpha lipoic acid influences many of the biological processes involved in multiple sclerosis 4,5
Research suggests alpha lipoic acid:
- Decreased total oxidative stress
- Immune regulation
- Decreased Inflammation
- Inhibited immune entry into the brain and spinal cord
The Problem with Standard Alpha Lipoic Acid
Most food supplements use artificially produced lipoic acid as it’s easier to manufacture with but standard alpha lipoic acid
- Artificially manufactured
- Not naturally occurring
- Suboptimal absorption and biological activity
- Can cause heart burn and stomach issues
R-alpha Lipoic Acid: A Better Form of Lipoic Acid
The R form of Alpha Lipoic Acid has multiple benefits:
- The naturally occurring form
- Better absorption
- More biologically active
- Better health effects
- Better tolerance i.e. less side effects
Lipoic Acid and brain health
Previous research has shown that alpha lipoic acid has benefits in other areas of brain health:
Alpha Lipoic Acid and migraine
Alpha Lipoic Acid and dementia
Alpha Lipoic Acid and eye disease
Alpha Lipoic Acid and motor neuron disease
But what about alpha lipoic acid and multiple sclerosis?
Clinical Research on Alpha Lipoic Acid supplementation in multiple sclerosis
There are 11 human studies regarding alpha lipoic acid supplementation in people with multiple sclerosis. Across the eleven published human studies to date, alpha lipoic acid supplementation has consistently been associated with improvements in multiple sclerosis
A 2005 study reported that 1,200mg standard lipoic acid reduced inflammation and oxidative stress in people with MS
A 2010 study confirmed that 1,200mg standard lipoic acid could achieve therapeutic blood levels in people with MS
A 2014 study reported that 1,200mg standard lipoic acid improved antioxidant capacity in people with MS
A 2014 study reported that 1,200mg standard lipoic acid reduced inflammation in people with MS
A 2017 study reported that 1,200mg standard lipoic acid decreased brain loss (brain atrophy) by 68% in people with MS
Another 2017 study reported that 1,200mg standard lipoic acid improved blood vessel health in people with MS
A 2018 study reported that 1200mg standard lipoic acid could improve walking and turning ability in people with MS
All of these studies used 1,200 mg standard lipoic acid but…these studies and others reported side effects at this dose such as heart burn and stomach issues. Indeed, I myself noticed quite a lot of heartburn and reflux from this dose.
A 2020 study compared 600mg R Alpha Lipoic Acid to 1,200mg Alpha Lipoic Acid and showed that the lower dose of the R form led to the same bioactivity as the higher dose of the standard form but was tolerated with less side effects.
Then a 2026 study reported that 1200mg standard lipoic acid could prevent brain loss (brain atrophy) but did not benefit walking ability.
What Does the Current Evidence Tell Us?
Human studies in people with multiple sclerosis have shown encouraging improvements in brain health, MS disability, inflammation and quality of life outcomes in people with multiple sclerosis
Why Choose Lipoic Acid Phix?
✓Two capsules daily
✓Superior form of alpha lipoic acid (R Alpha Lipoic Acid)
✓Research based dose
✓ Formulated by MS nutrition expert, living well with MS, Dr. Conor Kerley
✓ Enriched with ginger extract
✓Essential 6 micronutrients
Current evidence suggests that nanocurcumin and alpha lipoic acid are both safe AND beneficial in multiple sclerosis. However, supplements should complement, not replace, the treatment plan recommended by your healthcare professional(s)
If you have MS, check out the MS bundle
Share this page with someone who might be interested as well as with your MS healthcare team, neurologist, MS nurse, pharmacist etc.
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