Alpha lipoic
acid is a powerful, natural antioxidant becoming recognized as having some
unique properties in the therapy and prevention of a broad range of diseases. In
addition to being a powerful antioxidant, this supplement helps the body use glucose, hence it's
potential role in improving blood sugar control. ALA reduces complications from a high sugar diet.
it is readily absorbed from the diet or as a supplement.
This nutrient has a variety of
benefits, particularly for diabetics.
The two types available over the counter in stores or online
If you're taking a conventional lipoic acid supplement, you're likely
only getting half or less of the benefit of natural lipoic acid. The reason for
this is that most alpha lipoic acid products on the market have both forms: the S form, and the R form.
R-lipoic
acid is much more potent (2 times or more) than commonly sold alpha lipoic acid which contains both the R and S forms. The S form is chemically the
mirror image of the R form and cannot be used
by the body, hence it is useless. Thus, 50 mg of R- alpha lipoic acid is equivalent to
about 100 mg of the regular version. However, since many of the
products over the counter have high dosages, getting less is not in issue.
Suggested use, dosage: For long term use, a dose of 10 to 50 mg of R- alpha lipoic
acid capsule a few times a week is adequate. For smaller amounts,
you may open a capsule and put it in water or juice. The capsule is best
taken in the morning with breakfast. If you plan to take higher amounts,
please do so under medical supervision.
Use of this nutrient can often
lead to a mild feeling of well-being. Interestingly, there�s also a slight
visual enhancement that occurs. However, this visual enhancement is not as
dramatic as that of Eyesight Rx.
Q. Is the R-Lipoic Acid 50 mg a bioenhanced and/or
stabilized formulation?
A. I actually do not know what these terms mean in relation to this
supplement. These terms appear to be a marketing ploy by some companies.
A search on Medline for "alpha lipoic acid bioenhanced stabilized" did
not reveal any findings.
Q. Thank you for your very informative, evidence-based
website. As a medical doctor myself I appreciate your recommendation to take low doses of supplements and to take time off
occasionally. I just want to bring to your attention that the latest
issue of The Linus Pauling Institute newsletter recommends (for those
who wish to supplement with alpha lipoic acid) 200 to 400 mg. per day for
older adults. Would you comment on this relative to your recommendation
of 10 50 mg. per day for the long-term? Also, I read elsewhere (I don't
recall the source) that there is no difference between the R and S-forms
of alpha lipoic acid. Will you comment on this also?
A. Most doctors and nutritionists are not aware of the risks posed
by high dose ALA use. It appears thus far that the R form is more
useful.
R lipoic vs ALA, which is better?
J Enzyme Inhib Med Chem. 2014. Effects of alpha lipoic acid and its R+
enantiomer supplemented to hyperbaric oxygen therapy on interleukin-6,
TNF-α and EGF production in chronic leg wound healing. R lipoic acid may
be more effective than ALA in improving chronic wound healing in
patients undergoing HBO therapy.
Dosage, how much to take
As we found out about vitamin E, high doses of antioxidant
supplements may not lead to more benefits. In fact, there
comes a point where a supplement, no matter how benign, can become unhealthy if
the doses are too high. For this reason I do not recommend more than 10 to 50
mg of alpha lipoic a day for long term use as a way to improve health. Those who
have a medical condition may need higher amounts. There are products out there
that have 300 mg per capsule. I am not convinced they are healthy to take,
except perhaps to treat an existing medical condition for a specific period of
time.
Animal research has shown that R ALA can increase or maintain levels of other
antioxidants including COQ 10, vitamin C, vitamin E and glutathione, which often
declines with age.
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Conditions where
it may benefit
This nutrient may
benefit those with diabetes, heart
disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's
disease, and Huntington's disease.
It improves blood sugar
control, neuropathy associated with diabetes mellitus, and toxicity associated
with heavy metal poisoning.
The ideal antioxidant?
Fruits, herbs and vegetables contain countless
antioxidants. They are all important, and taking alpha lipoic acid is certainly
not a substitute for eating a diet loaded with refined sugars, desserts, and
high-fat junk. However, it offers some benefits you won�t find in other
antioxidants. In a review article published in the journal Free Radical Biology
and Medicine, one of the leading scientists in the area of antioxidant
chemistry, Lester Packer, Ph.D., from the University of California at Berkeley, comes close to calling it the "ideal" antioxidant, for the following reasons:
Alpha lipoic acid is readily absorbed from the diet or as a supplement.
It can regenerate vitamin C from its oxidized form, dehydroascorbic acid, and regenerate other antioxidants.
Chelates transition metal ions (e.g. iron and copper),
It can enhance the synthesis of glutathione, the main antioxidant within our
cells. Glutathione effectively mops up all types of toxins and free radicals.
However, we cannot take supplements of this antioxidant since it is unable to
cross cell membranes.
It can even pitch in and help when the body is
lacking vitamin E. When laboratory animals were depleted of their vitamin E
stores because their diet lacked this nutrient, they displayed obvious symptoms
of vitamin E deficiency. However, when their diet was supplemented with ALA, the animals were completely protected.
Anti-aging, can it help you live longer?
Glucose (sugar) has been implicated in the aging process because of its ability
to react with some proteins, such as collagen, to produce glycation. That is,
a glucose molecule attaches to some amino acids of a protein and makes the
protein less functional, leading to malfunction.
As we age, the amount of glycation of the proteins in our bodies tends to
increase.
The glycation of the collagen in our tendons and arteries increases with age in
proportion to the increase in blood glucose that occurs with aging.
However, restricting calories can help prevent this age-related increase in glycation. In other words, avoiding excess sugar and excess calorie consumption
could theoretically, over the years and decades, help our proteins stay
healthier.
Alpha lipoic acid could help lower the rate of glycation. Practical ways to use this information include:
Eat small, frequent meals throughout the day instead of one or two excessively
large ones. Eating these small meals, or snacks, will help maintain your blood
sugar at a relatively steady state, instead of wide fluctuations.
Make sure to get some protein with each meal. Avoid a purely carbohydrate meal,
except when you want to induce sleep at night. Carbohydrates, eaten an hour or
two before bed, will help you feel sleepy.
Even relatively "healthy" drinks, such as fruit juices, can increase blood sugar
significantly when consumed in large amounts, such as six ounces or more. Many
people quickly gulp down eight ounces of orange juice in the morning, in
addition to a cup of coffee laced with a teaspoon or two of sugar.
Alzheimer's disease
Alpha-lipoic acid as a new treatment option for Alzheimer's disease -- a 48 months
follow-up analysis.
J Neural Transmission Suppl.
In a previous study, 600mg ALA was given daily to nine patients
with Alzheimer's disease (receiving a standard treatment with choline-esterase
inhibitors) in an open-label study over an observation period of 12 months. The
treatment led to a stabilization of cognitive functions in the study group.
Asthma, breathing
Alpha-Lipoic acid inhibits airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in a
mouse model of asthma.
J Allergy Clin Immunology. 2004.
We evaluated the therapeutic effect in a mouse model of asthma. Compared with
untreated asthmatic mice, treated mice had significantly
reduced airway hyperresponsiveness, a lower proportion of eosinophils among BAL
cells, and significantly improved pathologic lesion scores of the lungs.
Blood sugar
This nutrient could lower blood sugar levels.
Burning mouth syndrome treatment
BMS has features of a neuropathy and could be
related to the production of the toxic free radicals that are released in stress
situations. An older study shows benefit
from ALA use while a newer study does not show any benefit over placebo. The
problem with the newer study is that it was only 20 days long while the older
study was for 2 months. Also, in the newer study, both placebo and ALA patients
improved.
Alpha lipoic acid in burning mouth syndrome - a
randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
J Oral Pathol Med. 2009.
Patients were randomized into
two cycles of treatment: one with alpha lipoic acid and one with placebo both
administered in identical capsules. The study failed to demonstrate the effectiveness
of ALA over placebo.
This was a double blind, controlled study conducted for two months on 60 patients with constant burning mouth syndrome. Following treatment there was a symptomatic improvement with the majority showing at least some improvement after 2 months. This improvement was maintained in over 70% of patients at the 1 year follow-up. Burning mouth syndrome (BMS): double blind controlled study of alpha-lipoic acid (thioctic acid) therapy. J Oral Pathol Med 2002. Stomatology Clinic II, University of Medicine and Surgery, Napoli, Italy.
Cancer
Bratisl Lek Listy. 2014. Chemopreventive potential of alpha lipoic acid in
the treatment of colon and cervix cancer cell lines. The nuclear factor κB
regulates the expression of genes involved in many processes that play a key
role in the development and progression of cancer. The aim of this study was to
examine the influence of the alpha lipoic acid in the chemoprevention of colon
and cervix carcinoma in vitro. In recent years, special attention has been paid
to the potential chemopreventive properties of antioxidants. There are no
published data on the impact of alpha lipoc acid of chemoprevention of cervix
and colon cancer. We examined the effect of alpha lipoic acid alone or in
combination with cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil on proliferation of the two cell
lines, HeLa (human cervical carcinoma cells) and Caco-2 (human colon cancer
cells) by MTT test. The measurement of the level of transcription factor NF-κB
was also performed in the cells of both cell lines. At least one of the
mechanisms of the antiproliferative and/or cytotoxic effect of alpha lipoic acid
on Caco-2 and HeLa cells at high concentrations, the transcription factor NF-κB,
may be involved, as well as the products of transcription of genes that are
under its control.
Benefit for
diabetes
Lipoic acid is helpful in diabetes,
particularly for those with diabetic
neuropathy and diabetic nephropathy. Oxidative stress plays a central role in the
cause and progression of late microangiopathic (small vessel) complications in
diabetes mellitus. Treatment of diabetic patients reduces oxidative stress and urinary albumin excretion, and slows the
progression of endothelial cell damage. ALA may also may tissues
more sensitive to insulin.
In a study completed at the University of Heidelberg in
Germany, the effect of ALA on the progression of
kidney cell damage and the course of diabetic nephropathy was evaluated in 84
patients with diabetes over 18 months. Thirty-five patients were treated with
600 mg alpha-lipoic acid per day. After 18 months of follow up, those on ALA had a slower progression of the disease than the control group as shown by
a decrease in the amount of protein lost in urine.
Int J Mol Sci. 2016. A Clinical Trial about a Food Supplement Containing α-Lipoic Acid on Oxidative Stress Markers in Type 2 Diabetic Patients. We randomized 105 diabetics to either a supplementation containing 600 mg of α-lipoic acid, 165 mg of L-carnosine, 7.5 mg of zinc, and vitamins of group B, or a placebo, for three months. We evaluated body mass index, fasting plasma glucose (FPG), post-prandial-glucose (PPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), fasting plasma insulin (FPI), HOMA-index (HOMA-IR), lipid profile, high sensitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA). There was a reduction of FPG, PPG, and HbA1c with the food supplement containing α-lipoic acid compared with a baseline, and with the placebo. Concerning lipid profile, we observed a reduction of LDL-C, and Tg with the food supplement, compared with both the baseline, and the placebo. There was a reduction of Hs-CRP with the food supplement containing α-lipoic acid, both compared with the baseline and the placebo. An increase of SOD, and GSH-Px, and a decrease of MDA were reached by the food supplement containing α-lipoic acid, both compared with the baseline and the placebo. We can conclude that the food supplement containing α-lipoic acid, L-carnosine, zinc, and vitamins of group B improved glycemic control, lipid profile, and anti-oxidative stress markers.
Improvement of insulin sensitivity in patients with type 2 diabetes
mellitus after oral administration of alpha-lipoic acid.
Hormones 2006.
Twelve patients were treated with oral alpha-lipoic acid, 600 mg twice
daily over a period of 4 weeks. At the end of the
treatment period, insulin sensitivity of diabetic patients was significantly
increased.
Diabetic heart disease
Rev Diabet Stud. 2013. Alpha-lipoic acid improves subclinical left ventricular
dysfunction in asymptomatic patients with type 1 diabetes. Findings suggest that
it may have a role in preventing the development of diabetic cardiomyopathy in
type 1 diabetes.
Diabetic neuropathy
research
High blood sugar levels for prolonged periods can be toxic to nerves in the body.
Diabetics who don't control their blood sugar eventually start losing sensation in their
feet. Other problems follow resulting from damage to various nerves that supply internal
organs. Even impotence can result due to loss of nerve sensation in genital organs.
However high blood sugar may not be the only culprit. Diabetics are usually under high
oxidative stress and this probably contributes to their neurological problems.
Several studies indicate that this nutrient has
beneficial effects on
diabetic neuropathy, party due to its actions as an antioxidant, and
also by improving the circulation to tiny blood vessels supplying nerve tissue.
Effects of alpha lipoic acid on microcirculation in patients
with peripheral diabetic neuropathy.
Haak E,. University Hospital, Frankfurt,
Germany.
One group of patients received 1200 mg alpha-lipoic acid orally per day over 6
weeks resulting in improved microcirculation.
Erectile dysfunction
Whether alpha lipoic acid helps those with sexual dysfunction is not
fully understood but this nutrient does not seem to have a rapid action for this
purpose.
Eye health, retina studies, eyesight
R alpha lipoic acid protects retinal pigment epithelial cells
from oxidative damage.
Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005.
The present study suggests that
R ALA could be effective against
age-associated increase in oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction in
retinal pigment
cells.
Personally I find an improvement in vision and clarity within the first day of taking a 50 mg capsule.
Glaucoma
I have taken over your recommended dose of ALA now for
about two years 300 mg day. In my defense, I just came across your website
today. My eye pressure was at 28, but no evidence of glaucoma yet. The opthalmologist suggested statins
to prevent glaucoma; however, I asked him for a few months reprieve first.
Anecdotal information I found on the internet suggested that ALA in higher doses had
lowered eye pressure and I found it also might help my idiopathic neuropathy.
Within two months, my eye pressure dropped to 24, and is now maintaining at
around 22!
Hypoglycemia
Would it be as beneficial for hypoglycemia as it is for diabetes? Or, would it
be contraindicated and lower the blood sugar even more?
I think those with hypoglycemia may not benefit from high dosages.
Liver health and glutathione
preservation
R-alpha-lipoic acid reverses the age-associated increase
in susceptibility of hepatocytes to tert-butylhydroperoxide both in vitro and in
vivo. Antioxid Redox Signal. 2000.
Loss of smell (Olfactory)
Alpha lipoic acid may help regenerate loss of smell after a cold.
Alpha Lipoic acid in the treatment of smell dysfunction following viral infection of the upper respiratory tract. Hummel T. Laryngoscope 2002. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Dresden Medical School, Germany.
Fish oils are also helpful in maintaining a sense of
smell and olfactory health as we age.
Loss of taste, dysgeusia
Researchers at the University of Medicine and Surgery, in Napoli, Italy, selected
patients with idiopathic dysgeusia, an altered
perception of taste, matched for age and sex, for an open trial of alpha lipoic
acid compared with placebo for 2 months. The results showed significant
symptomatic improvements compared with placebo, suggesting that
idiopathic dysgeusia may be a neuropathy comparable to the burning mouth syndrome.
Macular degeneration
Ann Nutr Metab. 2012. Effect of (R)-α-lipoic acid supplementation on serum
lipids and antioxidative ability in patients with age-related macular
degeneration. The apparent increase in SOD activity caused by LA supplementation
indicates that LA may have a possible preventive effect in the development of
AMD through an antioxidant mechanism.
Memory
Feeding alpha lipoic acid and acetyl-l-carnitine to old rats improves performance on
memory tasks by lowering oxidative damage and improving mitochondrial function.
Multiple sclerosis
Alpha Lipoic acid in multiple sclerosis: a pilot study.
Mult Scler. 2005.
Thirty-seven multiple sclerosis subjects were randomly
assigned to one of four groups for 14 days: placebo, ALA 600 mg twice a day, 1200 mg once a day and 1200 mg twice a day. We found that subjects taking 1200 mg had
substantially higher peak serum levels than those taking 600 mg and that peak
levels varied considerably among subjects. We conclude that oral alpha lipoic
acid is generally well tolerated and appears capable of reducing serum matrix
metalloproteinase-9 and
soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 levels. It may prove useful in treating multiple sclerosis by inhibiting
MMP-9 activity and interfering with T-cell migration into the CNS.
Skin health, benefit of cream
Randomized, placebo-controlled, double blind study on the clinical efficacy of a
cream containing 5% alpha lipoic acid related to
photoageing of facial skin.
Br J Dermatol. 2003.
Alpha lipoic acid or the reduced form dihydrolipoate (DHLA) is
a potent scavenger with anti-inflammatory properties. Previous uncontrolled
studies with topical treatment with 5% alpha-lipoic acid-containing creams indicate a
beneficial effect on photoageing skin. Our results indicate twelve weeks of treatment with a
cream containing 5% alpha lipoic acid improves clinical characteristics related to photoageing
of facial skin.
Thyroid gland
influence
Effect of alpha-lipoic acid on the peripheral
conversion of thyroxine to triiodothyronine and on serum lipid-, protein- and
glucose levels.
Arzneimittelforschung. 1991.
Our results demonstrate that
alpha lipoic acid interferes with the production of T3 from T4 when it is
co-administered with T4. The elevated level of T3, after T4 administration, is
reduced by treatment with ALA.
My comments: It is possible that individual with thyroid problems who are medicated with Synthroid or Levoxyl may get a speeding heart if they take a high dose of ALA. Perhaps the dosage in those on thyroid medications should be limited to 10 to 20 mg.
Weight loss and anti-obesity
It is possible that a very high dosage can cause
a decrease in appetite and weight loss but this is not safe.
In a trial involving 360 obese individuals with hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypercholesterolemia individuals were randomly given ALA1200 mg per day or 1800 mg per day or placebo for 20 weeks. The results were the group taking 1800 mg experienced significantly more weight loss than the placebo group. Common side effects were urticaria and an itching sensation but these were generally mild. Effects of alpha-lipoic Acid on body weight in obese subjects. Am J Med. 2011.
Alpha lipoic acid
side
effects, safety, danger, risk
There are no indications that low doses, such as 5 to 20 mg, have side effects.
Higher doses could cause nausea or stomach upset, along with over-stimulation,
fatigue, and insomnia. High doses could also potentially lower blood sugar. This
is often beneficial to patients who have diabetes, but it requires close
monitoring of blood sugar levels. Those with thyroid problems may consider taking half a capsule of a
50 mg R alpha lipoic acid dose.
Atrial fibrillation
I read that you recommend no more than 10-50 mg/day. At the advice of a consultant at a GNC store, I started
taking 900 mg (3 300mg tabs/day). Two weeks later I I
suffered atrial fibrillation/ flutter which required hospitalization to get my
heart in normal sinus rhythm. I've got a trans-esophageal echogram and an
ablation scheduled. I am post-menopausal, healthy, non-smoking, active, normal
weight. I had open heart / bypass surgery years ago for a blocked LADA, but was
discharged from cardiac follow-up.
I had been taking 800 mg of ALA for months to lower my
blood sugar under the care of a practitioner. I stopped a few weeks ago when I
read in your website that this high dosage could cause atrial fibrillation and
arrhythmia. Consequently, my sugar has shot up even though I'm very
conscientious about what I eat. I also have open angle glaucoma. I'm 56 years
old. I'd like to understand the connection with atrial fibrillation and
arrhythmia.
I am not sure how this occurs, and it does not happen in
everyone. Some people are able to tolerate high dosages without heart rhythm
disturbances whereas others are very susceptible.
Gastrointestinal symptoms
I have found that taking r lipoic greatly reduces my paresthesia. However, it
also creates painful stomach cramps / ulcers after just a few weeks use. I am
only taking 50 mg every other day, although one every day has better results.
Heart palpitations
I recently while on vacation was consuming more sugary
snacks than usual, so I was offsetting this by consuming 300 mg R Lipoic
Acid and cinnamon supplements to try to keep blood sugars down. I had an episode
where my heart rate was actually around 60 and my BP was up but I heart was
beating erratically. I have had tachycardia before but not while taking R LA. Do you think the
ALA is causing the heart palpitations.
I do not know the cause of the heart rhythm problems you may be
experiencing, but, in my experience, high dose ALA use is associated with
palpitations and tachycardia in some users.
Hypercalcemia
I take 300 mg of ALA a day for the past year, I have
developed osteoporosis (Dexa-scan 5 yrs ago was perfectly
normal), and have been diagnosed with high calcium levels. Tests for myeloma, thyroid
issues, parathyroid, etc. are all clear. The doctor is trending my condition
for three months and has asked me to stop taking excess calcium for three months
before another lab. Have
you come across any research studies that indicate that ALA could cause or
contribute to hypercalcemia?
I have not seen any information on the role of ALA and its
long term effects on bone health but I will keep this in mind when I review
future studies on this topic.
Pruritis, itching
Since 2008 I've been taking
alpha lipoic acid sustained release 400 mg twice a day and in April 2009 the back
of my head began itching and slowly got more intense to the point I had
scratched till sores were on my head. As that slowly went away I started to itch
on my lower back. Then that slowly moved from one place to another, my elbows
then the stomach my upper back, knees the back of my legs. I itch all over now.
I stopped taking it August 2009, now it is October
2009 and still itch sometimes. It is slowly getting better but you should see my
body I have sores all over from scratching. always getting blood on my clothes.
Toxicity, fatality, overdose
Klin Padiatr. 2014. Fatal non-accidental alpha-lipoic acid intoxication in an
adolescent girl. A 14-year-old girl ingested in suicidal intention a large
amount of alpha-lipoic acid, which led to multiorgan failure and subsequent
death within 24 hours. Multiorgan failure consisted of decreased myocardial
contractility, seizures, anuria, thrombocytopenia, and coagulopathy. Therapy
consisted of ventilation, anticonvulsive treatment and circulatory support with
high-dose catecholamines. According to alpha-lipoic acid serum levels following
ingestion the girl must have ingested a minimum of 10 alpha-lipoic acid tablets
of 600 mg each.
Withdrawal symptoms
I started taking ALA a few month ago for confusion and a possible diagnosis of
MS multiple sclerosis. I took the brand Natural Factors 200mg. At first I took
only 200 per day but noticed good side effects of increase energy, less craving
of carbs and better brain clarity, so I started taking an additional pill mid
afternoon and at night. I have always struggled to get out of bed in the morning
because I had an over whelming tired, groggy, heavy body feeling. With the ALA
My energy was great it I woke up so much easier and it seemed to even help with
some mild depression and my brain clarity was so much better. I had an overall
feeling of well being. About three weeks ago I noticed that if I forgot to take
ALA in the afternoon I had a sleepy, tired�let down feeling. So I would pop a
pill and within minutes feel fine again. I did not feel tired in the evening�but
I took an ALA capsule at bed time to insure I would not have to drag myself out
of bed in the morning. It did not interfere with my sleeping. Now I have a
different issue�I have to make the bottle of ALA last until my next payday, so I
am rationing the capsules I have and am only taking 1 per day in the morning. I
am noticing some mental confusion again and some negative, depressive thinking
and I am tired and yawning in the afternoon, however I am still not at groggy in
the morning as I use to be. I would say I am noticing more withdrawal side
effects then I had when I stopped taking Wellbutrin.
Dr. Sahelian�s experience
Unlike most antioxidants such as vitamins C, E, and selenium, there is actually
a noticeable effect from taking alpha lipoic acid. I�ve observed a sense of relaxed wellbeing
and slightly enhanced visual acuity. Higher dosages, such as 50 mg or more, even
when taken in the morning, cause me to have insomnia.
Summary and review
Until long-term studies are published on humans, I do not
recommend that you take more than 10 to 50 mg a day unless you�re being treated
for a particular condition under medical supervision. Since ALA helps restore
antioxidants, you may need less vitamins C and E and other antioxidants when you
take them together.
Alpha lpoic acid is an exciting addition to the list of nutrients, herbs, and
hormones that can treat disease in a safer and more natural way, and help you
become healthier. This nutrient offers many benefits, but, as with any medicine,
we should not think of it as a magic bullet that can cure all types of diseases.
The human body is complicated, with countless chemical reactions going on at any
one time.
Absorption and metabolism
Plasma kinetics, metabolism, and urinary excretion of alpha lipoic
acid following oral administration in healthy volunteers.
J Clin Pharmacol. 2003.
Exogenous racemic
alpha lipoic acid orally administered is readily and nearly completely absorbed. Urinary
excretion does not play a
significant role in its elimination. Therefore, biliary
excretion, further electrochemically inactive degradation products, and complete
utilization of alpha lipoic acid as
a primary substrate in the endogenous metabolism should be considered.
Storage, refrigeration,
stability
There are some claims by certain companies
that their product does not require refrigeration because it is assured that it
is stable at room temperature, but a search on Medline in 2011 did not
reveal any studies regarding the ideal way to store this product and whether it
is better to refrigerate or keep at room temperature. Any claims by companies that their product last longer
should be verified and they need to provide actual studies.
Alpha Lipoic cream and skin health
Alpha
Lipoic acid 5% skin cream can reduce damage from sun exposure.
A brief history
In the fall of 1950 a team of scientists headed by Dr. Lester Reed, from the
Department of Chemistry at the University of Texas in Austin, isolated a
compound that affected the metabolism of glucose. They named this compound
alpha-lipoic acid. The term refers to "lipid" or fat, since it was not
soluble in water. Initially scientists focused on its role in sugar metabolism.
However, in the 1980s, its powerful antioxidant capabilities were discovered.
The research with this nutrient has accelerated over the past few years. Various
patents have been taken, and researchers are testing it for its
potential in fighting infections and inflammation, protecting nerve cells,
treating cardiovascular diseases, tumors, allergies, shielding against stomach
ulcers, and so on. Naturally, there�s no guarantee that alpha lipoic acid will
turn out to be appropriate for all these conditions.
Emails
I noticed a Doctor's Best ad promoting a "stabilized"
R-lipoic acid as much better absorbed.
We don't know what them mean by "stabilized R lipoic acid." It is quite
potent and effective as is, we don't see the need to make any changes. In fact,
many people may be overdosing themselves using too high dosages, and hence better absorption, even if true (which we seriously doubt), does
not seem to be such a good idea.
Combining with biotin
I am looking at taking Lipoic CR which has 800mg of
alpha-lipoic acid and 200 mcg biotin in one tablet. I have diabetes and this
product helps.
I don't see the necessity of taking it with biotin.
Q. Alpha Lipoic Acid - I have read that, because ALA crosses
the blood brain barrier, those with mercury amalgams should never take this, as
mercury could be transported into the brain. There are people who have posted
online (eg., "Andy Cutler chelation think tank�) saying that they nearly died
from ALA administration because of this. I can only assume that they are
deducing a valid cause/effect relationship. Whilst I know that I should
definitely have my amalgams removed in the near future, does Dr. Sahelian agree
with the idea that ALA should not be taken by those with amalgams?
A. Based on what I know so far, I have no reason to believe those
with dental mercury amalgams could not take small amounts of ALA. High doses of
lipoic acid can cause problems, as I have listed earlier in this page.