Condition

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome happens when the median nerve is squeezed as it passes through the wrist, causing numbness, tingling and weakness in the thumb, index and middle fingers. Vitamin B6 and alpha-lipoic acid are the most studied options, and the evidence for each is moderate. Still, the only trial result available was small: 63 people used astaxanthin alongside splinting, and their HDL cholesterol improved.

Sources: PMID 23449748

Supplements studied: 2
Graded outcomes: 2
Trials: 2
People studied: 556

Evidence by supplement

Strong
Moderate
Limited
Very limited

2 supplements

Astaxanthin

Astaxanthin: outcomes studied for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People
	High-density lipoprotein (HDL) Small Improvement	Improves (the measure goes up)	Small effect	1 study	63 people
Studies that measured high-density lipoprotein (hdl) A blinded placebo-controlled randomized trial on the use of astaxanthin as an adjunct to splinting in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndromeHand · PMID 23449748
	Carpal Tunnel Symptoms No effect		NoneNo effect		63 people
	Total cholesterol	Changes; see studies		2 studies	63 people
Studies that measured total cholesterol Astaxanthin improves glucose metabolism and reduces blood pressure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitusAsia Pac J Clin Nutr · PMID 29384321 Positive effects of astaxanthin on lipid profiles and oxidative stress in overweight subjectsPlant Foods Hum Nutr · PMID 21964877
	Low-density lipoprotein (LDL)	Changes; see studies			63 people

Serrapeptase

Serrapeptase: outcomes studied for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Grade	Outcome	Effect	Size	Studies	People	Studies list
	Carpal Tunnel Symptoms	Improves (the measure goes down)		1 study	20 people
Studies that measured carpal tunnel symptoms A preliminary trial of serratiopeptidase in patients with carpal tunnel syndromeJ Assoc Physicians India · PMID 11225219

Key findings

High-density lipoprotein (HDL)AstaxanthinImproves (the measure goes up)
Carpal Tunnel SymptomsAstaxanthin

The Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Support protocol

2 primary supplements · 7 supporting supplements

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)50–100 mg daily (do not exceed 200 mg)
Alpha-Lipoic Acid600 mg daily

See the full protocol

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Studies cited

1 study from PubMed

Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in carpal tunnel syndrome management: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Lasers Med Sci · PMID 28580494